While Chengdu (成都) is famous for its pandas, hotpot, and laid-back lifestyle, one of the most fascinating day trips from the city is undoubtedly Dujiangyan Scenic Area (都江堰景区). Home to a 2,000-year-old irrigation system that still functions today, Dujiangyan Scenic Area (都江堰景区) combines history, engineering, culture, and beautiful mountain scenery. On a pleasant day, I set off from Chengdu (成都) for a self-guided exploration of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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| Dujiangyan Irrigation System, an UNESCO World Heritage Site |
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An Early Start from Chengdu
The day began early at Mercure Chengdu Chunxi (成都春熙美居酒店), conveniently located in the heart of Chengdu. After breakfast, I headed to Tianfu Square Metro Station (天府广场站) and boarded the metro towards Xipu Station (犀浦站).
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| Waiting at the almost empty Tianfu Square Metro Station |
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| Metro single journey ticket |
Upon arriving at Xipu (犀浦), I followed the signs and took the short walk to Xipu Railway Station (犀浦站), where the metro and high-speed rail networks are seamlessly connected. This convenient transfer makes independent travel to Dujiangyan (都江堰) remarkably easy.
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| Waiting at Xipu Railway Station |
Soon, I boarded a high-speed train bound for Dujiangyan Railway Station (都江堰站). The journey took only around half an hour, offering glimpses of Chengdu's expanding suburbs before reaching the historic city.
Outside Dujiangyan Railway Station (都江堰站), I boarded Bus No. 4, which brought me directly to the Dujiangyan Lidui Park (都江堰-离堆公园) entrance of the scenic area.
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| Welcome sign outside Dujiangyan Railway Station |
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| Onboard public Bus No. 4 to Dujiangyan Scenic Area |
Entering Through Lidui Park (离堆公园)
Starting at Lidui Park (离堆公园) is one of the best ways to explore Dujiangyan Scenic Area (都江堰景区) as it follows the natural flow of the irrigation system.
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| Entrance to Dujiangyan Scenic Area |
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| Entrance ticket |
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| Map at the back of the ticket |
The park itself is beautifully landscaped with ancient trees, traditional architecture, and tranquil pathways. Walking through the entrance, I could already sense the rich history that permeates the entire site.
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| Introduction of Baopingkou |
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| Water rushing though the narrow channel from the main Min River |
Standing above the channel, I was amazed by the ingenuity of the ancient engineers. Without modern machinery, they managed to carve a precise opening through solid rock, allowing water to flow efficiently while reducing the risk of flooding.
The rushing water below vividly demonstrated why the system continues to operate effectively today.
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| View of Feishayan and the entrance to Baopingkou |
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| Statue of Li Bing, the architect of the irrigation system |
Feishayan (飞沙堰): The Flying Sand Weir
Following the pathway, I arrived at Feishayan (飞沙堰), commonly translated as the Flying Sand Weir.
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| Crossing the bridge towards Renzi Dyke |
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| River view from the bridge |
This critical component of the irrigation system serves as a natural flood-control and sediment-discharge mechanism. During periods of high water, excess flow and sediment are automatically diverted away, preventing damage downstream.
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| Introduction of Feishayan |
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| View of Baopingkou from Feishayan |
Watching the powerful currents surge through the channels provided a real appreciation of the brilliance behind Dujiangyan's design. Rather than fighting nature, the system works in harmony with the river's natural behavior.
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| River view from Feishayan |
Yuzui (鱼嘴): The Fish Mouth Levee
Continuing onward, I reached Yuzui (鱼嘴), the iconic Fish Mouth Levee.
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| Crossing the bridge towards Jingang Dyke |
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| View of Feishayan from the bridge |
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| Strolling through the quiet park at Jingang Dyke |
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| View of Anlan Suspension Bridge and Qinyan Tower enroute to Yuzui |
This man-made levee splits the Min River into two channels—the Inner River and Outer River. The shape resembles the head of a fish, hence its name.
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| Introduction of Yuzui |
From the viewing platform, the engineering masterpiece was clearly visible. One branch channels water for irrigation while the other manages excess flow, creating a balanced and sustainable water distribution system.
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| River view at Yuzui |
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| View of Anlan Suspension Bridge and Qinyan Tower from Yuzui |
This is perhaps the most photographed section of Dujiangyan Scenic Area (都江堰景区) and one of the best places to appreciate the scale of the entire project.
