Huyuan Water Conservancy Scenic Area

Huyuan Water Conservancy Scenic Area

Huyuan Water Conservancy Scenic Area is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and a national water conservancy scenic area.

Huyuan Water Conservancy Scenic Area is situated in Fanshi County in the northeastern part of Shanxi Province. It borders Mount Heng (the Northern Sacred Mountain) to the north, faces the Buddhist holy site of Mount Wutai to the south, guards the world-renowned Pingxing Pass to the east, and adjoins Dai County to the west, connecting with Yanmen Pass. Known as the “Northern Gate of the Buddhist Realm,” the “Source of the Hutuo River,” and the “Eastern Gateway of Shanxi,” the area is characterized by its mountainous terrain where nearly every peak offers a view, and every view is complemented by a temple. With a dense distribution of temples, the region earned the name “Fanshi.” The area boasts outstanding people, rich natural resources, simple folk customs, profound cultural heritage, historical sites scattered throughout, and abundant resources. Historical evidence shows that humans have inhabited this land since the Neolithic Age. According to the *Fanshi County Annals*, over 2,000 years ago during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, Fanshi was already within the territory of the ancient State of Jin. The terrain of Fanshi County is shaped like two mountains embracing a river valley, with an average elevation of over 1,000 meters. The Gouzhu Mountain Range, an extension of Mount Heng, stretches east to west, forming a majestic natural barrier along the northern mountains of Fanshi. The nationally renowned Pingxing Pass is situated here. Due to its strategic location, Fanshi has been a heavily militarized and highly valued stronghold throughout various dynasties.

Huyuan Water Conservancy Scenic Area is a comprehensive scenic zone centered around the source of the Hutuo River and its river sections within Fanshi County, including the Yangyan River, Ehe River, Qingyang River, Gushan Reservoir, Longshan Reservoir, Hushan Reservoir, and Xiaruyue Reservoir, integrated with surrounding natural and cultural tourism resources. The total area spans 2,368 square kilometers, with the core zone covering 800 square kilometers. The remaining areas within the planned scope are designated for ecological restoration and protection. The main rivers in the scenic area are the Hutuo River and Qingyang River, both part of the Haihe River Basin. The Hutuo River flows east to west across the county, entering Dai County west of Bifeng Village, covering a river length of 80 km and a drainage area of 1,938 km². The Qingyang River originates from Guhuayan Village on the eastern side of the Eastern Summit of Mount Wutai in Fanshi County, belonging to the Daqing River system as one of its most upstream tributaries. It flows eastward through Shentangbao Township before entering the Daqing River in Fuping County, Hebei Province. Its main channel within the county is 36 km long, with a drainage area of 437 km². The Ehe River is located in the southwestern part of Fanshi County and is the largest tributary of the upper Hutuo River. It originates from Dadonggou on the western side of the Northern Summit of Mount Wutai, flows through 56 administrative villages in Yantou Township, and joins the Hutuo River at Jiuliujiuxin Village in Dai County. The Ehe River controls a drainage area of 394.67 km² within Fanshi County. The Yangyan River, a first-level tributary of the Hutuo River, originates from Wanghaifeng Peak on the Eastern Summit of Mount Wutai in Fanshi County. It flows northward through 35 administrative villages, including Boqiang and Dongshan, and joins the Hutuo River east of Wanfendi Village in Jiyizhuang Township. Its total drainage area is 203.47 km². The scenic surroundings are picturesque, and Fanshi County has been honored with titles such as “National Sanitary County,” “Provincial Environmental Model City,” “Advanced County in Urban-Rural Clean-Up Project,” and “Flagship County in Farmland Water Conservancy Infrastructure Construction.”

The scenic area has a temperate continental climate with distinct seasons, pleasant weather, no severe summer heat or extreme winter cold, short summers and long winters. Winters are cold and dry, while summers are hot and rainy, featuring significant temperature variations and synchronized rainfall and heat. Due to complex terrain, there is notable vertical climatic variation, with an average annual temperature of 6.3°C. January temperatures range from 0°C to 10°C, and July temperatures range from 23°C to 24°C. The extreme minimum temperature is -24.3°C, and the extreme maximum is 37.6°C. The area receives an average of 2,906 hours of sunshine annually, with most precipitation concentrated between July and September, averaging about 400 mm per year. The area is rich in natural medicinal herb resources. According to county records, there are over 90 types of medicinal herbs in the county, with 81 varieties commonly collected.

Additionally, the region boasts abundant specialty products such as Nanshan matsutake mushrooms, Shentangbao Red Fuji apples, walnuts, Zhaozhuang white-fleshed apricots, Nanguan minor grains, Jizhuang melons, and Yantou medicinal herbs, all of which are well-known across the province. Shanxi embroidery from Jinxiu Textile Embroidery Workshop and Xinghe silverware have been listed as provincial intangible cultural heritages. In 2010, they were showcased at the Shanghai World Expo, gaining international acclaim.

