Fengqing Xiaowan Hydropower Station

Fengqing Xiaowan Hydropower Station

The Xiaowan Hydropower Station is located in Xiaowan Town, northeast of Fengqing County, about 49 kilometers from the county seat. The Lancang River and the Heihui River flow mightily toward Xiaowan like two green dragons, shaping the natural landscape along their banks over centuries into one of “sheer cliffs and towering peaks, deep valleys with crystal-clear blue waters, rare birds and animals roaming the forests, and vast fertile fields bordering the river.”

The Xiaowan Hydropower Station is one of the priority projects under Yunnan’s Western Development Initiative. It serves as the “leading” hydropower station and water-regulating reservoir in the cascade development of the Lancang River. Situated at the confluence of the Lancang and Heihui Rivers, the station has a total installed capacity of 4.2 million kilowatts, a reservoir capacity of 15.1 billion cubic meters, and a dam height of 292 meters — the tallest double-curvature arch dam in the world. With a total investment exceeding 42 billion yuan, it generates 18.89 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. “A mighty dam harnesses millions of cubic meters of river water, while six turbines spin to deliver billions of volts of electric light.” With the completion of the permanent Lancang River Bridge and the closure of the dam, the spectacular hundred-mile-long reservoir will showcase breathtaking views of steep cliffs and picturesque waters dotted with green islands. Waterway trade and tourism routes from Xiaowan to Dali, Baoshan, and Manwan will become navigable. The grand industrial landscape and the charming, scenic town will be a must-visit destination for travelers.

The tourism plan for the Xiaowan Hydropower Station has entered the feasibility study phase. It will feature the “Xiaowan Hydropower Station Hundred-Mile-Long Lake Sightseeing Tour” and the “Xiaowan Eco-Resort Tour.” Between the power station and the new town, attractions such as the “Power Station Observation Deck,” “Qingsong Pavilion,” “Taihua House,” and “Warm Garden” will be developed to meet visitors’ needs for sightseeing, leisure, tea tasting, and entertainment. From the observation deck, visitors can enjoy the morning mist on the Lancang River at dawn, admire the “Pearl of the Lancang” at night, and take in the full view of the power station and the new town during the day.

The Xiaowan Eco-Tourism Area mainly includes the Xiaowan Hydropower Station, the hundred-mile-long high-mountain reservoir, Yulong Pool, Black Dragon Pool, Huangcaoba Reservoir, the 48-Valley River Forest Scenic Area, the ancient Xiangzhu Tea Tree known as the “Mother of Tea Kings,” the historical site where Xu Xiake tasted Taihua Tea, and the Qinglong Bridge.

Xiaowan Town: I. General Information

Originally named Maxi Yi Ethnic Township, Xiaowan Town was upgraded to a town in 1993 in anticipation of the construction opportunities brought by the Xiaowan Hydropower Station. Located northeast of Fengqing County on the southern bank of the Lancang River, the town covers a total area of 204 square kilometers, with elevations ranging from 987 to 2,804 meters and an average annual temperature of 16.7°C. Average annual rainfall is 1,380.7 millimeters. The town administers 12 village committees and 177 villager groups, with a total of 25,504 mu of arable land, including 7,198 mu of paddy fields and 18,306 mu of dryland. In 2002, the total... More detailed information on Xiaowan Town++