Engineering the Impossible: China’s “Three Yellow Rivers” | Song of the Yellow River

Goring Lake is the largest freshwater lake at the source of the Yellow River. Despite the fact that it lies over 4,200 meters above sea level, with temperatures below minus 15 degrees celsius and thin air, a group is preparing to head toward the center of the lake. From every November to April, the surface waters at the source of the Yellow River freeze over. To obtain more accurate hydrological data, the Maduo hydrological survey team conducts manual measurements each month. It takes about 40 minutes to break through the ice layer. There are currently over 7,000 hydrological monitoring sites across the Yellow River basin, including the Maduo hydrological station. Data from various sites is eventually consolidated to support the study of the Yellow River's hydrological patterns. Under the watchful eyes of countless people along its banks, the Yellow River is welcoming in another spring. As tiny trickles flow from the source, they gather strength until, eventually, they unite to become a mighty river, wending and winding its way through valleys, grasslands, deserts and fertile plains, and the time-honored ages of the Chinese nation. Now, in this new era, a brand new chapter is gradually unfolding for this great and historic river. On September 18, 2019, a historic and transformative symposium on the Yellow River basin was held in Zhengzhou, Henan province. At this meeting, President Xi Jinping clearly stated that ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin must be elevated to a major national strategy. To implement this strategy, the Communist Party of China Central Committee launched a series of measures, including the establishment of the Yellow River National Cultural Park in 2020, to preserve and pass on the Yellow River culture, and to promote this river as a vital symbol of Chinese civilization. From a natural river to a shared spiritual home for all of China's ethnic groups, the Yellow River and the ancient culture it nurtures are undergoing a vibrant revival as the Chinese nation advances toward lasting prosperity. Bai Hongye, head of the map team at the National Library of China, is leading her team in a comprehensive survey of ancient books and maps related to the Yellow River. The selected materials will be compiled into a volume. The ancient map that shocked Bai Hongye depicts the Yellow River breaching its embankments and flooding Kaifeng during the late Qing dynasty. When the Yellow River is at peace, China is at peace. Since the legendary Yu the Great tamed its floods, every Chinese dynasty has viewed the Yellow River management as vital to national stability, leaving behind numerous maps related to its control. These yellowed pages throw into sharp relief the hardships and wisdom of ancient water management. Unearthing the culture of Yellow River governance has also become one of the missions in building the Yellow River National Cultural Park. Measuring dimensions, organizing the chronology and contents of the documents, the labor of love required to create this compilation lasted three years. In 2022, Historical Documents on the Yellow River from the Collection of the National Library of China was officially published. The book comprises 583 documents covering topics such as river course changes, river disasters, hydraulic engineering techniques, and flood control projects. These records chronicle China's extensive efforts over millennia to understand and manage the Yellow River. The meandering Yellow River transports vast amounts of sediment along its thousands of kilometers. As such, the river behaves with a complexity that sets it apart from other world rivers. Compared with China's other great river, the Yangtze River, the Yellow River once carried an annual sediment load three times that of the Yangtze, despite having only one-seventeenth of its annual runoff. As the Yellow River enters the North China Plain in its lower reaches, its flow slows and water volume decreases, leading to massive sediment buildup in the riverbed. Over time, the riverbed rises above the surrounding ground, turning the river into a hanging river. The combination of scarce water and excessive sediment has historically made it prone to breaches and flooding during each flood season. