Looking for ancient tech that's cooler than your smartphone? Meet Baopingkou (literally 'bottle mouth') – the 2,200-year-old sluice that's been keeping floods and droughts in check on the Chengdu Plain! 🌊🏞️
Carved between Yulei Mountain and Lidui on the Chinese mainland's Minjiang River by engineer Li Bing, this 40 m-long, 17 m-wide channel was handcrafted using simple fire-and-water techniques. By adjusting its bottle-shaped neck (19-23 m wide depending on the season), Baopingkou smartly regulates water intake, channeling just the right flow downstream.
But that's not all. Right next door, the Feisha Weir acts like a giant filter – deflecting excess flow and spinning out 75% of suspended silt using centrifugal force. Together, these structures form Dujiangyan Irrigation System’s dynamic duo, saving crops from floods and keeping fields lush during dry spells for over two millennia.
Why should you care? Beyond the Insta-worthy vibes, Baopingkou is a testament to sustainable design – ancient 'green engineering' before the term even existed! 🌱🔧
Next time you're enjoying spicy hotpot in Chengdu, remember that this masterpiece has kept the region thriving since 256 BCE. If you’re planning a trip (or just daydreaming), add Dujiangyan to your travel list – it’s history and heart in one epic spot.
Stay curious and keep exploring. Who knew ancient China could inspire modern sustainability hacks? 😉
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
