Qifeng Aqueduct

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Qifeng Aqueduct is a bridge-style irrigation system in Qifeng Town, Lu County, Luzhou, Sichuan. Built from 1975 to June 1978, it has helped water farms in Lu County and Longmatan District without pumps. It consists of two main parts, Shengli Aqueduct and Huafeng Aqueduct, forming the Qifeng Aqueduct within the Sanxikou Reservoir area. This type of aqueduct is common in Southwest China’s hilly regions.

Before the 1970s, droughts hurt local crops. A feasibility study for a local aqueduct was approved in October 1973, and construction began: Shengli Aqueduct first, then Huafeng Aqueduct in 1976. Both were completed in 1978.

Heritage status: in 2012, the Qifeng Aqueduct was listed on Sichuan’s eighth set of provincial cultural relics preservation units. In 2019, it was added to the eighth set of Major cultural heritage sites under national-level protection.

Shengli Aqueduct: a “bridge above a bridge.” The lower level carries water from the Longxi River, the middle level is for pedestrians, and the upper level diverts water. It is about 1,000 meters long with 21 piers and 20 spans; its highest point is 33 meters. The Longxi River crossing is about 600 meters long with 20 piers and 3 spans.

Huafeng Aqueduct: a stone-arched bridge-type aqueduct. It is about 1,122 meters long with 47 large arches and 76 small arches, plus some small arches on the piers. The highest arch height is 39 meters, and the highest point is 43 meters.