Managing water resources amidst the pressures of climate change and human activities is a significant challenge, especially in regions experiencing shrinking lakes, deteriorating water quality, and ecological degradation. This review focuses on achieving integrated river basin management by learning from the governance experiences of typical watersheds globally, using the Hulun Lake Basin as a case study. Hulun Lake, China’s fifth-largest lake, experienced severe ecological problems from 2000 to 2009 but saw improvements after comprehensive management efforts from 2012 onward. This review systematically explores methods to address water resource, environment, and ecological challenges through the lenses of data acquisition, mechanism identification, model simulation, and regulation and management. Drawing lessons from successful basins such as the Rhine, Ganges, Mississippi, and Murray–Darling, the review proposes key goals for comprehensive management, including establishing extensive monitoring networks, developing predictive models, and creating contingency plans for routine and emergency management. Leveraging advanced technologies like satellite imagery and IoT sensors, alongside continuous improvement mechanisms, will ensure the sustainable use and protection of river basins. This review provides a detailed roadmap for achieving comprehensive watershed management in Hulun Lake, summarizing effective strategies and outcomes from data acquisition to regulation, thus serving as a model for similar regions globally.