Underwater city in lake china. China. Underwater City Shi Chen

The Chinese city of Shichen, or in another way it is called the Lion City, was flooded in 1959 during the construction of a hydroelectric power station in Zhejiang province in the eastern part of the country. The city disappeared under water, and one of the most picturesque artificial reservoirs with a large number of islets called Qingdao. The locality, lost in time, already dates back to 1341. Water protects the city from the destructive erosion of wind and rain, so it is still in relatively good condition.

The highlight of Qingdao Lake is that the water in it is unusually crystal clear, so much so that it can be consumed as food. Outstanding Chinese manufacturer mineral waters uses water directly from this reservoir. Special attention received the most beautiful surrounding area, which consists of incredible amount different sized islands and forests.

There is Snake Island, Bird Island, Monkey Island, and even an island with a castle.

Meanwhile, the peculiarity of Qingdao Lake is not so much what is visible on its surface, but what is hidden in the water column. Before the flooding of the valley, at the foot of the mountain, there were two mighty cities- He Cheng and Shi Chen.

The city of Shi Chen was built in 621 AD during the reign of the Chinese Tang Dynasty. It was considered the cultural, political, and major economic center of the area. The city - He Cheng is even older, built in 208 AD, when the Han Dynasty was in charge. He Cheng was the most serious on the level business center. And during the construction of the dam and the construction of the reservoir, it was completely flooded.

It is worth saying that, together with the ancient major centers, also went under the water more than 370 villages, 25 cities, 50 thousand acres of land and thousands of houses of residents. Nearly 300,000 people had to be relocated during the massive project.

The ancient cities remained mysteriously forgotten for forty years - until 2001, when the Chinese Ministry of Tourism decided to turn these places into a landmark.

Then a whole diving center was organized here, whose employees conducted research on underwater massifs in search of ancient beauties. In 2002, three more were found in the middle of the lake. ancient cities, whose age reached 1800 years.

Repeatedly made proposals that would be able to save everything that exists historical heritage, but would be very expensive. In addition, scientists believe that water prevents the erosion of wind and rain, so they are in relatively good condition.

As an example, they name a pair of wooden beams raised from under the water for research. Under the influence of air and sun, they soon dried up and lost their integrity.

Qingdao Lake in China is an unusually beautiful body of water, where many wonders are stored at depth.

Every year, thousands of divers visit these sites, making Shicheng one of the most visited dive sites on the planet.

This was followed by a decision to make the underwater city accessible to everyone. A separate submarine, which is 3.8 meters high, 23 meters long, with a capacity of 48 passengers, was planned to send all tourists to undersea world sacraments. But, the submarine was never destined to complete construction, meanwhile, such excursions were banned by the local government in order to avoid possible damage to delicate underwater structures.

Qiendeo Lake (Chinese: 千島湖, Thousand Island Lake) is an artificial lake located in Chong'en County, Zhejiang in China. It was created after the completion of a hydroelectric power plant on the Xing'en River in 1959. 1078 major islands and several thousand smaller ones dot the lake, which covers an area of ​​573 km² and has a capacity of 17.8 km³. The islands in the lake occupy approximately 86 km². The first underwater exploration of the sunken city took place in 2001, when about 265 arches were discovered in the preserved ruins. Lion City is the size of 62 football fields.