Huyuan Water Conservancy Scenic Area is framed by Mount Heng to the north, Mount Wutai to the south, and the Hutuo River Valley connecting the two, forming a unique geomorphological landscape. It boasts exceptionally rich tourism resources, including 56 cultural heritage sites of various levels, among which five are under national protection and six under provincial protection. Pingxing Pass, nestled among continuous mountains and steep gorges, gained worldwide fame for the first major victory in the War of Resistance against Japan. The Songshan Temple, hidden among lush pines and cypresses, captivates visitors with its Jin Dynasty murals, hailed as the “No. 1 Murals in Asia” for their timeless charm. The Princess Temple, preserved through time, moves hearts with its poignant and intriguing folk legends. The Mimo Cliff (Tianjing Grand Canyon), one of China’s top ten canyon landscapes, features dramatic cliffs and unparalleled craftsmanship, leaving visitors in awe of its breathtaking beauty. Natural wonders such as Bifeng Arch Beauty, Guifeng Ancient Pines, Yanshan Layered Greenery, Taibei Ice Cliffs, Three Springs Gushing, Chimney City Reflection, Gushan Sunset Glow, Eling Autumn Reds, and Yukou Clear Mist, along with their magical and moving legends, further enchant visitors.

“The vast Hutuo River flows, autumn warhorses neigh, / That day’s crossing remembered, / A general’s simple meal repays the deed.” This poem, *Three Springs Gushing*, written by the local late Qing poet Gong Sanjie during the Xianfeng era, not only depicts the magnificent scene of the three springs of the Hutuo River surging with vast waters but also transports readers to those tumultuous war-torn times. The Hutuo River, a major tributary of the Haihe River, originates at the foot of TaiXiu Mountain east of Qiaogou Village in Hengjian Township, Fanshi County.

The water landscapes of Huyuan Water Conservancy Scenic Area mainly consist of the Hutuo River, Ehe River, and Qingyang River, all known for their clear waters and excellent suitability for water-based activities. Especially on sunny days, the Ehe and Qingyang Rivers flow gently, transforming into cascading waterfalls after rain. The 80-km-long Hutuo River submerges underground between Shanglangjian and Jianyu, emerging west of Xingwangzhuang Village, with a 20-km underground section forming a unique “subterranean dragon probing water” phenomenon. Over time, this gave rise to the legendary tale of the “Hutuo Hidden Current.” The area’s hydrological features are marked by diverse forms and a pristine, natural aesthetic, with highlights such as the Three Springs Gushing, Taiping Gully Waterfall, and Lovers’ Valley offering distinctive charm.

In recent years, with strong support from various levels of government, the development of Huyuan Water Conservancy Scenic Area has progressed comprehensively, with visitor numbers increasing annually. In 2012, the area was successfully designated as a provincial water conservancy scenic spot. It now harmoniously blends natural ecology, urban garden features, and cultural elements including mountains, water, forests, folk culture, as well as Buddhist and Taoist influences, serving as a leisure, entertainment, sightseeing, and vacation destination. It has made significant contributions to the local tourism economy.

The Fanshi County Party Committee and government, leveraging the county’s unique tourism resources, have adopted the theme “At the Foot of Mount Wutai, Red Huyuan, Bountiful Landscapes, Hidden Dragons, Ancient Temples’ Zen Charm, and Enduring Blessings” for the scenic area’s future development. Their goal is to establish a top-tier national water conservancy scenic area and a moderately scaled eco-tourism and leisure wellness destination. They aim to integrate tourism resource development, industry growth, environmental enhancement, and cultural cultivation, while increasing investment in tourism infrastructure.

Fanshi County has an extensive network of rivers and relatively abundant water resources, with over 30 rivers of varying sizes. The county has four medium and small reservoirs: Xiaruyue, Gushan, Hushan, and Longshan. The static groundwater reserves amount to 2.579 billion tons per year, with an exploitable volume of 420 million tons annually. Among them, the Gushan Reservoir controls a catchment area of 108 km², with a total capacity of 12.274 million m³. The Xiaruyue Reservoir controls a catchment area of 1,356 km², with a total capacity of 28.69 million m³. The Hushan Reservoir controls a catchment area of 84 km² above its dam site, with a total capacity of 4.61 million m³. The Longshan Reservoir has a total capacity of 6.9 million m³ and controls a catchment area of 135 km².

