China’s record-breaking Dashixia dam in the Xinjiang region has officially begun storing water, marking a milestone for the country’s civil engineering and tech innovation. The Dashixia Water Control Project, located on the Kumarak River in Aksu prefecture, has been completed using advanced technology and stands at 247 metres high — roughly equivalent to an 80-storey building.
What makes Dashixia particularly notable is its construction technique and design. It is the world’s tallest concrete-faced rockfill dam, combining a sturdy rock or gravel core with a concrete face on the upstream side. This design has gained popularity in recent decades for being safer and more cost-effective for tall dams.
In addition, Dashixia is the first dam of its kind to utilize full-scale intelligent technologies throughout its construction. Systems such as AI, blockchain, “digital twin” modelling, and unmanned equipment were used to manage challenges posed by geology and seismic risk. The project was designed by the state-owned China Energy Engineering Corporation.
Officials say the dam will help regulate water flow, support irrigation and flood control, and contribute to water resource stability in this arid part of China. Its completion represents a fusion of traditional dam engineering with cutting-edge technologies.
