A photographer takes a picture of the archaeological excavation site in Pingyao township, Hangzhou city, Zhejiang province, March 15, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

An ancient large-scale hydraulic project has been discovered in the northwestern suburb of Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province.

Chinese archeologists have excavated 11 dikes, which are near the ancient city of Liangzhu that existed about 4,500 to 5,300 years ago in the Yuhang district of Hangzhou.

Eighty years ago, archaeologists discovered the remains of a Neolithic culture in Liangzhu.

The finding is the oldest large water system ever found in China, which can be traced back to 5,000 years ago, archaeologists said.