A dike, a hero, a legacy

Recently, the Yellow River Conservancy Commission of the Ministry of Water Resources of China released the first list of Yellow River Water Conservancy Heritage Sites. As an iconic project in the history of Yellow River management, the Lingong Dike was successfully included.

Located at the Liuyuankou section of the Yellow River in Kaifeng, the Linggong Dike was constructed under the supervision of the national hero Lin Zexu (1785-1850). In 1841, a breach occurred in the Yellow River near Kaifeng, flooding the area and placing countless lives at risk. At the time, although Lin Zexu was on his way into exile, he was urgently appointed to lead the embankment repair efforts. Despite his personal hardships, he went straight to the front lines, working alongside the local people through great difficulties to seal the breach and build the dike. More than just a major hydraulic project, the Linggong Dike stands as a testament to Lin Zexu's wisdom in water management and his unwavering sense of duty. It embodies profound historical and cultural significance. (Text: Henan Daily Photo: Deng Fang)