Liyu Reservoir

Beneath the gaze of Wutong Mountain, the Liyu Reservoir stretches out like a silken sheet. This reservoir, also called Shenzhen Reservoir, isn’t just a beautiful sight. It holds a fascinating story, intertwined with the history of Shenzhen and even Hong Kong. The Liyu Reservoir, Shenzhen’s largest man-made lake, was born in March 1965. It wasn’t created for leisurely boat rides or picturesque sunsets. It was built with a purpose: to provide water for irrigation and quench the thirst of a growing city. This reservoir is more than just a body of water. It’s a vital part of Shenzhen’s water supply network, a first-grade water source protection area. Imagine the scale: its drainage basin covers 65 square kilometers, gathering water from the urban heart of Shenzhen to the forested slopes of Guangdong province. The Liyu Reservoir has a hidden connection to Hong Kong. Its waters flow into the Sham Chun River, the natural border between mainland China and Hong Kong. This river, along with the Sha Tau Kok River, carries the reservoir’s overflow, a silent exchange between two distinct worlds. The reservoir’s creation wasn’t without its challenges. In the 1960s, China faced difficult times, but the project was deemed essential. Premier Zhou Enlai himself oversaw the project, ensuring the supply of crucial materials. The construction was a feat of human effort, with thousands of workers using simple tools to build the massive dam. There’s a story about the “flying girls,” young women who would race down the dam’s slopes with empty carts, their feet lifting off the ground as the carts gained momentum. The Liyu Reservoir is a place of resilience and determination, a testament to the power of human ingenuity. Today, it offers a tranquil escape, a place for hiking and quiet reflection. It stands as a symbol of Shenzhen’s growth and its enduring connection to the surrounding landscape.