Abstract:In order to systematically discuss the protection and utilization of water cultural heritages in Shaanxi Province and enrich the relevant theories and practices, according to the idea of theoretical analysis—analysis of the current situation—research on countermeasures, the structural types of water cultural heritages in Shaanxi Province are investigated by analyzing their connotation and value. It is pointed out that the water cultural heritages in Shaanxi Province have long history, diversified types and obvious local characteristics. The rivers and water conservancy projects are of higher level, and the quantity of poems, inscriptions and folk resources is large. The existing problems in the understanding ideas, management system, protection funds and other issues are analyzed. The protection and utilization of water cultural heritages in Shaanxi Province should consider the two core strategies. One is “all-around planning and conceptual reconstruction” of eco-system rehabilitation, humanistic system restructuring, value system rebuilding, industrial system innovation and management system reconstruction. The other is “classified protection and hierarchical linkage” based on the types of sites and heritages, engineering functions and non-material culture sites. The three spatial elements of point, line and surface should be also taken into account so as to form large heritage pattern of “point-like layout, line-like interconnection and river basin coverage” for water culture in Shaanxi Province.