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the CPC Central Committee has taken an integrated approach to the protection, management and development of the Yellow River. Late Chinese leader Mao Zedong once made a heartfelt appeal, work on the Yellow River must be well done. Now, after more than 70 years of exploration and practice, this great river is showing signs of renewed vitality. It's May 2021. With the flood season approaching, a large-scale flood simulation is set to take place here. Researchers have miniaturized the lower reaches of the Yellow River into an 800-meter-long model to study sediment transport patterns and observe flood flow dynamics in the downstream channel. Based on field surveys and computer-analyzed data, the staff carefully shapes various sections of the riverbed. Years of rigorous testing reveal that fly ash can better mimic the sediment characteristics of the Yellow River under model conditions. Before the test, water is sprayed over the model to match the moisture content of the real terrain. A bicycle is the most efficient way to navigate the Yellow River model. Zhang Enhui has studied the Yellow River sediment for nearly 40 years. She has witnessed the full development of the Yellow River model and deeply understands its importance. With the Yellow River model ready, it was time to open the sluice gates and release the water. During the experiment, the water volume was gradually increased. Staff recorded how the channel handled the flow under different discharge conditions and identified high-risk sections. After analysis, the results served as a reference for flood control planning. If the Yellow River model represents the river in a lab, there's another version that exists inside a computer. In the computer server room, vast amounts of data are stored covering hydrology, meteorology, hydraulic engineering, topography, and the environmental factors of the entire Yellow River basin. This serves as a super database. After analyzing and processing the data, researchers build a digital Yellow River. This simulated river can model water and sediment flow in real-time under various conditions, providing decision support for flood control strategies. By integrating multiple high-tech approaches to digitally simulate the Yellow River, this systematic project is known as the Digital Twin Yellow River. Together with a model Yellow River and the actual river flowing across the land, they're collectively referred to as the Three Yellow Rivers. Meanwhile, as the flood season approaches, a major initiative to address the sediment challenges of the real Yellow River is about to begin. In late June, a spectacular scene unfolds at the Xiaolongdi Water Conservancy Project, all courtesy of the Yellow River. Since 2002, a large volume of water has been released from Xiaolongdi Reservoir each year before the flood season. This event, lasting around 20 days, attracts countless tourists with its breathtaking display. This is the Yellow River's water sediment regulation. Sitting at the outlet of the final gorge section of the Middle Yellow River, just before the river enters the North China Plain, the Xiaolongdi Reservoir is the last major control point, which serves multiple purposes like flood control, irrigation, and power generation. Beneath the calm surface lies a massive buildup of sediment from the upper and middle reaches. As water levels fall, the sediment is exposed, forming surreal landscapes. If not discharged in time, it poses serious risks to both the Xiaolongdi Reservoir and downstream areas. Naturally, releasing the sediment requires a large volume of water. Coincidentally, before each flood season, Xiaolongdi Reservoir must lower its water level and release part of the water downstream to prepare for potential floods, making it an ideal time for water sediment regulation. Sanmenxia, the first water control project built in the People's Republic of China, is located just 130 kilometers from the Xiaolongdi Reservoir. During the later stages of water release from Xiaolongdi, the water is discharged from the Xiaolongdi Reservoir Water from Sanmenxia is discharged to help maintain momentum for water and sediment regulation. The water turns from clear to muddy and darkens in color. This indicates that sediment from the reservoir bottom is being flushed out. As the water volume and flow speed increase, sediment from channels is also carried toward the sea, allowing the Yellow River to flow eastward more swiftly and freely. From regulating sediment and water over 1,500 kilometers to tracking the movement of a single drop of water or grain of sand, these efforts have made the Yellow River Basin a model of river governance in China and beyond. The Chinese nation's thousand-year dream of a peaceful Yellow River has now become a reality. In July, as the water and sediment regulation ends, fine sediment from Xiaolongdi Reservoir and downstream channels is carried to the estuary, where it settles and forms new land. Our daily job is to monitor and monitor. The main focus is on the birds, mainly their species, number, distribution, status, and so on. Every year, millions of migratory birds use the Yellow River Delta wetlands as a stopover on their journey. Look, the birds are getting up. Since Zhao Yajie began working in the reserve in 2014, she has witnessed firsthand the Yellow River Delta's ecological transformation. A tidal tree is a remarkable landscape formed where the Yellow River mudflats meet ocean tides. It's a dynamic paradise for intertidal animals, shaped by the combined forces of river and sea. These tiny