Worship the waters of Dujiangyan, seek the Tao at Qingcheng Mountain: A 3-day, 2-night panoramic travel guide to Dujiangyan

1. Why visit Dujiangyan?
- The world’s only ancient water conservancy project still in use: Built 2,200 years ago by Li Bing and his son, it still irrigates the Chengdu Plain and is known as the "Source of the Land of Abundance."
- Qingcheng Mountain, the world’s most secluded: The birthplace of Taoism and a World Cultural Heritage site, explore Taoist temples on the front mountain and enjoy the scenic waters on the back mountain, with an abundance of negative oxygen ions.
- Panda homeland: Panda Valley and Wolong Base are nearby, where you can watch pandas eating and climbing trees up close.
- Chengdu’s backyard garden: Just 30 minutes by high-speed train, perfect for a spontaneous weekend trip, with an average cost of 600 RMB per person to explore everything.

2. Best seasons & what to wear
- March to May (Spring): Rapeseed flowers + Dujiangyan Water Release Festival, experience millennia-old folk customs.
- June to August (Summer): Qingcheng Mountain averages 23°C, perfect for summer cooling and enjoying lush greenery; beware of afternoon thunderstorms, bring a raincoat.
- September to November (Autumn): Ginkgo leaves turn yellow, forests are ablaze with color, the best season for photography.
- December to February (Winter): Fewer tourists, half-price tickets, snow scenery + “Blue Tears” at Nanqiao Bridge, but mountain paths can be icy, so wear anti-slip shoes.
- Clothing: Light jackets + sweatshirts in spring and autumn, short sleeves + raincoat in summer, down jackets + warm packs in winter; layering is essential due to large temperature differences in the mountains.

3. Transportation overview
1. High-speed train: From Chengdu Xipu/Chengdu East to Dujiangyan Station, 30 minutes, ticket price 10-15 RMB; take bus 4 or 14 for 10 minutes from the station to the scenic area.
2. Self-driving: Chengdu-Guanxian Expressway, 1 hour; parking at the scenic area costs 10 RMB per visit; free parking available if staying overnight in the ancient city.
3. Within the city: Bus between scenic spots costs 2-5 RMB; taxi starting fare 7 RMB; for the back mountain or Panda Valley, it’s recommended to charter a car for 200 RMB/day.

4. Classic 3-day, 2-night itinerary

Day 1 | Worship the waters of Dujiangyan
Morning: Take selfies with pandas at Yangtianwo Square → enter the scenic area through the main gate of Lidu Park → Qingxi Garden → Yanggongdao → Fulong Temple (Baopingkou)
Noon: Try "Cold Water Fish Hotpot" or "Zhang Laozhao" inside the scenic area
Afternoon: Feishayan → Yuzui Diversion Dam → Anlan Suspension Bridge → Erwang Temple → Songmao Ancient Trail → overlook the panorama at Yulei Pass → exit the scenic area
Evening: Nanqiao “Blue Tears” light show + snacks on West Street (rabbit head, scallion rolls)
Overnight: Stay at Nanqiao or Guan County Ancient City guesthouse, walk around to enjoy the night view

Day 2 | Seek the Tao at Qingcheng Mountain
Morning: 10-minute high-speed train to Qingcheng Mountain Station → front mountain gate → Natural Painting → Tianshi Cave → Shangqing Palace (take cable car up + walk down, 4.5 hours)
Noon: Vegetarian meal at Shangqing Palace or try the "Four Qingcheng Delicacies" at the foot of the mountain (ginkgo stewed chicken, pickles, fermented milk, bitter tea)
Afternoon: Tea and buy Tangmabing pastries in Jiezhi Ancient Town → return to Dujiangyan
Evening: Ancient city night view + try "Cultural Revolution scallion rolls" and "Mom’s Hotpot Noodles" on Yangliuhe Street

Day 3 | Panda or hidden secret spots (choose one)
A. Panda Valley: Watch pandas eat bamboo and red pandas stroll before 9:00 AM; in the afternoon, overlook Dujiangyan from Lingyan Mountain
B. Hongkou/Longchi: Summer rafting and forest hiking; winter snow viewing and hot springs
Evening: Take the high-speed train back to Chengdu or to the airport

5. Must-try food list
1. You Rabbit Head (Jiang’an Road): Spicy and five-spice combo, topped with crushed peanuts, a must-order late-night snack.
2. Scallion Rolls (Yangliuhe): Thin dough wrapped with shredded radish + mustard sweet sauce, bursting with juice in every bite.
3. Lao Luohao Sweet Noodles (West Street): Thick noodles with sweet and spicy sauce, chewy texture.
4. Cold Water Fish Hotpot (scenic area entrance): Freshly killed rainbow trout, fish slices cooked for 8 seconds only.
5. Qingcheng Smoked Pork Ribs: Smoked with mountain spring water, tastes better the longer it cooks with hotpot and white radish.

6. Accommodation recommendations
- Ancient city core area: Yunfuli·Nanqiao Yunju, 5-minute walk to Nanqiao night view, includes free parking voucher, 300 RMB/night.
- Foot of Qingcheng Mountain: Six Senses/Howard Johnson Hot Spring Hotel, starting at 600 RMB, includes hot springs + breakfast, ideal for vacation.
- Budget option: Panda Station Youth Hostel, dorm bed 60 RMB, suitable for students.

7. Ticket budget (adult)
Dujiangyan 80 RMB (peak season) / Qingcheng Mountain 80 RMB + round-trip cable car 60 RMB + Panda Valley 58 RMB
Total about 280 RMB, half price with student ID; Dujiangyan night tour is free.

8. Pitfalls to avoid & tips
1. Scenic area opens at 7:30 AM; tour groups flood in after 9:00 AM, get up early for exclusive photo opportunities.
2. Anlan Suspension Bridge is one-way; queues can be 30 minutes on holidays. Recommended route: bridge → Erwang Temple → descend Yulei Mountain, no backtracking.
3. Qingcheng Mountain front mountain cable car closes at 5:00 PM; night climbing is dangerous, watch your time.
4. Nanqiao night lights turn on at 8:00 PM and off at 9:30 PM; hurry if you want to capture the "Blue Tears."
5. Rafting season (June to September) tickets should be booked online in advance; on-site prices are higher and may sell out.

9. Extended activities
- 30 minutes by high-speed train back to Chengdu: stroll Chunxi Road and enjoy hotpot at night, easy day trip.
- 1.5 hours by car to Wolong: Panda Base + Balang Mountain sea of clouds, 2 days 1 night light hiking.
- Full hike of front and back mountains: 2 days 1 night, back mountain Taian Ancient Town → Jinbian Rock → Baiyun Temple, see pristine valleys.

In summary
The Minjiang River has flowed eastward for 2,200 years, the morning bells and evening drums of Qingcheng Mountain echo daily. With this guide, you can cover "water, Taoism, and pandas" all in 3 days and 2 nights! Wishing you a wonderful time in Dujiangyan.