Dujiangyan: Enriching the Chengdu Plain for Two Thousand Years!

Hello, fellow travelers! I’m your travel blogger [Your Blogger Name], and today I’ll take you on a journey through a thousand years to explore a magnificent project that still benefits humanity today—the Sichuan Dujiangyan Irrigation System! It is a World Cultural Heritage site, a living epic, and a profound dialogue with the wisdom of the ancients.
✨ **【First Impressions of Dujiangyan: Worship Water at Dujiangyan, Seek Tao at Qingcheng Mountain】**
"Worship water at Dujiangyan, seek Tao at Qingcheng Mountain"—this saying reveals the significance of Dujiangyan in the hearts of Sichuan people. It’s not cold steel and concrete but a model of harmony with nature and unity between heaven and man. When you see with your own eyes how the Min River water is cleverly diverted to irrigate thousands of miles of fertile Chengdu Plain, the awe and admiration you feel are truly beyond words!
🗺️ **【Must-Know Before You Go: Practical Information】**
* **📍 Location:** Dujiangyan City, Chengdu, Sichuan Province
* **🚗 Transportation:**
* **High-speed Rail:** From Chengdu Xipu Station to Dujiangyan Station/Lidui Park Station, about 30 minutes. Lidui Park Station is closer to the scenic area.
* **Bus:** Buses to Dujiangyan depart from Chengdu Chadianzi Bus Station, Xinnanmen Bus Station, and others.
* **Self-driving:** About 1 hour from Chengdu; parking available near the scenic area.
* **🎫 Ticket Information:**
* **Dujiangyan Scenic Area:** Adult ticket 80 RMB/person (online booking recommended).
* **Discounts available for students, seniors, etc., remember to bring relevant ID.**
* **Scenic area ticket + sightseeing bus combo:** Round-trip sightseeing bus 10 RMB/person, from the main gate to core attractions, saving some walking effort.
* **⏰ Opening Hours:** Usually 08:00 - 18:00 (subject to official announcements).
* **🏨 Accommodation Suggestions:**
* **Dujiangyan City:** Many options, convenient dining, good value.
* **Near the Scenic Area:** Mostly characteristic guesthouses and inns, convenient for early morning or evening visits to enjoy tranquility.
* **🍜 Food Recommendations:**
* **Dujiangyan Old Cured Meat:** Rich aroma, a must-try!
* **Zhaza Noodles:** Delicate and smooth, with crispy minced meat topping.
* **Scallion Rolls:** Local specialty snack, fresh and tasty.
* **Qingcheng Mountain Old Cured Meat:** Don’t miss it if you visit Qingcheng Mountain too.
* **Night Market Snacks:** The night market near Nanqiao is lively, perfect for eating while enjoying the night view.
🌟 **【Highlights: Explore Ancient Irrigation Wisdom Along the Waterways】**
The highlights of Dujiangyan Scenic Area are concentrated; it’s recommended to allocate **half a day to a full day**.
**Classic tour route recommendation (upstream for a more impressive experience):**
Lidui Park Entrance → Baopingkou → Feishayan → Yuzui → Anlan Suspension Bridge → Erwang Temple → Qinyan Tower → Yulei Pass → Exit
1️⃣ **Lidui Park & Baopingkou (First Stop: Water Control Throat)**
Enter through Lidui Park’s main gate, and the first sight is the “Fulong View” commemorating the father and son Li Bing. **Baopingkou** is the mountain mouth artificially carved by Li Bing and his son, shaped like a bottle neck, serving as the water intake for the inner river, controlling the water volume entering the Chengdu Plain. Standing on the viewing platform, watching the Min River water precisely diverted, you’ll admire the ancients’ accurate calculations.
2️⃣ **Feishayan (Second Stop: Wisdom of Flood Discharge and Sediment Removal)**
A short walk leads to “Feishayan.” It looks inconspicuous but is the “safety valve” of Dujiangyan. **Function:** When the inner river’s water volume is too large, floodwater overflows Feishayan, automatically discharging into the outer river, while centrifugal force throws sediment into the outer river, achieving sediment removal. The design is astonishingly ingenious.
