The Waterwheel Expo Garden (水车博览园), established in 2005, is a themed park showcasing the largest variety and quantity of waterwheels in the world. Located in Lanzhou, it comprises three main sections: the Waterwheel Park, Waterwheel Square, and Cultural Square. The garden vividly recreates the spectacular scene of waterwheels lining both banks of the Yellow River over 50 years ago.
Lanzhou’s waterwheels have a profound historical significance as ancient irrigation tools along the Yellow River. Known locally as “Heavenly Wheel (天车),” “翻车 (Roll Wheel),” “灌车 (Irrigation Wheel),” or “老虎车 (Tiger Wheel),” these wheels have been pivotal in local agricultural practices for centuries.
The Expo Garden also features a Water Curtain Performance Square. Set against the backdrop of Lanzhou’s iconic two-wheel waterwheels, this square includes a circular stage and a semicircular grandstand capable of seating 400 people. Between the stage and the grandstand lies a semicircular fountain pool that enhances the experience with dynamic musical fountains. The musical fountain provides both auditory and visual enjoyment, acting almost like a stage backdrop during local cultural performances.
Visitors to the Waterwheel Expo Garden not only witness the historical significance of Lanzhou’s waterwheels but also experience the charm of local cultural performances amid a setting that celebrates both tradition and innovation in water technology.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Waterwheel Expo Garden
- Vlog about Waterwheel Garden
- Attractions near Waterwheel Garden
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 8.00 – 22.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0931-8587111 0086-0931-8580722 |
Location and Transportation
The Lanzhou Waterwheel Expo Garden is located at 524 Binhe East Road, on the south bank of the Yellow River in Chengguan District, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province, China. To get there, you can take bus 20, 25, 37, or 135 and get off at Green Park Stop (绿色公园站).
Highlights of Waterwheel Expo Garden
Statue of Duan Xu
The Waterwheel Square features a prominent statue of Duan Xu (段续), the founder of the Lanzhou waterwheel. Duan Xu, also known as Shaoshan and Dongchuan, was a native of Lanzhou. In 1523, during the Ming Dynasty, he passed the imperial examination and held various official positions such as Imperial Envoy of Yunnan, Counselor of Huguang, and Deputy Commander of Mijing Garrison. During his travels through southern provinces, Duan Xu developed a keen interest in wooden water-lifting devices.
Deeply intrigued by their construction, he meticulously studied their principles and created detailed diagrams. Upon returning to his hometown later in life, Duan Xu devoted himself to replicating waterwheels, but faced several failures. It was during a second trip to Yunnan that he gained insights into water channeling techniques, which, combined with the swift currents of the Yellow River, led to his successful invention in 1556 of the trumpet-shaped water scoop, concave water channel, and large wheel-type Lanzhou waterwheel.
The statue at Waterwheel Square vividly portrays Duan Xu’s innovative spirit and dedication to engineering. Located at the eastern end of the square, aligned with the central axis of the south gate, the statue stands before a 26-meter diameter waterwheel pattern. Duan Xu is depicted holding a diagram in his left hand, his right hand resting on his chest, with his left foot stepping forward. His robes flutter in the breeze, and his facial expression exudes kindness and deep thought, as if he is contemplating, gesturing, or directing the construction of waterwheels on site.
Lanzhou Wooden Waterwheel
At the heart of the garden stands the monumental Lanzhou wooden waterwheel, pioneered by Duan Xu in 1556. Approximately 16 meters in diameter, these wheels consist of 16 radial spokes extending from a central axle to the rim, each equipped with water scraping boards and 40 rectangular water buckets suspended beneath wooden troughs. Positioned atop stone dams in rushing river currents, these waterwheels harness the natural flow of water to irrigate vast swathes of land, with each wheel capable of irrigating over 300 mu (20 hectares) of fields – a testament to their efficiency and effectiveness in agricultural production.
Adjacent to the iconic waterwheels are hand-pushed and pedal-operated water carts, utilizing similar scraping board mechanisms to lift water from lower river levels for irrigation purposes.
Historic Water Mill
The Waterwheel Garden also features a historic water mill, once a primary tool for grinding grains before the advent of electric milling machines. Powered by water, the mill includes components such as water channels, turbine wheels, grinding shafts, millstones, and tools. Positioned nearby is the meandering channel named “Qu Shui Liu Shang,” evoking the winding paths of the Yellow River where waterwheels once stood in abundance, tirelessly turning to serve agricultural needs.
Towards the western end of the Waterwheel Square, a stunning ensemble of cascading ponds known as the “Three-tier Seven-step Waterfalls” complements the grandeur of the Lanzhou waterwheels. These interconnected water pools, varying in size across three levels and seven steps, create a picturesque and awe-inspiring waterfall display, resonating harmoniously with the historical legacy of the waterwheels.
