The Xin’an River, stretching over 300 kilometers, has cradled the thriving ancient Huizhou region, birthed the dazzling Xin’an culture, and left behind a treasure trove of heritage.
Recently, CCTV-10’s series By the Xin’an River aired, inviting viewers into the heart of this enchanting land.
Flowing from its source through a millennium of history, the Xin’an River transformed dramatically with the construction of the Xin’anjiang Hydropower Station. What was once 1,078 mountain peaks became 1,078 islands, giving rise to the breathtaking Thousand Islands Lake (Qiandao Lake).
Beneath its shimmering waters lie two submerged counties, five towns, over 1,000 villages, and more than 300,000 acres of fertile farmland. These sunken relics don’t just mark Chun’an’s historical shifts—they’ve become a hauntingly unique cultural landscape within Qiandao Lake.
The program unveils more than just the majestic underwater cities. It dives into Chun’an’s intangible culinary heritage, ancient tea mountain trails, and a once-bustling trade history that echoes through time.
Thanks to years of ecological care, today’s Qiandao Lake dazzles with endless waves of blue, where sky and water blur into one. Forests, birds, and fish dance with the lake in a flawless symphony of nature.
From submerged ancient cities to emerald hills and pristine waters, from heirloom dishes to eco-preservation, Chun’an’s story is both a whisper from the past and a vibrant melody of humanity and nature intertwined.