History and Literature

Three Major Water Conservancy Projects

: Li Yu (937 - 978), historically known as Last Emperor of Southern Tang, reigned from 961 to 975.

: Xu Guangqi (1562 - 1633), a native of Songjiang (now Shanghai) in the Ming Dynasty, was a famous...

: Living in the 688-763 period, Jian Zhen is a famous master of Buddhism in the Tang Dynasty.

During Emperor Qin’s reign, three major irrigation works were constructed, namely, the Lingqu Canal, Dujiangyan Reservoir, and Zhengguo Canal. The Lingqu Canal is located in Xing’an County, 60 kilometers northeast of Guilin, which is the best-preserved ancient water conservancy project existing in the world. The Lingqu Canal, with a total length of 37 km, which embodies scientific design and refined construction, connects two major river systems, namely, the Yangtze River and the Pearl River. The Dujiangyan Reservoir, located at the Minjiang River in west Chengdu Plain, is a grand water conservancy project, characterized by non-dam water control. It provides scientific solution to automatic diversion of water, automatic desilting, water flow control, and other problems. Over the past 2,000 years, it has been playing a role in flood control and irrigation management. The Zhengguo Canal, with the Jinshui River as its source, is to irrigate the northern farms of the Weishui River. It was constructed under the guidance of Zheng Guo, with a length of over 300 Li. This water conservancy work provides the maximum control of the irrigation area, and forms a fully-automatic irrigation system.

Qin Shi Huang

Ying Zheng, the first emperor that united China over 2000 years ago, declared himself Shi Huangdi, meaning the first emperor. He was called "Qin Shi Huang" by later generations.

Unification of Currency

Unification of Currency

Emperor Qin promulgated China's earliest Currency Act, which prescribed the nationwide use of the Qin State currency, called half-liang coin, circular and with a square hole in the center.
Unification of Weights and Measures

Unification of Weights and Measures

Emperor Qin unified weights and measures.
Vehicles of the Same Track

Vehicles of the Same Track

Before Emperor Qin unified China, the size of vehicles and width of the road were not the same among different states, either were the written characters.
Construction of the Great Wall

Construction of the Great Wall

The Great Wall was first built in the Warring States period.
Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang

Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang

The Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang is the largest existing ancient emperor¡¯s tomb.
Terracotta Warriors and Horses

Terracotta Warriors and Horses

Qin Terracotta Army Pits were discovered in 1974 east of the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin.
Books with the Same Characters

Books with the Same Characters

In order to unify the characters, the government promulgated that "Xiao Zhuan" font (mini-seal script, an ancient style of calligraphy) to be the national standard font.
Fen Shu Keng Ru (To burn books and burying Confucian scholars alive)

Fen Shu Keng Ru (To burn books and burying Confucian scholars alive)

In 213 B.C., Emperor Qin Shihuang, the first emperor in China accepted Li Si's suggestion and ordered to burn the books.
Inscribed Stone at Langya Terrace

Inscribed Stone at Langya Terrace

Established during Emperor Qin Shihuang's trip on Mount Langya in the 28th year of his reign, the stele was meant to pay a tribute to the virtuous of the emperor.
Sacrifice to Heaven on Mount Tai

Sacrifice to Heaven on Mount Tai

In 219 B.C. on Emperor Qin Shihuang's trip to Mount Tai during his second inspection tour to the east, a ceremony was held to offer sacrifices to heaven, with stone inscribed to make eulogiums.
Straight Road Site of the Qin Dynasty

Straight Road Site of the Qin Dynasty

The straight road site of Qin is located in Guyang Village of Shaanxi.