The on-going construction engineering of Xiangyang Han River Wanshan Pump Station – namely the node project of the Three Connected Rivers Program – has witnessed the successful trial water delivery of its diversion canal at the end of last month.

The Three Connected Rivers Program, whose full name is “Han River-Nanqu Ditch (Xiang River)- City Moat” Watercourse Connection Project, will run from the establishment of Pumping Station at Wanshan section of Han River, to extend via diversion canal and Nanqu Ditch before it finally connects to the city moat. With the program in place, Han River will be finally channeled to city moat to add more vibration to the time-honored city. As planned by the program, witThe on-going construction engineering of Xiangyang Han River Wanshan Pump Station – namely the node project of the Three Connected Rivers Program – has witnessed the successful trial water delivery of its diversion canal at the end of last month.

The Three Connected Rivers Program, whose full name is “Han River-Nanqu Ditch (Xiang River)- City Moat” Watercourse Connection Project, will run from the establishment of Pumping Station at Wanshan section of Han River, to extend via diversion canal and Nanqu Ditch before it finally connects to the city moat. With the program in place, Han River will be finally channeled to city moat to add more vibration to the time-honored city. As planned by the program, within several years, cruise ship tour will be introduced to the city moat of five kilometers long, providing leisure sightseeing of ancient city wall and bustling street view.

As a matter of fact, the massive program is only one part of an even ambitious program – the Nine Connected Rivers Program in Xiangyang City.

Endowed with unparalleled geographical conditions, Xiangyang City has Xian Mountain lie within its urban territory and Han River flow throughout itself. However, due to various reasons, the unique landscape recourses got obscured in Xiangyang city during recent years. Approved at the 8th Session of the Twelfth Xiangyang Municipal People's Congress which was held at the end of 2013, the ambitious Nine Connected Rivers Program is dedicated to making best use of the abound water resources in Xiangyang City, improving urban quality and upgrading the city into garden city nourished by water and mountains.

Dotted along the both banks of Han River, the nine rivers - namely Han River, Tangbai River, Xiaoqing River, Qili River (Dali Ravine), Nanqu Ditch, Lianshan Ravine, Gun River, Chun River, Haoran River - together with the 0.6 million square meters of city moat run through urban areas of Xiangyang City like vital urban vessels. However, as a result of poor care and protection, such precious rivers were reduced to eyesores in the city after gradually getting narrowed and stinky.

According to Zhang Li, Head of Nine Rivers Office of Xiangyang Municipal Water Conservancy Bureau, the ecological diversion project of Qili River has basically come to end, turning the fetid drainage ditch into fresh watercourse. Also, Xiaoqing River was under treatment now. The engineering project of Haoran River, which will last seven to eight kilometers and run through Dongjin New District upon completion, has basically taken shape. The construction of high-end Han River Wetland Eco-park is also under way too. Ongoing construction project for green urban landscapes similar to Wuhan River Beach has been partially open to residents already.

Winding at the foot of Xian Mountain, Nanqu Ditch was dubbed Xiang River in ancient time. In traditional Chinese culture, places located to the south of mountain and north of river are termed as yang (meaning geographically superiority). The ancient Xiangyang City, which was sprawling to the north of Xiang River, thus gained its name as Xiangyang. Nanqu Ditch functions as another natural city moat for Xiangyang City as it intercepts the flood coming from Xian Mountain. In the early years, the water body in Nanqu Ditch had been connected to city moat. Unfortunately, it was about to be blocked due to terrible pollution. Thanks to the dredging efforts, the water body now flows freely again to continually bring blessing to the time-honored city and its people.

The large plaza which is sandwiched between Nanqu Ditch and Xian Mountain and about to be completed soon attracts local citizens walking around and climbing the mountains at weekends.

The nine connected rivers have been renovated into watercourse with flood controlling function, waterfront greenways and humanity gallery. Natural and cultural wonders are seen harmoniously coexisting along the watercourse of the nine connected rivers. Xiangyang, a city known for its historical figures, legends and cultural legacies, is now nourished and connected by nine rivers and ready to embrace a better future.

hin several years, cruise ship tour will be introduced to the city moat of five kilometers long, providing leisure sightseeing of ancient city wall and bustling street view.

As a matter of fact, the massive program is only one part of an even ambitious program – the Nine Connected Rivers Program in Xiangyang City.

Endowed with unparalleled geographical conditions, Xiangyang City has Xian Mountain lie within its urban territory and Han River flow throughout itself. However, due to various reasons, the unique landscape recourses got obscured in Xiangyang city during recent years. Approved at the 8th Session of the Twelfth Xiangyang Municipal People's Congress which was held at the end of 2013, the ambitious Nine Connected Rivers Program is dedicated to making best use of the abound water resources in Xiangyang City, improving urban quality and upgrading the city into garden city nourished by water and mountains.

Dotted along the both banks of Han River, the nine rivers - namely Han River, Tangbai River, Xiaoqing River, Qili River (Dali Ravine), Nanqu Ditch, Lianshan Ravine, Gun River, Chun River, Haoran River - together with the 0.6 million square meters of city moat run through urban areas of Xiangyang City like vital urban vessels. However, as a result of poor care and protection, such precious rivers were reduced to eyesores in the city after gradually getting narrowed and stinky.

According to Zhang Li, Head of Nine Rivers Office of Xiangyang Municipal Water Conservancy Bureau, the ecological diversion project of Qili River has basically come to end, turning the fetid drainage ditch into fresh watercourse. Also, Xiaoqing River was under treatment now. The engineering project of Haoran River, which will last seven to eight kilometers and run through Dongjin New District upon completion, has basically taken shape. The construction of high-end Han River Wetland Eco-park is also under way too. Ongoing construction project for green urban landscapes similar to Wuhan River Beach has been partially open to residents already.

Winding at the foot of Xian Mountain, Nanqu Ditch was dubbed Xiang River in ancient time. In traditional Chinese culture, places located to the south of mountain and north of river are termed as yang (meaning geographically superiority). The ancient Xiangyang City, which was sprawling to the north of Xiang River, thus gained its name as Xiangyang. Nanqu Ditch functions as another natural city moat for Xiangyang City as it intercepts the flood coming from Xian Mountain. In the early years, the water body in Nanqu Ditch had been connected to city moat. Unfortunately, it was about to be blocked due to terrible pollution. Thanks to the dredging efforts, the water body now flows freely again to continually bring blessing to the time-honored city and its people.

The large plaza which is sandwiched between Nanqu Ditch and Xian Mountain and about to be completed soon attracts local citizens walking around and climbing the mountains at weekends.

The nine connected rivers have been renovated into watercourse with flood controlling function, waterfront greenways and humanity gallery. Natural and cultural wonders are seen harmoniously coexisting along the watercourse of the nine connected rivers. Xiangyang, a city known for its historical figures, legends and cultural legacies, is now nourished and connected by nine rivers and ready to embrace a better future.