水洞沟是中国最早发掘的旧石器时代文化遗址，被誉为“中国史前考古的发祥地”、“中西方文化交流的历史见证”，被国家列为“最具中华文明意义的百项考古发现”之一。是全国重点文物保护单位，国家AAAAA级旅游景区，国家地质公园。荣获“中国最值得外国人去的50个地方”银奖。

Shuidonggou, as one of the earliest Palaeolithic excavations of cultural sites of China, is acclaimed as "The Birthplace of China's Prehistoric Archeology," "Historical Evidence of Cultural Exchanges between East and West," and was listed as "one of the most significant archaeological discoveries among the 100 Chinese civilization sites". The site is also known as one of the national key cultural relics protection units, national 5A-level scenic spot, national geological park and awarded Silver Prize as one of the 50 places well worth visiting by foreign tourists.