Jianjiangyan irrigation system added to world heritage list

First constructed in 141 BC, the Jianjiangyan irrigation system adopts a weir design that splits the water flow at a level crest, forming a network of nine distributary channels.

This effectively solved the problem of the Jianjiang River's high seasonal flow, which previously caused spring droughts and summer floods, enabling the rational distribution of water throughout the year, according to water conservancy experts.

By leveraging shallow groundwater resources, the locals also dug more than 300 ponds fed by artesian springs, creating a continuous-flow irrigation system that utilizes both surface water and groundwater.