creatures are collectively known as benthic organisms. They feed on plankton in the water and, in turn, serve as food for many fish and water birds. The rich biodiversity has created the most complete and expansive wetland system in China's warm temperate zone. Its balance and stability depend heavily on water from the Yellow River. Since 2008, to protect this ecosystem, ecological water replenishment has been conducted in the Yellow River Delta annually during the Yellow River's water and sediment regulation period. Yellow River water is channeled through diversion canals to every corner of the wetlands, where it's stored to create year-round aquatic habitats. In the time since the reserve was established in 1992, the wetland environment has greatly improved, and the number of bird species has increased from 187 at the beginning to 374 today. Numbered among these is the globally endangered oriental white stork. Now, the Yellow River Delta is the world's largest breeding ground for oriental white storks. Accurate data collection is made possible through technological support. Since 2021, Zhao Yajie and her team have used big data and AI to identify bird species and track their populations. At the Ecological Monitoring Center, wetlands can be observed and monitored via a large screen. This system is known as an integrated sky-ground monitoring network. As the tides rise and fall, the lively scenes that unfold reflect the harmony that exists between humanity and nature. Home to countless species and 420 million people, the Yellow River Basin is a truly unified ecosystem. From the upper to the lower reaches, various diverse yet coordinated protection efforts are underway simultaneously. As a crucial water conservation area, the upper reaches of the Yellow River continue to witness the implementation of initiatives such as returning grazing lands to grasslands and restoring wetlands. As the primary source of sediment in the Yellow River, the Loess Plateau has seen vegetation coverage increase by about 59% since the early years of the People's Republic of China, while sediment inflow into the river has dropped by nearly 88%. Currently in the Yellow River Basin, beyond the source region, now part of the Three River Source National Park, new national parks are being established in areas such as the Qinling Mountains, Taihang Mountains, and the Yellow River Delta. Meanwhile, the Yellow River National Cultural Park, spanning the entire basin, has taken on the important mission of promoting cultural heritage. Over the course of 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, the Yellow River Basin served as the country's political, economic, and cultural center for over 3,000 years. In this region of diverse ethnic coexistence, the Great River has borne witness to a long history of harmony and integration among different ethnic groups. From ancient songs and dances, to folk customs, craftsmanship, cultural relics, and historic architecture, countless cultural treasures line its banks. How can they shine in the new era? From the national level to the nine provincial-level administrations along the Yellow River, and down to countless individuals, efforts are being made at all levels. In the early morning, over 80-year-old Luo Jianmin once again visits Dangjia Village with his daughter. He knows every alley like the back of his hand, and the village's history by heart. About three kilometers from Dangjia Village lies a key geographical point on the Yellow River, the Longmen Section. The Shanjin Grand Canyon is the longest continuous canyon along the main course of the Yellow River, stretching 725 kilometers. Its endpoint is Longmen. After passing through the Longmen Section, the river suddenly widens from a few dozen meters to several thousand meters, making it a historically important ferry crossing for river transport. Around 1271 AD, the Dang family fled famine and settled in Hancheng. Relying on transport and trade, over time they came to prosper. During the subsequent Ming and Qing dynasties, the Dang family built residences, ancestral halls, watchtowers, temples, and other structures over a century. Today, these buildings still retain much of their original character. Dang Jianchuan is a 20th generation descendant of this residence. The long courtyard holds the memories of his 70-plus years of life. Today, Luo Jianmin is making an ink rubbing for Dang Jianchuan. Intricate brick carvings and woodwork are key features of Dangjia Village architecture, with inscriptions and calligraphic engravings adding a more distinctive touch throughout the village. Among the over 120 residences in Dangjia Village, nearly every household has ancestral teachings carved for future generations. Passing down the family legacy of agriculture and learning, and upholding propriety and righteousness, these concise phrases reflect family traditions and rules, and embody the heritage of China's traditional agrarian civilization. Luo