Guardians of China's “Water Tower”

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http://mp42.china.com.cn/video_tide/2026/7/20/20267201784520725635_458_5319.mp4

In the heart of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, at an elevation of over 4,000 meters, lies the source of the Yangtze, Yellow, and Lancang rivers. Sanjiangyuan, meaning the three-river-source, is known as China's “Water Tower”.

Nan Jiang was born and raised here. His family have been herders for generations, earning about 20,000 yuan a year from selling milk and wild cordyceps. In 2017, when the “one household, one ranger” policy was introduced for Sanjiangyuan National Park, Nan Jiang signed up to be an ecological ranger. It brought his family a steadier income — and with it, a deeper purpose: guarding the ecosystem of the land he calls home.

Years of patrolling and guarding have brought visible changes: the grasslands are recovering, and wildlife is returning. Nan Jiang says the most rewarding moment is watching snow leopards, blue sheep, and Tibetan brown bears roaming this land once again.

Today, Sanjiangyuan National Park has more than 20,000 ecological rangers like Nan Jiang — people whose families have lived here for generations, who know every mountain and every river, and who understand that what they guard is not just the mountains and waters of their hometown, but the very source of China's great rivers.

Executive Producer: Xu Rong

Production Supervisor: Xue Lisheng

Co-Production Supervisor: Dai Fan

Line Producer: Yang Dan

Producer & Director: Fang Xiaoqi

Post Producers: Liu Wei, Fang Linjiang (Intern)

Supported by Zaduo County Media Center

Produced by China Figures, China Internet Information Center