Zheng Bai Qu, a large irrigation project in
the ancient Guanzhong Region (today's Shaanxin Province), was the combined name of Zhengguo
Qu and Bai Qu. (Qu means canal.)
In 246BC during the Warring States Period
(475-221BC), Zheng Guo, a hydraulic engineer from the Han State, began the construction of Zhengguo
Qu for the Qin State and
finished the project in more than 10 years. The canal was 150 kilometers long,
linking the Jingshui River and
the Luoshui River. It could irrigate 40,000 hectares of farmlands.
Thanks to the function of the canal, the
production of the surrounding farmlands surged, providing enough funding for the
Qin State which defeated the
other six warring states and for the first time in China's history set up a
unified county -- the Qin Dynasty (221-206BC).
In 95AD, the Eastern Han Dynasty built Bai
Qu, linking the Jingshui River
and Weishui River. The new canal
was 100 kilometers long and could irrigate 4,500 hectares of farmland.
Since then, the two canals were called by a
joint name: Zheng Bai Qu. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Zheng Bai Qu had
three branches: Tai Bai Qu, Zhong Bai Qu and Nan Bai Qu, with an irrigation area
of over 10,000 hectares. In the later dynasties, Zheng Bai Qu was revamped
several times.