A Comprehensive Travel Guide to Dujiangyan Irrigation System in Sichuan
Dujiangyan, located in the northwest of Chengdu Plain, within the territory of Dujiangyan City, Sichuan Province, is a world-renowned ancient water conservancy project. Built over 2,200 years ago during the Warring States Period, it was masterminded and constructed by Li Bing, a governor of Shu County, and his son. This remarkable project has effectively controlled the Min River, diverting water for irrigation and preventing floods, ensuring the fertile Chengdu Plain's prosperity and earning it the accolade of "Land of Abundance."
I. Main Scenic Areas of Dujiangyan
1. Fish Mouth (Yuzui)
The Fish Mouth is the entrance of the Dujiangyan irrigation system, cleverly dividing the Min River into the Inner and Outer Rivers. The Inner River is used for irrigation, while the Outer River serves for flood discharge. Standing on the Fish Mouth, you can see the surging river water and the magnificent mountains in the distance, fully experiencing the grandeur of this ancient project.
2. Flying Sand Weir (Feishayan)
The Flying Sand Weir is an important part of Dujiangyan's flood discharge system. When the water level of the Inner River rises to a certain height, the excess water will flow over the Flying Sand Weir into the Outer River, effectively preventing floods. The design of the Flying Sand Weir is very scientific, utilizing the principle of centrifugal force to smoothly discharge the silt in the river, ensuring the smooth flow of the Inner River.
3. Bottle Mouth (Baopingkou)
The Bottle Mouth is the water intake project of the Dujiangyan irrigation system, ingeniously controlling the amount of water entering the Inner River. The shape of the Bottle Mouth is like a bottle, narrow and long, which can effectively control the water flow. The construction of the Bottle Mouth at that time was very difficult, as it required blasting rocks with fire, which was a great feat in the absence of modern technology.
4. Erwang Temple (Erwangmiao)
Erwang Temple is a temple built in memory of Li Bing and his son. Inside the temple, there are statues of Li Bing and his son, as well as some historical relics and cultural exhibits. Climbing up Erwang Temple, you can overlook the entire Dujiangyan irrigation system and the beautiful scenery of the surrounding mountains and rivers.
II. Tourist Routes
1. Classic One-Day Tour
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Morning: Enter the Dujiangyan scenic area from the main entrance, first visit the Fish Mouth, understand the water diversion principle of Dujiangyan, and take some photos of the river scenery.
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Midday: Continue to visit the Flying Sand Weir, learn about its flood discharge function, and feel the wisdom of ancient people in water conservancy engineering.
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Afternoon: Visit the Bottle Mouth, understand how it controls the water flow, and then climb up Erwang Temple to pay respects to Li Bing and his son and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
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Evening: You can go to the nearby South Bridge to enjoy the night view, or go to the old street to taste local snacks and buy some souvenirs.
2. In-Depth Two-Day Tour
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Day 1: Follow the classic one-day tour route, thoroughly visit each scenic spot in Dujiangyan, and in the evening, stay in a hotel in Dujiangyan City to rest.
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Day 2: Visit the nearby Mount Qingcheng, which is a famous Taoist mountain and a World Cultural Heritage site. On Mount Qingcheng, you can visit the Taoist temples, appreciate the natural scenery, and experience the profound Taoist culture.
III. Transportation
1. By Air
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is the nearest major airport to Dujiangyan. After arriving at the airport, you can take a taxi directly to Dujiangyan scenic area, which takes about 1 hour and costs around 150-200 yuan. Alternatively, you can take the airport bus to Chengdu City center, and then transfer to a bus or take a high-speed train to Dujiangyan.
2. By High-Speed Train
Chengdu has a well-developed high-speed rail network. You can take a high-speed train from Chengdu East Station or Chengdu South Station to Dujiangyan Station. The journey takes about 30-40 minutes, and the ticket price is around 20-30 yuan. After arriving at Dujiangyan Station, you can take a taxi or bus to the scenic area.
