Dujiangyan · Encounter the Ancient Water Conservancy City and Pandas

When visiting Dujiangyan, you must experience the awe of the water conservancy project and the leisure of the ancient city 🎋. Spend the morning at the Dujiangyan Scenic Area, rest at the hotel at noon, and stroll and snack along the stone-paved road in the evening, passing by Xuanhua Gate, Selfie Giant Panda, Tianfu Blue Tears, South Bridge, and the Ming City Wall in sequence. Early the next morning, visit the panda. Please keep this guide✨

📍Tour Route:
1. Dujiangyan Scenic Area: Booked a private tour on Trip.com, customized for 1.5 hours but lasted 2 hours. No sightseeing bus was taken; the scenic area is not large, so walking while listening to the guide is the best way.
2. Guanxian Ancient City: This well-preserved ancient city has a history of over 2,000 years and has been continuously inhabited, full of life and affordable quality goods. Stroll along the bluestone road on Xingfu Road, flanked by Western Sichuan-style wooden buildings, various snack stalls, and handicraft shops. Be sure to try Zhang rice wine 🍢.

Xuanhua Gate: The landmark building of the ancient city and a great spot for photos 📸. It is recommended to visit at dusk when the light and shadows are especially beautiful.

Selfie Giant Panda: Facing away from Xuanhua Gate, walk a little to the left, and you will arrive.

Tianfu Blue Tears: After Selfie Giant Panda, continue left to reach it! We viewed it from opposite Yangtianwo. The Yangtianwo covered bridge is accessible and very beautiful! The lighting dyes Dujiangyan’s water system a dreamy blue, like flowing sapphires 💙. Remember to bring a camera to capture the night scene; the best photo spot is from opposite Yangtianwo, where the covered bridge and Yulei Mountain can be included in the frame.

South Bridge: The oldest covered bridge in Dujiangyan, with a teahouse on the bridge for resting, but it gets crowded at night.

Ming City Wall: Well-preserved ancient city wall ruins where you can climb high for a panoramic view overlooking the entire Guanxian Ancient City, perfect for photos.

The order above is the sightseeing sequence! Departure around 18:50 from Yangliuhe Street.

7. Panda Valley: A forest paradise to observe giant pandas up close. Arrived around 8:15 AM with no waiting lines and got to see the pandas 🐼.

🍜 Food Recommendations:
▫️ Taiping Zhang Rice Wine (Guanxian Ancient City Branch): The brown sugar rice wine and mixed sauce noodles are exceptional; northern kids especially love it.
▫️ Zhong Duck: Ordered a set meal with spicy and non-spicy options, well balanced and acceptable for northerners.

🚗 Transportation and Accommodation Tips:
It takes only 20 minutes by intercity high-speed train from Chengdu to Lidui Park Station. There are electric carts inside the scenic area for transportation, but the area is small, so walking while listening to the guide is best. Panda Valley is a bit far from the city and requires a taxi.
Stay on Yangliuhe Street in the ancient city, just a few hundred meters’ walk to Dujiangyan Scenic Area; it’s also convenient to stroll the ancient city with elders and children in the evening.

✨ Practical Tips:
✔️ It is recommended to visit the Dujiangyan Water Conservancy Project first and hire a guide for a deeper understanding of this great project; most audio guides cost 10 yuan, which is effective, though surprisingly, unlike other cities, no deposit is required.
✔️ The ancient city is lively at night, and the night view has a unique charm.
✔️ Panda Valley requires advance booking and avoid the pandas’ noon nap time.
✔️ The best time to view the Blue Tears is within one hour after sunset.