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Lanzhou Tour of
Waterwheel Garden
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The Waterwheel Garden, built in 1994, is located in the
Binhe Middle Road (Binhe Zhong Lu) in Lanzhou, Gansu Province. The
garden covers an area of 1.45 hectares (3.58 acres) and is comprised
of two waterwheels, a cofferdam, the recreation area and a house of
water mill.
Lanzhou is the only city through which the Yellow River
flows; there are thus many irrigation machines in the city. The
waterwheel invented by Duan Xu in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) is
the oldest one. Duan Xu learnt from the irrigation machines in
Yunnan Province and invented a distinctive style with the appearance
of chariot wheels and a diameter ranging from 10 to 20 meters (32.8
to 65.6 feet). The center of the wheel was placed with an axle and
boards, while the brim of the wheel was fixed with many quadrate
buckets. These buckets could carry water to a height of 15 to 18
meters (49 to 59 feet) in order to irrigate fields. Until 1952,
about 252 waterwheels stood along the river in Lanzhou, and at that
time, the city was reputed to be the 'City of Waterwheels'.
In the garden, two huge waterwheels with striking
appearances stand uprightly on the south bank of the Yellow River.
They are modeled on the antique waterwheel, having quadrate buckets
and a diameter of 16.5 meters (54.1 feet). In high water periods,
they are driven by flowing water from the river; in low water
periods, they are driven by water gathered by cofferdam. Owing to
the two waterwheels and an advantaged position, the Waterwheel
Teahouse attracts a lot of tourists. Here, visitors can appreciate
the revolving waterwheels while enjoying a cup of tea. Moreover, the
photo studio, stores and the house of water mill in the garden
provide further entertainment and convenience Visitors cross the
river on a sheepskin raft.for visitors.
In the garden, tourists can experience crossing the
river on a sheepskin raft, which is the most primeval ferrying tool
in the northwest region of the Yellow River. A visit to the
Waterwheel Garden will provide an insight into the irrigation tools
of ancient times.
Tour Lanzhou
with Great Wall Adventure Club, the best
Lanzhou
tour agent to help
you with your hotel booking and transfers.
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