A recognition certificate for the Huoquan Spring Irrigation System released by the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage. [Photo/Yellow River News] 

The Huoquan Spring Irrigation System in North China's Shanxi province was designated as a World Heritage Irrigation Structure (WHIS) during the 74th International Executive Council Meeting of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) in India on Nov 4. 

It's Shanxi's first WHIS project and China's first world heritage project featuring irrigation with springs. 

Located in Hongtong county in the Fenhe River basin, the Huoquan Spring Irrigation System has a history of nearly 1,400 years. It includes water distribution structures such as a palisade and canal systems. 

Apart from serving the functions of irrigation and water supply, it also boosts the local environment and tourism, covering an irrigation area in excess of 67 square kilometers in five townships of the county.

Currently, China has 34 irrigation projects on the WHIS list, making it the country with the richest irrigation engineering heritage and most widespread distribution. 

The WHIS designation established by the ICID aims to protect and promote operational irrigation projects that have a strong historical and archival value.