Crossing the Anlan Suspension Bridge (安澜桥)
Next came one of the highlights of the visit: crossing the famous Anlan Suspension Bridge (安澜桥).
Suspended above the Min River, the bridge gently swayed beneath the footsteps of visitors. The panoramic views of the river, mountains, and irrigation channels were spectacular.
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| Crossing Anlan Suspension Bridge |
The crossing offered a unique perspective of the ancient engineering works while adding a touch of adventure to the journey.
Climbing to Qinyan Tower (秦堰楼)
After crossing the bridge, I made my way to Qinyan Tower (秦堰楼).
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| Climbing towards Qinyan Tower |
Perched on elevated ground, the tower provides one of the finest panoramic viewpoints in the scenic area. From here, the entire irrigation system unfolds before your eyes.
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| Qinyan Tower observatory platform |
The winding river channels, historic structures, and lush greenery combine to create a breathtaking landscape. It was the perfect place to pause and absorb the significance of what I had seen so far.
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| Fantastic panoramic view of the Min River and surrounding mountains |
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| View of Anlan Suspension Bridge and Yuzui |
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| View of the entire Jingang Dyke |
Erwang Temple (二王庙): Honoring Li Bing and His Son
Nearby stands Erwang Temple (二王庙), dedicated to Li Bing and his son, the masterminds behind the Dujiangyan Irrigation System.
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| Entering Erwang Temple |
The temple complex is rich in cultural and historical significance. Traditional halls, intricate carvings, and ancient courtyards tell the story of the men whose engineering vision transformed Sichuan's agricultural future.
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| Erwang Temple |
Inside, many visitors pay respects while learning about the remarkable achievements that made Chengdu's fertile plain possible.
Yulei Pass (玉垒关) and West Pass (西关)
The climb continued toward Yulei Pass (玉垒关), one of the highest points within the scenic area.
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| Ancient Songmao Road |
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| Yulei Pass |
The ascent rewarded me with sweeping views of Dujiangyan City, the Min River, and the surrounding mountains. The combination of natural beauty and historical significance made the effort worthwhile.
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| View of Jingang Dyke |
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| View of Feishayan |
From Yulei Pass (玉垒关), I proceeded to West Pass (西关), enjoying quieter walking trails shaded by trees and dotted with traditional pavilions.
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| West Pass |
These elevated sections provided a different perspective from the riverside attractions and showcased the scenic beauty surrounding the irrigation works.
Exiting via South Bridge (南桥)
After descending from the mountain paths, I exited the scenic area near the beautiful South Bridge (南桥).
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| Descending through rows of shops |
The bridge is particularly famous for its elaborate traditional architecture and colourful decorations. Stretching across the river, it serves as one of Dujiangyan's most recognizable landmarks.
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| Entrance of South Bridge |
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| Beautiful paintings and decorations along the bridge |
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| South Bridge leading back to entrance at Lidui Park |
The bustling streets around the bridge offered a lively contrast to the tranquil historical sites visited earlier in the day.
A Well-Deserved Lunch: Rabbit Noodles
By this point, several hours of walking had worked up a healthy appetite.
Fortunately, numerous local eateries can be found near South Bridge (南桥). I settled into a small restaurant and ordered a bowl of Dujiangyan's famous rabbit noodles.
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| Rabbit noodles |
The tender rabbit meat, combined with springy noodles and a rich, spicy Sichuan-style sauce, created a wonderfully satisfying meal. The dish delivered just the right balance of savoury flavours and mild heat, making it the perfect reward after a morning of exploration.
Final Thoughts
A visit to Dujiangyan Scenic Area is much more than a sightseeing excursion. It is a journey through one of humanity's greatest engineering achievements, a system that has controlled floods and irrigated farmland continuously for over two thousand years.
The excellent transport connections from Chengdu (成都) make independent travel straightforward and affordable. By following the route from Lidui Park (离堆公园) through Baopingkou (宝瓶口), Feishayan (飞沙堰), Yuzui (鱼嘴), Anlan Bridge (安澜桥), Qinyan Tower (秦堰楼), Erwang Temple (二王庙), Yulei Pass (玉垒关), West Pass, and finally South Bridge (南桥), visitors can fully appreciate both the engineering genius and natural beauty of this remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For anyone visiting Chengdu (成都), Dujiangyan Scenic Area (都江堰景区) deserves a place near the top of the itinerary. It offers a fascinating blend of history, culture, architecture, and scenic landscapes that perfectly showcases the enduring legacy of ancient Sichuan.