International archaeologists have reported that the Lion City was an underwater "time capsule". Wikipedia states: "At the foot of Mount Wu Shi (Five Mountain Lions) lies ancient city, known as Shi Chen (Lion City), built in the Dong Khan period (25 - 200), was first created as the 208th district and was named "Lion City" because of the Five Lion Mountain that sits behind the city. The city remains inaccessible from the surface and is at a depth of 26-40 m. An IBM operator based in Shanghai organizes year-round trips to the city on weekends twice a month and uncovers parts of the lost city.
According to National Geography, since the depth of Lake Qiandaeo has increased and almost nothing can be seen in the lake, the city is about 28 meters under water. With the help of diving lights in the underwater city, located at a depth of 26-40 meters (85-131 feet), you can only see anything at a distance of two meters. During the dives, it turned out that even the wooden beams and stairs remained intact.
The Lion City had five city gates, each with a tower. Before it was buried underwater, there were six main stone streets that were used to connect every corner of the city. The bizarre carvings etched into the buildings were discovered when China's National Geography published photographs taken by archaeologists/divers rediscovering an underwater "lost" city.
It was an ancient city in 2008.
The depression under the Thousand Island Lake was the political and economic center of the region.
According to Our World, “It was decided to open the underwater city to tourists. A special submarine with a height of 3.8 meters and a length of 23 meters with a capacity of up to 48 passengers worth over six million dollars was built in order to bring tourists to the underwater kingdom. As a proof of concept for the Archimedean Bridge, construction of a floating tunnel was begun under water, but it was not completed due to the possibility of "damage to underwater structures". This photo was taken in January 2011 by an underwater film crew along with archaeologists who went underwater to explore Kiendeo Lake and the ancient Lion City.
There is a chain of more than 1078 large artificial islands and several thousand smaller ones in Qiendeo Lake.
More than half a century ago, the Chinese Lion City, also called Shi Cheng, was flooded. Recently, Shi Cheng has been explored by archaeologists who have dubbed "Lion City" as China's "Rediscovered Atlantis".
This aerial photo of Thousand Island Lake is interesting in itself, but what's far more interesting is what lies below in Lost City Leo.
The valley was flooded in 1959 to create a lake for the Xin'en River dam project. This is the Xinanjiang Hydroelectric Power Plant.
Before Shi Cheng was flooded, 290,000 people had to be relocated from the city where their ancestors had lived for over 1,300 years.

(in Chinese: 千島湖, translated " Thousand Island Lake") is an artificial lake located in Chuneng, Zhejiang province in China. It was created after the completion of a hydroelectric power plant on the Xineng River in 1959. 1078 large islands and several thousand small ones dot the lake, which covers an area of ​​​​573 km ² and has capacity 17.8 km 3. The islands in the lake occupy approximately 86 km 2.

Before the flooding, the city had 5 city gates with towers, 6 main stone streets that connected every corner of the city. Here every detail deserves special attention. now this unusual place is a popular diving mecca. The first underwater exploration of the flooded city took place in 2001, when about 265 arches were discovered in the preserved ruins. Shi Chen City is the size of 62 football fields.

International archaeologists have reported that Shi Chen - Lion City was an underwater "time capsule". Wikipedia states: " At the foot of Wu Shi (Five Mountain Lions) lies an ancient city known as Shi Chen (Lion City), built in the Dong Han period (25 - 200), was first established as the 208th district and was named "Lion City" from -behind the Mountains of Five Lions that sit behind the city. The city remains inaccessible from the surface and is located at a depth of 26-40 m". According to national geography because the depth of the lake Kiendeo has increased, and almost nothing is visible in the lake, the city is about 28 meters under water.

With the help of diving lights in the underwater city, you can see something only at a distance of two meters. During the dives, it turned out that even the wooden beams and stairs remained intact. At Lion Cities there were five city gates, each with a tower. The bizarre carvings engraved on buildings were discovered when the Chinese national geography published photographs taken by archaeologists - divers, rediscovering the underwater "lost" city.

According to the post Our World: "It was decided to open the underwater city for tourists. A special submarine with a height of 3.8 meters and a length of 23 meters with a capacity of up to 48 passengers worth over six million dollars was built in order to bring tourists to the underwater kingdom". As proof of the correctness of the concept of the "Archimedes Bridge", the construction of a floating tunnel was started under water, but it was not completed due to the likelihood of "damage to underwater structures."

Creepy dead city or mysterious underwater kingdom? Everyone has their own opinion on this matter, but certainly this is a place with a rich and ancient history worthy of attention not only divers, but also archaeologists. Moreover, no one and nothing will now prevent your acquaintance with Lion City. Enter any house or touch the roof of the high building– nothing is impossible here anymore.

IN Chinese province Zhejiang tourists can look at one of the most unusual sights of the country - the city of Shichen, flooded in 1959 due to the construction of a hydroelectric power station. Moreover, the flooding of the city did not happen by accident, but by the intention of the Chinese authorities. Until that time, people lived in Shichen, as in other cities flooded due to a hydroelectric power station. In total, about 300 thousand inhabitants had to be resettled by the Chinese government in other cities. In total, as it was found out later, 27 cities, 377 villages and 50 thousand acres of agricultural land were flooded.

When the cities were settled, a dam was erected, and as the water flowed, the area gradually became the bottom big lake- Qiandaohu. Its name means "Lake of a Thousand Islands" in Chinese. And indeed, on this body of water there are 1078 islands of different sizes, and total area the entire lake - just over 500 square kilometers. The water in the lake is so pure that you can even drink it. A well-known Chinese brand started using the water from the lake for sale and called it mineral water.