3. By Bus
There are many long-distance buses from Chengdu to Dujiangyan. You can take a bus at Chengdu's Xinnanmen Bus Station or Tea Flower Bus Station. The journey takes about 1-1.5 hours, and the ticket price is around 15-20 yuan. After arriving at Dujiangyan Bus Station, transfer to a local bus or take a taxi to the scenic area.
IV. Accommodation
1. Hotels near the Scenic Area
If you want to be close to the scenic spot, you can choose to stay in a hotel near Dujiangyan. These hotels usually have convenient transportation, and you can enter the scenic area early in the morning to avoid the crowd. The price varies depending on the hotel's grade and facilities, generally ranging from 200 to 800 yuan per night.
2. Local Inns
Dujiangyan has many local inns with unique local characteristics. Staying in a local inn can let you experience the local folk customs and culture. The price of local inns is relatively affordable, generally between 100 and 300 yuan per night. Some inns also provide breakfast and tourist consulting services.
3. Hotels in the City Center
If you prefer more shopping and dining options, you can choose to stay in a hotel in the city center of Dujiangyan. The city center has a complete range of facilities, with many restaurants, supermarkets, and entertainment venues. The price of hotels in the city center is moderate, generally between 150 and 400 yuan per night.
V. Food
1. Local Snacks
Dujiangyan has a variety of delicious local snacks. Among them, the most famous are Dujiangyan hotpot, Li Bing chicken, and Dujiangyan tofu banquet. Dujiangyan hotpot is characterized by its fresh and spicy taste, with a variety of ingredients. Li Bing chicken is tender and delicious, with a unique flavor. The Dujiangyan tofu banquet uses local tofu as the main ingredient, with various cooking methods and delicate taste.
2. Specialty Restaurants
In addition to local snacks, Dujiangyan also has many specialty restaurants. These restaurants offer a variety of Sichuan dishes and local characteristic dishes. You can choose according to your taste preferences. Some restaurants also have private rooms and provide banquets for group tourists.
3. Street Food
Dujiangyan's streets and alleys have many street food stalls selling various snacks such as grilled squid, spicy cold noodles, and local dumplings. Walking on the street, tasting street food, and feeling the local life is also a good experience.
VI. Tips for Visiting Dujiangyan
1. Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Dujiangyan is in spring and autumn. In spring, the weather is warm and the surrounding mountains are full of blooming flowers. In autumn, the climate is cool and the mountains are covered with red leaves, presenting a beautiful scenery. Avoid visiting during the rainy season in summer, as heavy rains may affect your visit and even pose safety hazards.
2. Purchase Tickets in Advance
To avoid wasting time queuing at the scenic spot, it is recommended to purchase tickets in advance through online platforms. Many platforms offer discounted tickets and provide detailed scenic spot introductions and tourist guides.
3. Hire a Tour Guide
If you want to better understand the history and culture of Dujiangyan, you can hire a professional tour guide. Tour guides can provide in-depth explanations of each scenic spot and answer your questions. Alternatively, you can rent an audio guide at the scenic spot to listen to the introduction while touring.
4. Pay Attention to Safety
When visiting Dujiangyan, pay attention to personal safety, especially when taking photos near the riverbank. Do not approach dangerous areas, and follow the scenic spot's safety signs and staff instructions.
5. Respect Local Customs
Dujiangyan is a place with a profound cultural heritage. When visiting, respect local customs and cultural relics, do not scribble or damage them. At the same time, be polite to local residents and other tourists to jointly maintain a good tourism environment.
In summary, Dujiangyan is a place full of history, culture, and natural beauty. Whether you are interested in ancient water conservancy projects, cultural relic sites, or natural landscapes, Dujiangyan will not disappoint you. I hope this travel guide can help you plan a wonderful trip to Dujiangyan and leave you with unforgettable memories.
