Bayu region in southwestern China boasts a time-honored agricultural civilization. Looking back upon a long time, unique irrigation projects that varied from period to period were built. From the 1960s to the 1970s, the aqueduct, a simple but effective means of carrying water, was the most frequently seen and widely distributed irrigation project in Chongqing. It is a structure for carrying water, usually built like a bridge across a river, road, or valley.

Due to Chongqing's mountainous landform, aqueducts played an important role in people's production and life in rural areas, especially in western Chongqing's Fangshan Hills and the level grounds of central Chongqing's Ridge and Valley Province. Taking full advantage of local hilly landform, aqueducts were built to link cities, towns, and farmlands together, providing a solution to distributing water resources.

In addition to working as an irrigation means, aqueducts also used to play a significant role in local architectural history and social history. Therefore, it is a valuable asset for studying regional water conservancy infrastructure construction, irrigation engineering, and carving art of a period.

As farmland irrigation and water conservancy infrastructure are improved, most aqueducts have been out of use. Only a few of them are still in use, creating a beautiful sight in people's memories.

Hongxing Aqueduct in Fuling District

Nantuo Hongxing Aqueduct, also known as Lianfeng Aqueduct and Wuxing Aqueduct, is a cultural relic unit under Chongqing municipal protection. Built in the 1950s-1970s in Nantuo Town, Fuling District, it stretches for more than 9,000 meters from northwest to southeast, covering six villages of Lianfeng Village, Guandong Village, Jiaoyan Village, Nantuo Village, Yanping Village, and Shifo Village. Specifically, the base is 3.5 meters wide, and the single arch is 49 meters wide and 28 meters high maximum; the inside three-in-one concrete terrace is one meter wide and 0.88 meters high, and the edge is 0.3 meters wide. On the sides of the aqueduct are incised 16 slogans which look magnificent and impressive and are of great value for studying modern irrigation history and water conservancy projects.

Xianlongfeidu Aqueduct in Yongchuan District

Xianlongfeidu Aqueduct is located in Xianlong Town, Yongchuan District. Also known as the No.6 Bridge among locals, it is the No.6 aqueduct of the right main canal of Niumenkou Reservoir. Its unique shape makes it very rare in Chongqing. As it is built in a hilly area, the viaduct uses arches whose height varies from place to place. There are one-level arches in some places, and in others, there are two-level arches. Notably, in the central section where it passes two hills, 11 arches have been built, and seven of them have two levels.

Xinli Aqueduct in Zhongxian County

Located in Xinli Town, Zhongxian County, Xinli Aqueduct is a brick and stone structure with a length of about 60 kilometers. With a simple shape and a clear structure, it consists of groove, body, arches, column piers, and bases made of stone masonry. The aqueduct was designed and constructed per local conditions. It adapts to the terrain by adjusting the height of the piers and the span of the arches, having no impact on the passage of vehicles on roads. The large aqueduct runs through villages, farmland, and residential areas, with well-preserved historical features.

Huangnidang Aqueduct in Wulong District

Located in Huangnidang Group, Baiyang Village, Xiangkou Town, Wulong District, Huangnidang Aqueduct was built between two mountains. The plane is three folds, and the bottom rises and falls according to the terrain. With a total length of more than 700 meters, it is an 18-curvature arch aqueduct. Both sides are engraved with production slogans with historical characteristics. Below the aqueduct, there are inter-village roads for vehicles. The aqueduct is beautiful in shape, and the building materials are taken from nature. Straddling the mountains, forests, and countryside, it is in harmony with the natural environment.