Since Shichen was located between five mountains called "Lion Mountains", it has another name - the city of the Lion. Shichen consists of six stone streets that unite and connect all districts of the city. Also, five city gates with towers rise along the perimeter. The most pleasant and surprising thing is that all houses and buildings, both outside and inside, can be touched. You can even touch the tops of buildings. The territory of all Shichen is approximately equal to the area of ​​60 football fields.

Now the city is a famous Chinese landmark, not only because of its underwater location. According to the calculations of scientists, the city of Shichen today is already more than 1340 years old, it was built around 670. The architecture of ancient buildings amazes with its amazing beauty ensembles and its age. Perhaps that is why many tourists who have seen this underwater Chinese kingdom often compare it with Atlantis.

Other travelers call the city "Time Capsule". After all, being under water, the walls of buildings remain in good condition, since neither wind, nor precipitation, nor erosion have an effect on them. Therefore, when you come down here, you can see Shichen the same as he was many years ago. The attraction is under protection, so no one can take anything from here. But even if some part of the structures rises to the surface, it quickly becomes unusable. Several times the Chinese authorities received proposals to preserve this historical landmark. But scientists are sure that here, under water, these ancient buildings will be preserved as well as anywhere else.

Interestingly, when the lake began to be explored almost 60 years later, besides Shichen, other ancient Chinese cities. Some of them are about 1800 years old. And because of the crystal pure water in the lake, anyone can see these ancient structures to the smallest detail. There is a diving center on the shore of Qiandaohu Lake, tourist centre, hotels. Now this place is almost the most visited place for diving in the whole world.

For the convenience of sightseeing, tourists were asked to build a special submarine. It was supposed to accommodate almost 50 passengers. But the construction of the submarine was stopped, and the Chinese authorities banned such dives because of the risk of damaging the fragile thousand-year-old structures.

The first underwater city-continent, the thought of which has been exciting the minds of researchers for centuries, is the legendary Atlantis. How many more cities are hiding in sea ​​abyss? What secrets does the world's oceans hold? Throughout its history, humanity has methodically won back living space from the elements. People mastered the plains and drained and conquered. However, it is difficult to argue with Nature, she periodically proves her superiority. Underwater cities, once great, is a vivid proof of this. Some of them were swallowed up by the water element thousands of years ago, others disappeared in its depths quite recently.

The most mysterious underwater city - Atlantis

Where is Atlantis located? Did this legendary continent ever exist? The mysteries of the underwater city have been haunting the minds of sages, researchers, historians and philosophers for thousands of years. The first information about the mysterious underwater city-continent appeared 9000 years ago. The legends of Atlantis are described by Plato in the treatises Timaeus and Critias.

Scientists are inclined to believe that mythical Atlantis was located near Africa

There are hypotheses that Atlantis had a radial layout

An underwater city found off the coast North Africa- presumably Atlantis

There is a legend according to which one of the "seven wise men" was the first to learn about the mysterious Atlantis. Ancient Greece, - Solon. He was sure that once there was a powerful civilization of the Atlanteans, who inhabited the mainland, located in the middle of the ocean beyond " Pillars of Hercules". Believing in their own power, the Atlanteans wanted to conquer Greece and Egypt, but the Gods punished them, and the water element forever hid the continent in its abyss.

Unknown city off the coast of Africa (possibly Atlantis) - satellite imagery from space

Pyramids of an underwater city found in the ocean off Africa

The surviving architecture of an underwater city in the Atlantic Ocean, possibly Atlantis

Where is the underwater city of Atlantis located? More than once, scientists happily informed the world that it had been found. Now in the Mediterranean Sea, now near Bahamas, then in pacific ocean, then near bermuda triangle. The latest data suggests that an underwater city sunk 9 thousand years ago may be located near Africa.

This underwater city bears the proud name of the Lion, and is considered the most impressive of all existing on the planet. It is often called "Chinese Atlantis". It was built as early as 621 AD. at the foot of Mount Wu Shi - "Five mountain lions". Why was the Lion City or Shi Chen under water? 53 years ago Chinese government decided to build a hydroelectric power plant, and for this it was necessary to completely flood the valley. Qingdao Lake, whose waters hide the underwater city of Shi Chen, is man-made.

