Songtao Shuiku, dam in Hainan
Songtao Shuiku is a large reservoir in Lanyang created by damming the Nandu River and covering a broad area of water. It contains over one hundred islands inhabited by various plants and animals, with calm reflective surfaces visible from many vantage points.
The reservoir was built in the late 1950s and opened in the late 1960s to stabilize the local area through water storage and flood control. The dam was a major project requiring many workers that permanently changed the course of the Nandu River.
The reservoir is deeply connected to the daily life of local communities, providing water for farming and households. Families and fishermen use the area as part of their regular routines, and the water is valued as a fundamental resource supporting their way of life.
The reservoir is easily accessible from nearby Lanyang, with visitors arriving on foot, by bicycle, or in small vehicles, especially on weekends and holidays. Small paths run along the shore with viewing platforms offering water views, and boat rides are available to see the islands from different angles.
The reservoir is the second largest in the entire country and holds an immense amount of water supporting agriculture during dry seasons and preventing floods. Local people tell stories about the time before the dam was built when the river flowed freely, viewing it as a transformative moment for their region.
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