Question: Ever wondered where Beijing gets a major part of its drinking water? It comes from Miyun.
Miyun District is located northeast of Beijing. It is Beijing’s largest district. Miyun is not just large. It is also vital to Beijing.
Miyun is an eco-conservation area. It is a main drinking water source for Beijing. The Miyun Reservoir is central to this. It has a maximum water surface area of 188 square kilometers. The reservoir’s maximum storage capacity is 4.375 billion cubic meters.
But there is more to Miyun than just the reservoir. The district boasts a forest coverage rate of 75.3 percent. The air quality here is remarkable. The content of negative oxygen ions is much higher than in the urban area. In fact, it is 40 times higher.
Miyun is known as China’s national ecological zone. It is also known as a world-renowned recreational and livable site. The ecological quality ranks number one in the whole city.
Miyun’s history is interesting. In the 1930s, the Imperial Japanese Army occupied Miyun District. A local Taoist priest incited a peasant rebellion. He convinced followers they were immune to gunfire. These Yellow Sand rebels fought bravely. The Japanese forces eventually suppressed the uprising.
Miyun has many towns and villages. Gulou Subdistrict is where the district government is located. Miyun Town itself has a long history. Its name refers to the mountains south of the town. Clouds often gather around these mountain tops.
The Miyun Reservoir has changed lives. To build it, people were resettled. Some families had to move multiple times. They made sacrifices for Beijing’s water supply.
The story of the Miyun Reservoir is told by those who lived it. Huang Deyu and Guo Shulian remember life before the dam. They recall clear rivers and playing in the water. They remember the fear of camels that spat. The construction brought significant changes.
The Miyun Reservoir not only supplies water. It also prevents floods downstream. The construction of the dam involved many workers. They faced tough conditions. They worked hard to build the dam wall.
The reservoir’s water level impacts the surrounding environment. Fish migration was blocked. Fish farming caused pollution. Tourism also affected the water quality.
Miyun has faced ecological challenges. Mining activities caused dust and silt. These activities affected the reservoir. Efforts are underway to protect the environment.
Miyun is still evolving. It balances providing water to Beijing with protecting its environment. Visiting Miyun offers a chance to appreciate nature. It also highlights the importance of ecological conservation.
So, next time you turn on the tap in Beijing remember Miyun.