Geographic Location

Xin’Anjiang Hydropower Station lies in Tongxian Valley, Xinanjiang Town, Jande City, Zhejiang Province. It’s about a 1.5-hour drive from Hangzhou’s downtown, making it a perfect day trip from the city. Surrounded by lush mountains and the crystal-clear Xinanjiang River, the station sits in a dramatic valley that feels worlds away from urban life.

How to Get There

By car: Rent a car or take a taxi from Hangzhou (around 120 km). The scenic drive winds through green hills and rural villages.
By public transport: Take a bus from Hangzhou West Bus Station to Jande City (~2 hours), then transfer to a local bus toward Xinanjiang Town. Alternatively, book a day tour from Hangzhou that includes round-trip transport.
Once there, you’ll find Xin’Anjiang Hydropower Station nestled along the river—just follow the signs!

Natural Landscape: A Lake Born from Power

The highlight here is Qiandao Lake (Thousand Islands Lake), created when Xin’Anjiang Hydropower Station dammed the river in 1960. This massive lake spans 106 square kilometers, with 178 billion cubic meters of water—that’s enough to make you feel tiny! The dam raised the water level so high that it flooded half a county, turning small hills into the thousands of forested islands that give Qiandao Lake its name.

From the observation deck at Xin’Anjiang Hydropower Station, you can gaze down at the dam’s grand scale. Below, the lake stretches out like a shimmering blue gem, dotted with tree-covered islands. On clear days, the water reflects the sky so perfectly, it’s like a painting. Boat tours are a must—gliding between islands feels like drifting through a nature-made maze.

Human History: A “Made-in-China” Marvel

Xin’Anjiang Hydropower Station isn’t just a pretty lake. It’s a symbol of China’s self-reliance in engineering. Built in the 1950s, it was China’s first “three-self” dam: self-designed, self-equipped, and self-built. Think of it as the “beta test” for China’s later mega-projects, like the Three Gorges Dam.

Inside the exhibition hall, vintage tools and photos show how workers tackled this project with basic technology. You’ll see models of the dam’s unique design—a “wide-gap gravity dam” that inspired dams worldwide. Even today, it’s considered a pioneering achievement in high-water interception.

Practical Amenities for Visitors

The area around Xin’Anjiang Hydropower Station is tourist-friendly:

  • Viewing platforms offer safe, photo-worthy spots to admire the dam and lake.
  • Interactive exhibits explain how the dam works, with English subtitles.
  • Boat docks nearby let you explore Qiandao Lake’s islands.
  • Local restaurants serve fresh fish from the lake (try the famous braised fish head!).
  • Souvenir shops sell postcards, model dams, and lake-themed crafts.

Immersive Tour Experience

Visiting Xin’Anjiang Hydropower Station is like stepping into a story of human ingenity. Start at the dam overlook to snap photos of the towering structure. Then, wander through the exhibition hall to learn how this “laboratory for the Three Gorges” was built. Don’t miss the documentary film showing historic footage of the dam’s construction—it’s gripping!

For adventure, join a boat tour to Qiandao Lake’s islands. Some are big enough for hiking, while others have tiny temples or picnic spots. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot wildlife: the lake is home to rare birds, civets, and freshwater dolphins.

End your day by watching the sunset over the dam. As the sky turns orange, the lake glows like liquid gold, and the islands become silhouettes against the horizon. It’s a moment that blends nature’s beauty with human achievement—a perfect reminder of why Xin’Anjiang Hydropower Station remains a legend.

Tip: Visit on a weekday to avoid crowds, and bring sunscreen—there’s little shade!