Jianmin has repeated the process of making rubbings and tracing them countless times. His early work as a film projectionist took him to every corner of Hancheng. Located about 10 kilometers from Dangjia Village, the ancient city of Hancheng was founded around 581 AD, and still retains architecture from the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Since being designated a National Historical and Cultural City in 1986, Hancheng has preserved its original appearance and lively daily life through scientific planning and conservation efforts. Currently, over 20 national historical and cultural cities lie across the Yellow River Basin, including Hancheng. Cities like Luoyang, Xi'an, and Kaifeng, once imperial capitals, shine with the brightest brilliance of Chinese civilization. These culturally rich ancient cities are exactly the symbolic identity that the Yellow River National Cultural Park is dedicated to preserving. To focus on establishing key symbols of Chinese culture, the Construction and Protection Plan for the Yellow River National Cultural Park was officially issued in 2023. As the nine provinces and regions along the Yellow River work to coordinate their diverse cultures and jointly build a globally influential showcase of the Yellow River civilization, more and more ideas are being put into action. Amid the bustling crowd, Li Juan and a young animation team are standing before a display case. This sachet from around 618 AD was popular during the Tang dynasty. Inside is a small incense cup for holding fragrant herbs. To Li Juan and her team, this sachet perfectly fits an upcoming online event they are preparing. The Yellow River Basin Museum Alliance was established in 2019 by nine provincial museums along the Yellow River to explore innovative media and channels for preserving and promoting Yellow River culture. To date, it has organized several joint exhibitions. As International Museum Day approaches, preparations are in full swing. Nine artifacts, each representing cultural elements from regions such as the Yellow River-Huangshui River area, Hertao Plain, Shanxi Province, Guanzhong Plain, Yellow River-Luoshui River area, and Shandong Province, have been selected from nine museums and will be featured in a series of animated shorts. On April 28, 2024, the animated short film series Harmonious Coexistence Along the Yellow River premiered online. As deep history is reimagined through engaging and accessible digital content, many museums are also upgrading their physical spaces with innovative installations to enhance the visitor experience. Efforts to bring the Yellow River culture closer to the public are steadily advancing. Every day, crowds of visitors pass through rammed earth walls into this fantastical space. Dozens of theaters set in various scenes form a cluster inspired by the Yellow River civilization where nearly 1,000 actors bring iconic figures from Chinese history to life. Depicting the history of the Central Plains from the legendary Xia Dynasty to modern times, 125 performances totaling 4,050 minutes are staged daily. Each year, on the grain-in-ear solar term, audiences leaving the theater witness a grand ritual ceremony. Outside the theater, over 70,000 square meters of specially cultivated wheat fields are ready for harvest. Repeated harvests and sowings take place here. Throughout history, the tireless year-after-year labor of countless people has sustained the continuity of Chinese civilization. Every element and image, whether the grain, loess, hardship, or beauty, tells the story of the Yellow River. In the new era, Yellow River culture is increasingly being explored, felt, and transformed into a powerful spiritual force that fosters identity and belonging. The construction of the Yellow River National Cultural Park is also gathering momentum for high-quality development across the river basin. This fish pond lies about 20 kilometers west of the Yellow River. As the nets are gradually tightened, more and more fish leap from the water. The pond is home to a mix of economically valuable fish species. Accordingly, the first task for the harvesters is to sort the catch by type. After a busy morning, the catch is delivered to Yinchuan's aquatic markets. Though the species vary, all are known as rice field fish. This agricultural park, which integrates rice cultivation, vegetable growing, and various aquatic products, is called the rice fish space. All water used for planting and farming is sourced from the Yellow River. The water flowing out is tailwater from aquaculture. Channeled through canals, it irrigates rice fields. Once purified by the rice paddies, the water is returned to the fish pond. This closed-loop recycling system greatly conserves the Yellow River water. The northern Ningxiahui Autonomous Region, including the rice fish space, is situated at a lower elevation than the Yellow River. As early as 221 BC, the ancient Chinese were already diverting the