Home > Attractions >

Dujiangyan

As the ancient irrigation system along the silk road, it is the best place where you can experience the wisdom of the ancients.

Introduction of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System:
Dujiangyan City is one of the places inhabited by the ancestors of the Shu State in ancient China. Located in the central part of Sichuan Province, Dujiangyan is not only a cultural city with a long history but also a famous place of interest. The Dujiangyan Irrigation System on the northwest of the city is renowned far and wide.

What to visit in Dujiangyan Scenic Area?
The sceneries in the Dujiangyan scenic area is quite fascinating, and there are many key points of interest and ancient relics, making it really an ideal tourist resort. On the Yulei Mountain, there is the Erwang Temple built to commemorate Li Bing and his son.
The headwork consists of three projects: Yuzui, Feishayan, Baopingkou.
Yuzui is a long and narrow dyke built in the center of the Minjiang River, dividing Minjiang into the inner river and the outer. The inner river diverts water into Chengdu Plain through Baopingkou. And the outer is the main flow, which carries off 80% of silt. Feishayan is a spillway for releasing flood and silt from the inner river to the outer river. Baopingkou is the main diversion gate to draw in water for irrigation in the shape of the bottleneck. In the construction of the irrigation system, Li Bing had a canal cut through the Yulei Mountain toward Chengdu Plain. Baopingkou marks the inlet of the man-made river. It works for conducting water and controlling the volume of inflowing water. The Dujiangyan Irrigation System receives numerous foreign tourists every year, including quite a lot of water conservancy experts, who sing highly of the scientific level of the irrigation system.

Dragon-Taming Temple:
There are many historic sites in the area. The Dragon-Taming Temple is located on the top of a small hill in Dujiangyan of Sichuan Province. There are three palaces now in the temple. A stone figure of Li Bing is in the middle of the main palace. It was unearthed in 1974. This figure is made of white sandstone, wearing a hat and is dressed in a long cloth. The stone figure was made in the early years of the Emperor Lingdi of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) and the earliest round carving stone figure. On the back, the hall is displayed as an electric model of the Dujiangyan irrigation area. On the left of the temple is Baopingkou, where the water in the river surges forward and forms a majestic spectacle. A pavilion called Guanlan Pavilion is at the highest point behind the temple, from which you can see many beautiful views such as the Minjiang River.

Fulong Temple:
The best place to see the system is at Fulong Temple, built in AD 168 during the Han dynasty in honor of Li Bing and his son. The Guanlan Bridge is the highest point in the temple complex and overlooks the river. In the buildings are artifacts related to Li Bing and in the main hall is a nearly 10-foot-tall (3 m)5-ton (4.5-metric ton) statue of him that was thrown into the river as a sacrifice.

Chongde Ancestral Temple:
First built in the Southern and Northern Dynasties (386-581) and named the Chongde Ancestral Temple, the temple was renamed the Erwang Temple after Li Bing and his son were appointed as kings in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). The extant buildings were rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The buildings in the temple were arranged according to the terrain of the mountain, and are magnificent and elegant.

When is the best time to visit?
Every summer is the best season to travel to Dujiangyan, compare with Chengdu, the weather of Dujiangyan is temperate, and it is a real summer resort.
During the winter, it feels colder than the actual temperature may lead you to believe and in the summer, the humidity can feel overwhelming when combined with the heat- don't forget to bring your sunscreen products.

The history of Dujiangyan:
Around 250BC during the Warring States Period (475-221BC), Li Bing, a governor of Shu in the Qin state (present Sichuan Province) with his son directed the construction of Dujiangyan. The governor gave up the old ways of dam building which was simply trying to catch the floodwaters. Instead, he employed a new method by channeling and dividing the water to harness the Minjiang River. He accomplished this by separating the project into two main parts: the headwork and the irrigation system. The project effectively put the flooding waters under control. For over two thousand years the whole system has functioned perfectly, serving as not only as flood prevention but also as an immense source for irrigation as well as a means to facilitate shipping and wood drifting. It has contributed greatly to the richness of the Chengdu Plain and helps it earn its reputation as "The Land of Abundance".

Travel tips:
1.Dujiangyan has a magnificent natural landscape and pleasant climate. However, the 5.12 earthquake destroyed most of the beauty of Dujiangyan. Some buildings in urban areas and scenic spots are labeled.
2.Travelers can take part in the beer festival in the summer evening if visitors would like to travel to Dujiangyan in Summer.
3.The annual Drainage Festival will be held at the Qingming Festival.

The admission fees: 80 RMB/Person

Opening time:
Peak season:
1st May to 30th November ( 8.00 AM to 6.00 PM )
Off season: 1st December to 28th February ( 8.00 AM to 5.30 PM )


Related Articles & Posts

 E'mei Mountain                                        Giant Panda Research Base 

 Jiuzhai Valley                                           Leshan Buddha Sculpture 


Recommended Silk Road Tours

 West China & Silk Road Spring Tour           Chengdu-Leshan Two Days Tour 

 9 Days Chengdu Jiuzhaigou Tour               Track the Footstep of Tang Sanzang Adventure Tour
feedbackinstagramASTA PATA IATA

Xinjiang China Travel is a branch of China Travel Agency Co. Ltd. (established 1987)

China Silkroad Travel Copyright © 2007. All Rights Reserved to Xinjiang China Travel. Design By: TravelCMS

Tourism Operating License: L--XB00212 Urumqi Tourism Bureau: 0991-2843661 We are the China Silk Road Travel Specialists! sitemap