If you look at northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from above, you would be impressed by the chain of undulating hills. The relatively dry place enjoys a continental arid and semi-arid climate with low rainfall. Thus Ningxia lacks water.

However, the part of the Yellow River passing through the region was tamed by locals for irrigation of farmlands thousands of years ago. The construction of Yellow River Ancient Canalization Project started as early as the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC). The irrigation project was recognized as a world heritage in 2017. 

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(Cover image via VCG.)

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