Complete Guide to Checking in at Dujiangyan Blue Tears, Stunningly Beautiful to the Point of Speechlessness

Who would have thought that in Dujiangyan, where Li Bing managed the water 2,200 years ago, there is a glowing river more magical than in "Avatar"! This firsthand guide teaches you how to capture cinematic shots with your phone, including hidden spots and pitfall avoidance tips👇

✅Must-See Highlights
At nightfall, the Min River water reflects the lights on Nanqiao Bridge (mainly warm yellow and blue-purple), presenting a dreamy blue glow💧 that flickers like "blue tears" with the flowing water. The neon on the bridge and the reflections on the river surface complement each other, making you feel like you are in a secret galaxy🌌. This is not bioluminescence but an optical magic of light and water—the clear Min River water combined with multicolored spotlights (mainly blue) and the ancient architectural lighting of the bridge create a visual feast of "water as blue as tears, bridge shining like stars"🌟.

✅Best Photo Spots
1. Tianfu Yuan Corridor Bridge: A hidden gem favored by locals in Chengdu! Shoot from the stairway at a 45-degree angle, where the blue light flows like silk over your ankles👣. Walk 200 meters upstream from Nanqiao Bridge along the river, and after 10:00 PM you can capture the entire starry river🌠.

2. Nanqiao Viewing Platform: The most stunning moment is at 7:30 PM when the lights turn on! Use a tripod for a 3-second long exposure; the river instantly turns into blue silk (iPhone users can turn on Live Photo mode📱). Buy a small lantern for 5 yuan by the roadside🏮, and the face light instantly turns cool white✨.

3. Viewing Platform to the Left of Xuanhua Gate: A god’s-eye view unknown to 99% of tourists! Capture the full panorama of the corridor bridge while avoiding crowds👥, and the couple’s back view shots are simply legendary💑.

✅Practical Tips
1️⃣ Viewing Time: The golden time is from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM (when it’s fully dark, all lights are on, and the crowd is moderate); on weekends and holidays, it gets crowded after 8:00 PM, so arrive half an hour earlier or later⏰.
2️⃣ Transportation: Take the intercity train from Chengdu Xipu Station or Chadianzi Station to Dujiangyan Station (30 minutes, ticket price 10 yuan)🚄. From the station, take a 5-minute taxi or bus routes 4 or 9 directly to Nanqiao Bridge🚌. If driving, navigate to "Dujiangyan Nanqiao Parking Lot"; parking in the city costs about 10-20 yuan per night (parking is tight on weekends, so arrive early)🚗.
3️⃣ Accommodation Recommendations: Stay at guesthouses near Nanqiao Bridge, a 5-minute walk to the scenic area, with average prices of 200-400 yuan per night; some have terraces with direct night views🌃. The Sunac Cultural Tourism City Hotel is suitable for families or ski lovers, a 15-minute drive from Nanqiao Bridge, with packages including tickets to Snow World and Water World🎿.
4️⃣ Pitfall Warnings: The "blue tears" effect weakens on rainy days or when the Min River water level rises🌧️; check Dujiangyan hydrological forecasts in advance. The bridge steps are slippery, wear non-slip shoes👟, and there are no railings by the riverbank, so be extra cautious with children⚠️.
5️⃣ Outfit Suggestions: Wear white or light-colored clothes (blue and white match the night scene), or Hanfu/ethnic-style clothing (there are many ancient-style photo spots on the bridge)👘; bring a fill light or phone tripod (long exposure requires stable equipment)📸.

✅Nearby Activities
1️⃣ Daytime Activities: Visit the World Cultural Heritage Dujiangyan Scenic Area, explore Fulongguan and Baopingkou, and climb Qinyan Tower for a panoramic view of the water conservancy project (ticket 80 yuan, allow 3-4 hours)🏯. For lunch near Nanqiao Bridge, try You Rabbit Head (spicy rabbit head with young ginger frog), Zhong Duck (sweet-skinned duck)🦆, or Lao Ma Dumplings (thin skin, tender filling)🍜.
2️⃣ Nighttime Plans: Arrive at Nanqiao Bridge by 6:30 PM to shoot the dusk transition period (blue hour sky and early lights, with cool and warm contrasts)🌆; at 7:30 PM when all lights are on, focus on shooting the "blue tears," interspersed with browsing intangible cultural heritage and creative stalls on the bridge (sugar painting, bamboo weaving)🎨, and street singer performances (folk music is regular)🎤; at 9:00 PM, walk to West Street (ancient street night scene), enjoy a cup of gaiwan tea🍵, or go to Sunac Snow World (night skiing, reservation required)❄️.