Yellow River water for irrigation through canals. In contrast, another part of Ningxia presents a very different landscape. In April, as the dusty winds blow, the people of Jiangtan village begin their annual spring irrigation. Though the Yellow River remains the water source, locals have only been using it for less than 50 years. Ningxia's terrain is higher in the south and lower in the north. Counties like Tongxin, Xiji, Haiyuan, and Guyuan in the central and southern regions lie in hilly areas, several hundred meters above the main course of the Yellow River. To address drought and water scarcity, China has successively constructed three major water diversion projects, lifting water from the Yellow River by over 380 meters and bringing vitality to over 1,067 square kilometers of land along their route. To conserve precious Yellow River water, water-saving irrigation methods like drip and sprinkler systems are widely promoted in the region. Locals understand that every drop of Yellow River water is priceless. Flowing from its origin, the Yellow River gathers about 60% of its total water volume before reaching Lanzhou. However, as it passes through arid northwest China, it receives little replenishment from tributaries. The limited runoff of the Yellow River supports agriculture, industry, domestic use, and ecological needs in nine provinces and regions along its course, extending water supply to parts of Hebei Province and Tianjin, as well as Beijing. To ensure the rational and sustainable use of Yellow River water resources, since the founding of the People's Republic of China, over 30 dams have been built along the Yellow River's main stream, and a globally pioneering and unique river management initiative has been put in place. Water is the source of life and the foundation of human development. In 2020, the Ningxiahui Autonomous Region, long known for its water scarcity, took on a vital mission. Beneath the Helan Mountains, the Yellow River nourishes oases in the arid lands. With the attention and expectations of the entire basin, this region in northwest China is boldly reforming and writing a new chapter in the annals of development. Hydrological sampling is conducted daily in this transitional section between the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. However, the water being monitored here comes from the Yangtze River Basin. The green waters of the Yangtze River flow calmly beneath the Yellow River's riverbed. Northern China faces water scarcity, while the south enjoys an abundance. The idea of crossing the north-south divide to balance water resources between the two regions, a poetic and romantic vision, was first proposed by Mao Zedong during his 1950s inspection of the Yellow River. Fifty years later, the South-to-North Water Diversion Project was launched and has now turned this vision into a reality. The Yangtze and Yellow Rivers, together, have nurtured Chinese civilization and now drive the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. In 2021, the outline of the Yellow River Basin's Ecological Protection and High-Quality Development Plan was issued. As part of this national strategy, the Yellow River Basin will leverage the development of the Yangtze River Basin and the Yangtze River Basin as an international corridor to integrate into both national and global economies. The plan focuses on accelerating the development of major grain-producing and energy-rich zones and transforming five major urban clusters along the river into new poles of economic growth. This grand vision is called One Axis Two Zones and Five Poles. Smooth transportation across the nine provinces and autonomous regions of the Yellow River is crucial for facilitating the flow and concentration of resources and production factors between regions. The Zhengzhou International Landport is always bustling. Here, the distinction between day and night is scarcely detectable. Tens of thousands of containers arrive here daily, while vast quantities of goods are shipped to destinations worldwide. This area is the core birthplace of Chinese civilization. For 5,000 years, convergence, exchange, and communication have been central themes here. This is one of more than 5,900 China-Europe Rail Express freight trains operating annually. After departing from Zhengzhou, it reaches Lanzhou in just two days. After inspection and a locomotive change, the train sets off again. The train travels westward, crossing the Yellow River, national borders, and embodying thousands of years of magnificent history. Beneath the vast sky, the great river flows ceaselessly, day and night. Every drop of water has its origin, and every grain of sand its destination. Likewise, the Chinese nation has been nurtured and shaped by the Yellow River. As it rolls on glitteringly, the Chinese see themselves reflected in the currents of this mighty river. But while looking back at history, they nevertheless strive to find the wave of the future.