Dujiangyan Irrigation System

Dujiangyan Irrigation System is honored as the 'Treasure of Sichuan', which still plays a crucial role in draining off floodwater, irrigating farms and providing water resources for more than 50 cities in the province.

我n China, Chengdu is always praised as the Tian Fu Zhi Guo, which means 'Nature's Storehouse'. Over 2,200 years ago, the city was threatened by the frequent floods caused by flooding of the Minjiang River (a tributary of theYangtze River). Li Bing, a local official of Sichuan Province at that time, together with his son, decided to construct an irrigation system on the Minjiang River to prevent flooding. After a lengthy study and a lot of hard work by the local people, the great Dujiangyan Irrigation System was completed. Since then, the Chengdu Plain has been free of flooding and the people have been living peacefully and affluently.

Map of Dujiangyan Irrigation Project
Map of Dujiangyan Scenic Area ()
图片
Dujiangyan, Chengdu

Dujiangyan is the oldest and only surviving no-dam irrigation system in the world; and a wonder in the development of Chinese science. The project consists of three important parts, namely Yuzui, Feishayan and Baopingkou scientifically designed to automatically control the water flow of the rivers from the mountains to the plains throughout the year.

Yuzui, like a big fish lying in the Minjiang River, is a watershed dividing the river into two parts: inner river and outside river. Feisha Yan is a spillway that diverts the sand and stones of the inner river into the outer river. Baoping Kou, like a neck of a bottle, is used to bring water into the inner river from Minjiang. At the same time, Baoping Kou controls the amount of the intake water due to its reasonable location. These three parts interact with each other perfectly to form an effective water conservancy project. During the low-water season, 60% of the Minjiang water is brought into the inner river for irrigation while 40% of the water is drawn into the outside river. The situation is reversed in the flood season ensuring the water supply for irrigation and protection from flooding on the Chengdu Plain.

福寺, Dujiangyan
福寺
Baopingkou
Bottle-Neck Channel (Baopingkou)

There is a magnificent bridge called the Anlan Cable Bridge crossing the Minjiang River above Yuzui, which is the most scenic place of the whole project. The construction of the bridge originally commenced before theSong Dynasty(960-1279). At that time, the body of the bridge was constructed with wooden blocks and the handrails were made of bamboo. Recently the wood and bamboo were replaced with steel and reinforced concrete to ensure the security of the visitors. Seen from afar, the bridge looks like a rainbow hanging over the river. From the bridge, you can clearly see the entire layout of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System.

Fish Mouth Levee
Fish Mouth Levee (Yuzui)
Anlan Suspension Bridge
Anlan Suspension Bridge
There are also historical sites here. Fulong Temple is said to be the place where Li Bing subjugated the evil dragon during the construction process. The stone statue of Li Bing caved in theEastern Han Dynasty(25-220) is displayed in the front courtyard of the temple; is the earliest round sculptured stone statue in China. In the back courtyard of the temple, you can see the working principles of Dujiangyan Irrigation System replicated in an electric model of the irrigation system.

Erwang Temple is located on the mountain by the right side bank of the Minjiang River. It was built to commemorate Li Bing and his son by the ancient people. The temple retains the architectural style of theQing Dynasty(1644-1911) and the whole environment here is quite serene and beautiful. Many Chinese characters depicting experiences of water control are engraved on the stone walls of the temple. In the Grand Hall, you can see the vivid statues of Li and his son, who are worshiped by the local people every day. Incense has never ceased to burn in the temple. For over twenty two hundred years, the people have held memorial ceremonies for Li and his son. Today the main activities are the Temple Fair held from June 24th to June 26th in Chinese lunar calendar and the Releasing Water Festival on Tomb Sweeping Day.
Erwang Temple
Erwang Temple
Statue of Li Bing in Erwang Temple
Statue of Li Bing in Erwang Temple

How to get to Dujiangyan Irrigation System

1. Get toChengdu Railway Stationfirst and take the bullet trains to Dujiangyan City, only half an hour or so. Then tourists can take bus 4, 6, 9, 19, or 31 to the Dujiangyan Scenic Area directly.
Chengdu - Dujiangyan Train
2. Take a bus from East Railway Station Bus Station,Xinnanmen Bus Station, or Chadianzi Bus Station directly to Dujiangyan Scenic Area.
Chengdu Bus / Metro Search

Entrance Fee Entrance ticket: CNY 80
Sight-seeing bus: CNY 15 (round-trip) and CNY 10 (single trip)
Opening Hours March 2 to November 30: 08:00 - 18:00
December 1 to next March 1: 08:00 - 17:30
Recommended
Time for a Visit
One and a half hours

