Longyangxia Reservoir

Longyangxia Reservoir

Situated on the upper reaches of the Yellow River in Gonghe County, Qinghai, it is the first gorge after the river flows through the vast grasslands of Qinghai and enters the canyon section. The gorge is only 30 meters wide, with steep granite cliffs rising nearly 200 meters high—making it an ideal site for dam construction. The expansive grasslands above the dam also serve as an excellent water storage basin. The dam stands 178 meters tall, making it the highest dam in China, and the reservoir has a total capacity of 24.7 billion cubic meters. Its massive water storage capacity regulates the Yellow River’s flow during dry seasons, and its power generation ranks second only to the Gezhouba and Baishan hydropower stations.

The man-made Longyangxia Reservoir has become a stunning tourist attraction. The dam tames the Yellow River, transforming the deep gorge into a serene lake. With its shimmering blue waters and picturesque reflections of mountains and sky, a boat ride around the lake offers breathtaking views of the open sky and vast wilderness, leaving visitors refreshed and amazed. It’s here that one truly realizes the Yellow River’s waters are “clear”—this pristine clarity is a gift of nature and a result of human ingenuity in harnessing and reshaping the river.