Standing atop the dam of Xiluodu Hydropower Plant, visitors are attracted by the surging emerald waters of the Jinsha River stretching as far as the eye can see, while a steady stream of study tour groups passes by. Since the launch of the “Xiluodu Hydropower Plant Patriotic Education Tour Route” by Xiluodu Hydropower Plant in October 2025, this immersive learning journey—rooted at the Sichuan-Yunnan border and integrating key national assets with on-site ideological and political education—has rapidly gained widespread recognition. As of July 31, the route has welcomed over 14,000 participants, with overwhelming demand for reservations. It has become the most sought-after off-campus practical classroom for primary and secondary schools in Yongshan and Leibo counties, earning unanimous acclaim from local governments, schools, parents, and students alike. Notably, the People's Government of Yongshan County issued a special letter of commendation, highly recognizing CYPC's Xiluodu Hydropower Plant for proactively fulfilling its social responsibilities inherent in a central state-owned enterprise.

A Robust Platform that Adds Substance to Study Tours. As a National Patriotic Education Demonstration Base and a flagship site for central state-owned enterprises, Xiluodu Hydropower Plant has been continuously upgrading its facilities to be more standardized, refined, and distinctive. Inside the Project Exhibition Hall, dynamic digital displays and models of rare Jinsha River fish species bring the space to life, while personal stories from 17 veteran builders breathe warmth into what would otherwise be cold statistics. Three signature routes—Public Tour, Hydropower Science, and Red Heritage—are intricately designed to offer tailored exploration paths for diverse visitor groups. Full-time interpreters, engineers safeguarding this strategic national asset, and selected student storytellers work together to bring the dam's story to life. Specially designed study guides turn learning into an exploratory quest, while creative souvenirs—from dam-shaped Rubik's cubes to turbine puzzles—bring the memory of this engineering marvel within reach. The power plant balances electric power production with study tour reception, maintains regular coordination with local authorities, and efficiently allocates personnel, vehicles, and venues to ensure the best possible experience for each visiting group through fine management. This dedication serves as a vivid testament to the letter from the People's Government of Yongshan County, which credited the plant with filling the gap in local off-campus science education and real-world civic learning resources. Immersive Experiences Bring the Classroom to Life. Moving beyond one-way instruction, the dedicated study tour route transforms hydropower knowledge and patriotic education into a real-world classroom where students can play, explore, and engage. Virtual Reality tours, dam model assembly, and turbine puzzle disassembly make abstract principles visible and tangible. In the immersive scenario experience—Guardians of Key National Assets, young participants step into the shoes of engineering decision-makers, experiencing firsthand the dedication and perseverance behind these national engineering feats. On the dam crest, selected student storytellers confidently present their hometown's super project; in the craft workshop, Yi and Miao ethnic groups' intangible cultural heritage—paper-cut lanterns and batik dyeing—are displayed alongside cutting-edge engineering technology, creating a striking cultural resonance between traditional culture and key national assets. After assembling a dam model, SU Shengrui from Yongshan County Ethnic Primary School remarked, “It was so hard for me just to build this model, yet the engineers built the real dam!” This simple, heartfelt words embody the true purpose of this experiential learning. Bringing Warmth to Education Through Caring Outreach The dedicated study route extends far beyond the dam site through proactive community engagement: special summer sessions for left-behind children, tailored reception and visits for children with special needs, and mobile educational outreach to welfare homes. Equipped with visual displays and animated content, the outreach team brings patriotic education to remote communities. From school-organized study tours and family-friendly New Year programs to inclusive initiatives for ethnic minority youth and students with disabilities in the reservoir region, the program ensures every child—regardless of background or location—can experience China's key national assets firsthand. The most powerful testament to its impact comes from the children themselves: “When I grow up, I want to build a dam too,” “I want to design smart inspection robots,” and “I want to contribute to this super power station.” 

Rooted along the Jinsha River, Education Nurtures in Silence This vibrant study route exemplifies how Xiluodu Hydropower Plant of CYPC fulfills its social responsibility inherent in a central state-owned enterprise while advancing patriotic education. Guided by the mission of “building a power station to boost the local economy, improve the environment, and benefit relocated communities,” Xiluodu Hydropower Plant transforms its world-class engineering assets into a dynamic platform for soul-forging and talent-nurturing. By fostering enterprise-community collaboration, it turns the strategic national assets into an immersive classroom that strengthens national unity and nurtures deep-rooted patriotism.

Now, the demand for reservations remains strong. Looking ahead, Xiluodu Hydropower Plant will continue to refine the curriculum of its patriotic education base, deepen the integration of intangible cultural heritage, and expand its team of volunteer interpreters. These efforts will further polish the brand of on-site ideological and political education along the Jinsha River, ensuring that the Three Gorges Project Spirit and patriotic sentiment flow onward with the mighty river, passed down from generation to generation in an unbroken legacy.