Ming Tombs Reservoir

The Ming Tombs Reservoir or the Shisanling Reservoir is a dam in Changping District of northern Beijing, China. Named for the Ming tombs nearby, it is the lower reservoir of the Shisanling Pumped Storage Power Station. The earth-fill embankment dam is high and long. The dam creates a reservoir that can store of water and contains a controlled chute spillway.

History

The Ming Tombs Reservoir was built in only four months by hundreds of thousands of workers who labored around the clock.
In 2008, the reservoir was one of the nine temporary venues of the Beijing Olympics. It was used for the Triathlon events at the 2008 Summer Olympics, during which it was known as the Triathlon Venue.

Cultural relevance

During its construction, the project attracted writers and artists from nearby Beijing. The Ming Tombs Reservoir's development was represented in photography, music, literature and film.
French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson also documented the construction in color photography.