One day Qingcheng Mountain tour with Dujiangyan Irrigation Dam, discovering Taoist culture, mountain scenery and a 2,000-year-old ancient irrigation system.......
Dujiangyan Irrigation System Dam
Dujiangyan Irrigation System Dam (都江堰), located near Chengdu in Sichuan Province, is home to one of China's most extraordinary ancient engineering achievements. Built around 256 BC under the direction of Li Bing and his son, the Dujiangyan Irrigation System has controlled the waters of the Min River for more than two thousand years, helping prevent floods and irrigate the fertile Chengdu Plain.
Unlike conventional dams, Dujiangyan uses a sophisticated system of channels, levees, and water-diversion structures to regulate river flow without blocking the river completely. Its innovative design demonstrates the ingenuity of ancient Chinese engineers and continues to play an important role in regional agriculture today.
Visitors can explore key structures such as the Fish Mouth Levee, Flying Sand Weir, and Bottle-Neck Channel to understand how the system distributes water and manages sediment. The surrounding area also features historic temples, scenic river views, and traditional architecture, creating an appealing combination of history, culture, and nature.
Recognized as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dujiangyan is an excellent destination for travelers interested in Chinese history, ancient technology, and cultural heritage. It can easily be combined with a visit to nearby Mount Qingcheng, one of China's most important centers of Taoism, for a rewarding day trip from Chengdu.
Detailed introduction of Dujiangyan Dam:
The Dujiangyan Irrigation System Dam 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 Dam 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
-
Discover the Leshan Giant Buddha in Sichuan, China. Explore the worlds largest stone Buddha...... -
Discover Daocheng Yading, a spectacular nature reserve featuring sacred snow-capped mountai...... -
Discover Jiayang Steam Train in Leshan Sichuan, one of the world’s last operating narrow-...... -
Visit Diechuan Malt Whisky Distillery near Mount Emei, Sichuan. Discover premium Chinese si......
Recommended Tours
1 Day Giant Panda Garden and Sanxingdui Museum Tour
Explore the Giant Panda Base and Sanxingdui Museum in one day tour, and see adorable pandas and discover the mysterious 3,000-year-old Shu civilization with an expert local guide.......
1 Day Chengdu Giant Panda and Leshan Buddha Tour
One day Chengdu tour with Giant Panda Base and Leshan Giant Buddha, and enjoy a traditional Xiba tofu banquet and discover Sichuan’s famous creature and Buddhist heritage.......
Mt. Wudangshan Off-beaten Track Tour in Hubei
It is overland tour to Mt. Wudangshan in Hubei province from Xian. Hubei province is located in mid China connecting many provinces in China by convenient transportation of railway, cruise, and flights......
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......
