Dujiangyan Travel Guide and Tours

Dujiangyan Irrigation System is a world heritage and one of the top attractions in near Chengdu city. The 2300-year-old water project work is a representative of ancient Chinese wisdom and the source of a Land of Abundance of Chengdu.

Though Chengdu is praised as the ‘Land of Abundance’, over 2,200 years ago, the city was threatened by the frequent floods caused by the flooding of the Minjiang River, a tributary of the Yangtze River. At that time, the local official of the Shu state, Li Bing, together with his son, decided to construct an irrigation system on the River t prevent flooding. After a lengthy study and years’ hard work by the local people, the great Dujiangyan Irrigation Project was completed. Nowadays, the project still plays a crucial role in draining off floodwater, irrigating farms and providing water resources for more than 50 cities in Sichuan province.

Recommended Length of Visit:

– 0.5 ~ 1 day

Things to Do in Dujiangyan

Dujangyan Irrigation System

Dujangyan Irrigation System protect Chengdu city from flooding Minjiang River. During the low-water season, about 60% of water of the Minjiang River is brought into the inner river for irrigation, while 40% of the water drawn into the outside river. The whole project consists of three parts, namely Yuzui, Feishayan and Baopingkou, which interact with each other perfectly to form an effective water conservancy project. Yuzui, literally means the mouth of a fish in Chinese, is a watershed dividing the river into the parts: inner river and outside river. It is like a big fish lying in the Minjiang River. Feishayan, the second part of the project, is a spillway that diverts the sand and stones of the inner river in to the outer river. Baopingkou, literally means a neck of a bottle, is used to bring water into the inner river from Minjiang.

The opening hours of the Dujiangyan:
07:30 – 18:30

Ticket Fees:

– Entrance Fee – 80 RMB
– Optional In-park Golf Car – 20RMB

Dujiangyan Panda Base

The newly-built Panda Base in Dujiangyan was opened in 2011. It is the research center to rescue and disease control of wild giant pandas. Visitors can experience a one-to-two days volunteer program to get close to cute pandas, working with Chinese staff there to take care of the pandas. Or pay for taking a picture with little panda. Only 20 visitors are allowed to take a picture with the panda a day. More about Dujiangyan Panda Base

Business Hour:8:00 – 17:00

Ticket Fees:: RMB55

Location: Shiqiao Village, Qingchengshan County, Dujiangyan Prefecture.(about 50 km northeast of central Chengdu)

Dujiangyan Water-Releasing Festival

It was originated from about 978 years’ ago. During the traditional festival, local people drained water off the dam, offering sacrifices to the gods and ancestors on the banks every Qingming Festival in Dujiangyan. Nowadays, the official held the ceremony of the festival with many traditional activities so that people can have a better understanding about the history of Dujiangyan irrigation project. At the beginning of the festival, an ancient ritual is held, with an orator reading an ode to Li Bing and his son. Then a sacred dance with dress from the Warring States Period (475-221 BC) is performed. The whole sacrificial ritual shows the admiration, praise, and esteem of local people towards their forefathers.

The festival is held by every Qingming Festival. The highlight of the Draining Water festival is the Water Releasing Ceremony. A bamboo pole dance is the beginning of the ceremony. After an official, with ancient costume, riding a horse, passes the message for the water releasing to begin, strong workers open the cofferdam to release the water

Dujiangyan (Guanxian) Old Town

Dujiangyan has an old part of the town that is next to the irrigation of the park of Dujiangyan itself. It is worth to walk through the small town with its rebuilt old style houses and city gates after the 2008 earthquake. Dujiangyan Old Town is a good add-on to do for half an hour or one hour, even if you are just visiting the irrigation park. Dujiangyan is also a very pleasant place to stay one night in while you are traveling in Chengdu. More about Dujiangyan Old Town

Business Hour:24h

Ticket Fees:: Free of Charge

Zhongshuge Bookstore

Zhongshuge is a bookstore with unique design of its mirror ceiling that reflects the lights, providing a very surreal space within the store. It was known as “the most beautiful bookstore of China”. More about Dujiangyan Zhongshuge Bookstore

Business Hour:10:00 – 21:00

Ticket Fees:: Free of Charge

Location: F2, No.1 Rongchuang, Zhizhen Road, Baoping Community, Yutang, Dujiangyan

What is the Weather Like in Dujiangyan

It is fine to visit Dujiangyan city all year round, but the best time is between March and June or from September to November. The temperature of hot summer can be reach to 35 degrees, while in winter the average temperature is approximately 5 degrees.