- Last updated on Sep. 20, 2022 -
Questions & Answers on Dujiangyan Irrigation System
Asked byTatsaneefrom THAILAND | Mar. 17, 2019 01:34回复
我s Leshan Giant Buddha open on April 12-13, 2019 ? How to get there ?
we plan to visit Leshan Giant Buddha on April 12-13, 2019.
we will depart from Chengdu. Is it open? How to get there ? by bus or speed train. Please give information about the schedule time.
thank you
Answers (3)
Answered byArienfrom GERMANY | Mar. 20, 2019 23:54
0 0 回复


As I know, the scenic area still opens nowadays. However, because of the maintenance, tourists can only see the head of Big Buddha.
About the transportation, you can take a high speed train to Leshan Railway Station. Then transfer to bus no.3 to reach the scenic area.
Answered byTatsaneefrom THAILAND | Mar. 21, 2019 22:19
0 0 回复


Thank you so much
Answered byJodifrom CHINA | Apr. 02, 2019 04:05
0 0 回复


Our family just visited Leshan Buddha (31 March 2019) and all construction material has been removed and you can see entire body. Some of the climbing walkways are still blocked, but view of Buddha is clear and breathtaking! Enjoy
Asked byPungfrom THAILAND | Feb. 20, 2019 08:25回复
我s Dujiangyan Irrigation System closed on Mar2-Mar24,2019?
我try to search ticket to go there by train but I cannot find ticket on Mar2-Mar24.
So,I think that this place will close or not. Or what happen about schedule for booking of train on Mar2-Mar24?
Answers (1)
Answered by阿什利from UNITED KINGDOM | Feb. 27, 2019 22:20
0 0 回复


This scenic area will open during that period of time. Don't worry. Besides, where do you come from? Then I can check the train schedule for you.
Asked byMfrom USA | Dec. 03, 2018 10:59回复
我saw that there is a bus from Chengdu airport to Dujiangyan Scenic Area
Do you know what time this bus is running?

Thank you very much.
M
Answers (4)
Answered byBeatricefrom USA | Dec. 03, 2018 23:11
0 0 回复


The bus schedule is 09:40, 10:40, 11:30, 12:40, 13:30, 14:30, 15:40, 17:30, 19:20 and 20:30. The ticket fare is CNY27 per person.
Answered byMfrom USA | Dec. 04, 2018 06:57
0 0 回复


Thanks a lot for the info Beatrice.
Are these bus fo to Dujiangyan bus station or to Dujiangyan Scenic Area? Or they all make a stop at both the bus station and the scenic area?
Do you happen to know the schedule for return trip?

Thank you so very much.
Answered byBeatrice|Dec. 04, 2018 18:00
0 0 回复


Dear, some buses will pass the scenic area. When you buy the ticket, you should ask the driver whether the bus would stop at the scenic area. On your return trip, you should take the bus before 19:00 at the Dujiangyan Bus Station.
Answered byMfrom USA | Dec. 05, 2018 16:52
0 0 回复


Thank you so much Beatrice.
Asked bySunfrom VIETNAM | Nov. 08, 2018 18:34回复
Are the buses that run from Dujiangyan to Huanglong Ancient Town
我女ant to go to Huanglong Ancient Town from Dujiangyan and come back to Chengdu in one day. Please give information about the schedule time.
Answers (1)
Answered byZeldafrom USA | Nov. 08, 2018 22:43
0 0 回复


You need to go back to Chengdu to take the bus.

You can first take the bus at Dujiangyan Bus Center to Chadianzi Bus Station and the buses are available before 19:00 every day and the interval is about 5 - 10 minutes. Then take the bus at Chadianzi Bus Station to Huanglongxi Ancient Town; the buses are available before 18:10.

From Huanglongxi Ancient Town to Chengdu, you can take the bus at the ancient town to Chadianzi Bus Station. The buses are running from 06:50 to 18:00 every day.
Asked bychaudharyfrom INDIA | Sep. 28, 2018 05:02回复
我am staying at Hotel Rongjou at Chengdu. is it possible to go to Giant Buddha and come back by 3PM
Answers (1)
Answered bySheafrom USA | Sep. 28, 2018 20:54
0 0 回复


Dear, I'm afraid you cannot come back by 3pm because you have to spend about over 5 hours on the bus ride and the recommended time to visit Giant Buddha is about 4 hours.
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