In recent years, following the principles of scientific and rational development, resource conservation, efficient utilization, and comprehensive protection, Fanshi County has vigorously promoted its “Water Development Strategy,” extensively publicizing soil and water conservation laws and regulations. In 2007, the county government implemented comprehensive management of the urban section of the Hutuo River, constructing rubber dams to regulate water flow, creating a beautiful riverside park. Additionally, projects such as a sewage treatment plant, landfill, Bixiu Park, and Yixingzhai ecological restoration have been developed. To date, the county has treated 74,480 hectares of eroded land, including 2,450 hectares of terraced fields, 500 hectares of gully dam fields, 1,000 hectares of beach land, 4,112.2332323 hectares of dry flatlands, 50,020 hectares of soil and water conservation forests, 9,820 hectares of grass planting, and 6,580 hectares of forested mountain conservation.

Concurrently, significant efforts have been made to improve transportation infrastructure around the scenic area. Since 2007, comprehensive management of the urban Hutuo River section has been underway. The riverside park extends 1,000 meters east and west from the Hutuo River Bridge as the central axis, spanning 200 meters in width, with a 400,000 m² total area and 96,000 m² of green space, at a total investment of over 70 million yuan. An annual afforestation fund of 1 million yuan is allocated for Bixiu Park. Over the next five years, new reservoirs including the 9.9 million m³ Yangshuwan Reservoir and the 5 million m³ Tongziya Reservoir will be constructed to enhance the county’s water regulation capacity. This year, the 29.27 million yuan Yanyan River management project has excavated 149,000 m³ of earth, laid 55,000 m³ of mortar stone, dredged 43,000 m³ of riverbed, and completed 14.5 km of dam construction, with 16.44 million yuan invested. Development projects themed around “Majestic Mountains, Vast Waters, Grand Forests, Expansive Grasslands, and Rich Culture,” such as the Taiping Gully eco-tourism area and the Mao Zedong Route Residence Memorial, are planned with investments underway.

A total of 230 million yuan is earmarked. Initial investment reached 26 million yuan, with 35 million yuan planned for 2013 to develop the Lujv Square and Gold Mine Museum. The 16.11 million yuan parking lot project for Boqiang and Chafang villages has been approved, with applications for higher-level funding in progress. The detailed plan for the 25.51 million yuan Wutai Mountain Hiking Trail (Northern Route) is nearing completion. The urban section of the scenic area is set to begin its second-phase development, expanding 3.8 km eastward from the existing riverside park with an additional 300 million yuan investment. Key works include river management, emergency roads, and water recreation facilities. In recent years, Fanshi County has welcomed 425,000 tourists, including 185,000 in 2011, generating 19.5 million yuan in tourism revenue. Currently, the area hosts one four-star hotel in Fanshen Town and one five-star hotel in Shahe Town.

The water resources of Huyuan Water Conservancy Scenic Area primarily consist of rivers, springs, and groundwater. The drinking water quality meets surface water environmental standards, free from sediments, debris, oil, odors, or harmful substances, making it safe for direct consumption.

Huyuan Water Conservancy Scenic Area enjoys convenient transportation, with the Linghe Expressway, Beijing-Yuan Railway, and National Highway 108 passing through. It serves as a key transport hub for Shanxi, Hebei, and Inner Mongolia, as well as a central transit point for northern Shanxi tourism. It connects eastward to Beijing and westward to Taiyuan, with multiple routes linking north-south, including the Shaying, Shatai, Fanwu, and Dawang lines—essential passages for the Wutai-Datong tourism area. Shahe Town is a pivotal node in northern Shanxi’s transport network and tourism circuit.

In line with the scenic area’s application process and practical needs, Fanshi County strictly adheres to national tourism standards, focusing on breakthroughs in transportation, infrastructure, environment, management, and services. The county government, guided by the philosophy of “strict protection and sustainable use,” commissioned the Ministry of Water Resources in 2012 to develop a master plan for the Huyuan Scenic Area, along with detailed plans for key zones. A dedicated Huyuan Water Conservancy Scenic Area Management Committee has been established, with comprehensive regulations and staff including guides, security, and cleaning personnel to ensure safety and maintenance.

Clear safety signage and essential firefighting equipment have been installed to safeguard facilities. These improvements have created an idyllic environment where “clear springs emerge at the source, autumn hues dye the waters, shimmering light dances on the surface, and mountains and rivers blend into the breathtaking first spectacle of the Hutuo River.”

Clear safety warning signs have been installed, and necessary firefighting equipment has been provided to ensure the safe operation of the project and equipment. This has improved the infrastructure construction of the tourist attraction, creating a beautiful environment where clear spring water gushes from its source, autumn hues tint the blue waves, shimmering light glows golden, and mountains and waters blend in reflection—suddenly forming the foremost scenic wonder of the Hutuo River stretching for thousands of miles.