Underwater city Shichen (Lion City) in China

Interesting fact. Together with the Lion City (Shi Chen), an even more ancient city was flooded - He Cheng, founded back in 208 AD. Plus, the water element swallowed up 377 settlements and 27 modern cities, 50 thousand acres of land. As a result of the construction of the reservoir, it was necessary to relocate 290 thousand people. That is, Qingdao Lake hides not one underwater city, but several!

Until 2001, the underwater city of Shi Chen remained forgotten. Whether the Chinese government realized its mistake or not, the Chinese Ministry of Tourism decided to turn Qingdao Lake into a local attraction. A diving club was organized, and now underwater cities have finally appeared in numerous pictures of fans of this sport.

1078 islands were formed as a result of the flooding of the city of Shi Chen during the construction of a hydroelectric power station in China

A beautiful landscape hides the ancient city of Shi Chen, buried under the water

The age of the underwater city of Shichen is about 1341 years.

The underwater city of ShiChen impresses with its majestic architecture, which is perfectly preserved under the clear water Thousand Islands (area 573 sq. km). The size of the underwater city is impressive - it's 62 football fields.

Underwater Lion City is located at a depth that varies from 26 to 40 m. It has 5 gates, each of which is crowned with a tower, and 6 streets connecting parts of the once great Shi Chen. The water has retained its original appearance so well. lion city that even the wooden benches and stairs remained intact.

Stone architecture of the underwater city Shichen in China

Spectacular view of a reservoir in China hides the underwater city of Shi Chen

In the photo of the underwater city, you can carefully examine its architecture. The bas-reliefs depicting dragons, lions, and monsters amaze with their grandeur. Sculptures of the underwater city of ShiChen are often compared with those of Alexandria, no less beautiful are the intricate decorations of the gates and facades of buildings.

Underwater city near Yonaguni - the oldest pyramids

Mayan pyramids, pyramids in Giza and China. It turned out that there are such structures in Japan, but they are ... under water. An underwater city with a majestic pyramid was discovered off the island of Yonaguni. It was discovered in 1985, and is located at a depth of 30 m.

The underwater pyramid of Yonaguni has a height of 24 m, and only 5 m separates it from the surface of the ocean. Base length underwater pyramid Yonaguni 55 m, width - 20 m, a sandstone structure is built.

Reconstruction of the underwater city of Yonaguni off the coast of Japan

The underwater city of Yonaguni is a strange pyramid off the coast of Japan

The underwater facility off the coast of Yonaguni stands on wide platforms covered with intricate patterns of geometric shapes. Scientists are still scratching their heads over their meaning. All sides of the underwater pyramid are covered with steps. It is built from multi-ton blocks.

The initial version of the researchers - an underwater attraction off the coast of Yonaguni - a creation of nature. After numerous underwater studies, the opinion has changed. This is part of an underwater city created by man. The estimated age is about 10 thousand years. There are no versions of what civilization could build an underwater city and erect a multi-stage pyramid much earlier than they appeared in Egypt.

Underwater cities of antiquity - Alexandria

In 335, a strong earthquake hit the majestic Alexandria. Part of it was under water. Exploration of the underwater city began in 1932, and then fragments of ancient amphoras and columns were raised from the bottom of the sea. In the early 90s of the last century, they began to explore the underwater city in more detail.

The underwater part of the sunken Alexandria in Egypt

Sculpture of Cleopatra underwater off the coast of Egypt, Alexandria

Details of a statue of Ptolemy II, who founded the Library of Alexandria, and fragments of palaces that belonged to Mark Antony and the legendary Cleopatra have been discovered. The latter was located on the island of Antirhodos, completely flooded after the earthquake. For 1600 years, he was considered only a legend described by the ancient Greek historian Strabo. An analysis of the details of the foundation and debris found in the underwater city showed that majestic building, resting at a depth of 10 meters, is indeed the Ptolemaic palace in which the legendary Cleopatra lived.

Underwater city of Alexandria in Egypt

Stone statues underwater - the sunken areas of Alexandria in Egypt

Many fragments found in underwater Alexandria, according to the descriptions, coincide with the details of one of the wonders of the world - Lighthouse of Alexandria(Farossky). Part of the ancient underwater city is constantly presenting researchers with new finds. Marble columns and statues of sphinxes are raised from the bottom, most of the finds are attributed to the Roman and Pharaonic periods.

How many underwater cities are on the planet? No researcher knows this. The element reliably keeps its secrets, but they are still gradually revealed.

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