Tucked away in Kunming, Yunnan Province, the Shilongba Hydropower Station stands as a testament to China's early industrial ambition. Known as the nation's first hydroelectric facility, its century-old turbines still spin today, weaving a narrative of resilience and progress. Once operational, this historic site filled a critical void in domestic electricity generation, marking a significant stride toward self-reliance.

A recent media tour, part of the "Visualizing New SOEs: Wonders Among Relics" initiative, spotlighted this remarkable industrial heritage site through a series of digital storytelling formats. The tour aimed to showcase how this living fossil of industry continues to resonate in the modern era. It was a journey back in time to witness the machinery that powered a nation's early steps toward modernization, emphasizing the project's role as a symbol of collective effort.

The station's origins date back to August 1910, with construction culminating in its first power generation on May 28, 1912, boasting an initial capacity of 480 kilowatts. The visionary project was spearheaded by Yunnan entrepreneur Wang Xiaozhai, who mobilized capital through private shareholding. The venture imported two 240-kilowatt generator units from the German company Siemens, a feat of logistics that brought together over 1,000 artisans from five provinces. The most arduous leg saw the massive equipment hauled over a 7-kilometer mountain path using human muscle and water buffalo, a painstaking journey that stretched over 40 days.

The site is home to three historically significant stone steles that document its extraordinary construction. One, inscribed with "Precise Accounts," details every project expenditure down to the smallest fraction of a cent. Another, titled "Merit and Names," inscribes the names of 116 engineers and master craftsmen, creating a unique, permanent record of accountability. These monuments serve as an early example of formalized project governance and communal pride.

Throughout its existence, Shilongba has played a pivotal role in China's national narrative, transitioning from a late-Qing initiative for industrial salvation to a crucial power source during the War of Resistance. During those turbulent years, it became the nation's largest power producer, and its workers heroically protected the machinery from Japanese air raids, ensuring Kunming's survival as a major industrial hub. Today, while China's hydroelectric capacity leads the world, the station's original units continue to operate, a powerful contrast to modern mega-dams.

Now recognized as a national key cultural relic and listed among China's industrial heritage, the station functions as a "living textbook" of the nation's hydroelectric development. Its museum, designated as a national education base, ensures that the stories of grit and innovation continue to inspire future generations. The recent media tour was part of the broader "China at the Start of the New Journey" project, supported by the Cyberspace Administration of China and organized by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, underlining the site's importance as a national emblem of industrial tenacity.