Explore Chengdu Panda Base and Leshan Giant Buddha in one day, and enjoy a traditional Xiba tofu banquet and discover Sichuan’s famous creature and Buddhist heritage.......
Dujiangyan Irrigation Dam
The Dujiangyan Irrigation System is one of the world’s oldest and most remarkable water conservancy projects. Located on the Minjiang River in Sichuan Province, it was first constructed in 256 BC during the Warring States Period under the direction of Li Bing, the governor of Shu.
Unlike a conventional dam, Dujiangyan was designed to control and distribute the river’s water naturally. The system diverts water from the Minjiang River toward the fertile Chengdu Plain, helping control floods while providing irrigation water.
Remarkably, the ancient irrigation system is still functioning today, more than 2,000 years after its construction.
Three Major Components of Dujiangyan
The Dujiangyan Irrigation System consists of three principal engineering components:
* Fish Mouth Levee (Yuzui) – divides the Minjiang River and directs water into different channels.
* Flying Sand Weir (Feishayan) – helps regulate the amount of water entering the irrigation system and allows excess sediment and floodwater to pass through.
* Bottle-Neck Channel (Baopingkou) – controls the flow of water toward the Chengdu Plain.
Together, these ingenious structures form an integrated water-management system that continues to demonstrate the engineering wisdom of ancient China.
Cultural Heritage Around Dujiangyan
The area surrounding Dujiangyan is rich in historical and cultural attractions. Important sites include:
* Erwang Temple (Temple of the Two Kings)
* Fulong Temple (Temple of the Hidden Dragon)
* Anlan Bridge (Bridge of Peaceful Waves)
* Lidui Park and Lidui
* Historic stone inscriptions and monuments
These sites provide a deeper understanding of the history of Li Bing, his water-management achievements, and the development of Sichuan civilization.
Li Bing and Ancient Water Management
Li Bing is remembered as the key figure behind the construction of Dujiangyan. Rather than trying to block the Minjiang River with a massive dam, he and his engineers developed a system that worked with the river’s natural flow.
This approach helped transform the Chengdu Plain into one of China’s most productive agricultural regions and contributed to Sichuan’s reputation as the “Land of Abundance.”
Stone Inscriptions and Cultural Relics
Dujiangyan also contains valuable historical inscriptions, sculptures, maps, and artworks.
Large stone inscriptions dating from the Qing Dynasty can be found in the surrounding mountains, including inscriptions praising the area’s natural scenery.
A remarkable stone statue of Li Bing, measuring approximately 2.9 meters high and weighing about 4.5 tons, was excavated from the riverbed in 1974. The sculpture is considered an important example of early Chinese stone carving.
Historical displays also include:
* Ancient water-management records
* Qing Dynasty maps of Dujiangyan
* Inscriptions honoring Li Bing and his son
* Historical documents
* Works by renowned modern Chinese artists such as Xu Beihong, Zhang Daqian, and Guan Shanyue
Visit Dujiangyan
The Dujiangyan Irrigation System is more than an ancient engineering achievement. It represents the relationship between people, water, agriculture, and nature that has shaped Sichuan for more than two millennia.
For visitors to Chengdu, a trip to Dujiangyan offers the opportunity to experience both an extraordinary ancient waterworks system and a landscape rich in Chinese history and culture.
Qingchengshan and Dujiangyan Dam Tours Recommended:
1. 1 Day Mt Qingchengshan and Dujiangyan Dam Tour
1. 1 Day Mt Qingchengshan and Dujiangyan Dam Tour
More Attractions
-
Best information of Leshan Buddha, including its tour map, weather, photo and introduction....... -
Discover Daocheng Yading in Sichuan, China’s Last Shangri-La featuring sacred snow mounta...... -
Discover Jiayang Steam Train in Leshan Sichuan, one of the world’s last operating narrow-...... -
Discover Danba Tibetan Villages in Sichuan, home to beautiful Jiarong Tibetan houses, ancie......
Recommended Tours
1 Day Best Chengdu Tours of Sanxingdui and Giant Panda Garden
Explore Chengdu’s highlights in one day with a visit to the Giant Panda Base and Sanxingdui Museum. See adorable pandas and discover the mysterious 3,000-year-old Shu civilization with an expert loca......
1 Day Chengdu Harmoney Tours of Mt Qingchengshan and Dujiangyan Dam
Explore Mount Qingcheng and Dujiangyan near Chengdu, discovering Taoist culture, mountain scenery and a 2,000-year-old ancient irrigation system.......
2 Days Leshan Giant Buddha and Emei Mountain Tours
Classic two days tours to west Chengdu, where Leshan Giant Buddha and Mt Emeishan are both world class top tour destinations, and also visit a local old town. ......
3 Days Chengdu Emeishan and Leshan Giant Buddha Tour
Explore the best of Chengdu and Sichuan on this 3-day private tour. Visit Chengdu Panda Base, Kuanzhai Alley, Wangjianglou Bamboo Park, Leshan Giant Buddha, Luocheng Ancient Town, and Mount Emei with a......
3 Days Three Kingdoms Tour in North Chengdu
Explore Sichuan’s ancient history and culture on a 3-day private tour from Chengdu. Visit the Giant Panda Base, Sanxingdui Museum, Jianmen Pass, Zhaohua Ancient Town, and Langzhong Ancient Town to di......
