While global attention often focuses on skyscrapers, an even larger undertaking is taking shape deep underground in South China. The Guangdong Water Resources Allocation Project for the Beibu Gulf Region (环北部湾广东水资源配置工程) is now officially under full-speed construction.
This project spans an impressive total length of 490 kilometers—roughly the distance from Paris to London, with the entire route running through tunnels and pipelines! It is designed to divert water from the Yunfu section of the Xijiang River to the Leizhou Peninsula, providing water to four cities in Guangdong: Yunfu, Yangjiang, Maoming, and Zhanjiang.
During a recent construction conference, authorities announced that the project has already reached a cumulative investment of 20 billion yuan (about 2.77 billion US dollars), accounting for 30% of the total budget. With over 10,000 workers involved on-site, the project is scheduled to begin full water supply operations by 2031.
Upon completion, the project will increase the average annual water supply by approximately 2.1 billion cubic meters and connect 12 reservoirs. This network will enable coordinated river regulation and mutual water support, balancing seasonal surpluses and shortages. Additionally, it will reduce groundwater extraction by nearly 600 million cubic meters annually, add 1,233 square kilometers of new irrigation area, and benefit 18 million people across the four cities.
Author | Dong Han
Photo | Nanfang Plus