3️⃣ **Yuzui (Third Stop: The Miracle of Water Division)**
Continuing forward, you reach Dujiangyan’s “heart”—the **Yuzui Water Dividing Dam**. **Function:** It splits the rushing Min River into two: the inner river and the outer river. The inner river irrigates, the outer river discharges floodwater and sediment. During dry seasons, the inner river takes 60% of the water to ensure irrigation; during floods, the outer river takes 60% to reduce disasters. This is the famous “40-60 water division, 20-80 sediment discharge.”
4️⃣ **Anlan Suspension Bridge (Fourth Stop: Swaying History)**
Spanning the inner river, the Anlan Suspension Bridge, also called the “Couples Bridge,” is one of Dujiangyan’s iconic sights. Walking on the swaying suspension bridge, with rushing water below and green mountains on both sides, it’s thrilling yet pleasant! Hold the handrails tightly, walk slowly, and enjoy the scenery on both banks.
5️⃣ **Erwang Temple & Qinyan Tower (Fifth Stop: Gratitude and Overlook)**
After crossing Anlan Suspension Bridge is **Erwang Temple**, dedicated to Li Bing and his son, with bustling incense offerings. Here you can learn about their lives and the history of Dujiangyan’s construction. **Qinyan Tower**, located on a high spot beside Erwang Temple, is the **best place to overlook the entire Dujiangyan**! The three core projects—Yuzui, Feishayan, and Baopingkou—are all in view, spectacular and perfect for photos!
6️⃣ **Yulei Pass & Nanqiao (Optional: Climb for Views and Night Scenery)**
If you have the energy, climb **Yulei Pass**, an ancient military fortress overlooking Dujiangyan city and the Min River scenery. After touring the scenic area, don’t forget to stroll around **Nanqiao**. By day, it’s an ancient bridge with carved beams and painted rafters; by night, it lights up brilliantly, a landmark of Dujiangyan’s nightlife.
💡 **【Blogger’s Private Tips: Make Your Trip Perfect】**
1. **Best time to visit:** Spring and autumn for pleasant weather. Summer has abundant water for more spectacular flood discharge scenes but beware of heat and sun. Winter is relatively quiet.
2. **Recommend hiring a guide or renting an audio guide:** The essence of Dujiangyan lies in its hydraulic principles and historical background; explanations help you better understand the wisdom.
3. **Wear comfortable shoes:** There’s a lot of walking inside the scenic area; comfortable sneakers are recommended.
4. **Avoid crowds:** Try to visit on weekdays or early morning at opening or late afternoon near closing for a better experience.
5. **Recommended combined trips:**
* **Qingcheng Mountain:** “Seek Tao at Qingcheng Mountain,” not far from Dujiangyan, can be arranged for 1-2 days to experience the tranquility of this famous Taoist mountain.
* **Panda Valley:** Near Dujiangyan Scenic Area, you can see adorable giant pandas.
6. **For photography lovers:** Qinyan Tower, Yuzui, Anlan Suspension Bridge, and Nanqiao night scenes are excellent photo spots. Soft light in early morning and evening makes for better shots.
7. **Respect the culture:** Please keep quiet and follow rules when visiting temples and historic sites.
Dujiangyan is not just a “scenic spot” but a symbol of spirit. It shows us that humans can live in harmony with nature, using nature rather than conquering it. When you stand before the rushing river, feeling the unceasing vitality of two thousand years, you will deeply respect the wisdom of the ancients and better understand the meaning of “benefiting the present and the future.”
Come to Sichuan, don’t just eat hotpot and see pandas—be sure to set aside a day for Dujiangyan. This “gift” from over two thousand years ago will surely make your trip worthwhile and fulfilling!
Alright, that’s all for today’s Dujiangyan guide! If you have any questions or want to share your Dujiangyan journey, feel free to leave a comment! If you like my sharing, don’t forget to like, follow, and share! See you next time, bye~ 👋