Dujiangyan Irrigation System
5A 景区都江堰 · Dūjiāngyàn
The 2,200-year-old irrigation marvel still watering the Chengdu plain — engineering without a dam, paired with Daoist Mount Qingcheng.
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Built around 256 BCE, Dujiangyan is the world's oldest still-functioning irrigation system that works WITHOUT a dam. By splitting the flood-prone Min River with clever levees and channels, it tames floods and waters the 'Land of Abundance'. A UNESCO site since 2000, jointly with nearby Mount Qingcheng, a cradle of Daoism.
History
Engineered by the official Li Bing and his son under the Qin state, it ended the Min River's deadly floods and turned Sichuan into China's breadbasket — and it is still in use after more than 2,200 years, having even survived the 2008 earthquake.
Culture & religion
Daoism (Taoism) is China’s own native religion, centred on living in harmony with the Dao — “the Way” of nature. Its ideas shape yin-yang, tai chi and feng shui, and its temples often crown dramatic sacred mountains.
Dujiangyan is a monument to Chinese practical genius and to the deeply Daoist idea of working WITH nature rather than damming it. Paired with Mount Qingcheng, one of the birthplaces of Daoism, the site ties together engineering, good governance and Daoist philosophy in one landscape.
What to see
The Fish Mouth levee (鱼嘴)
The bow-shaped levee that splits the Min River into inner (irrigation) and outer (flood) streams.
Flying Sand Weir & Bottleneck (飞沙堰 / 宝瓶口)
The overflow weir and narrow intake that together regulate water and flush out silt — the clever heart of the design.
Anlan Suspension Bridge (安澜索桥)
A historic rope-and-plank bridge swaying over the rushing channels.
Mount Qingcheng (青城山)
Nearby — a misty, temple-dotted mountain that is one of the cradles of Daoism.
Visiting
Walk the waterworks and cross the Anlan suspension bridge; allow a half day. The Daoist Mount Qingcheng is a worthwhile half-day add-on nearby. Easy as a day trip from Chengdu.
- Tickets
- Dujiangyan around ¥80; Mount Qingcheng around ¥90 (approximate — confirm officially).
- Opening hours
- Roughly 08:00–18:00. Seasonal variation applies.
- Suggested route
- Fish Mouth levee → Flying Sand Weir → Bottleneck intake → Anlan suspension bridge → Erwang Temple. Add Mount Qingcheng for Daoism. Half to full day.
Suggested routes
1. Waterworks half-day
About 3–4 hours~4 kmFish Mouth → weir → bottleneck → Anlan Bridge → Erwang Temple. The engineering tour.
2. + Mount Qingcheng (Daoism)
About a full day+ mountainAdd the misty Daoist mountain nearby for temples and a forest climb.
Points of interest
- 1
Fish Mouth levee · 鱼嘴
Splits the Min River.
- 2
Anlan Suspension Bridge · 安澜索桥
Historic rope bridge.
- 3
Erwang Temple · 二王庙
Honours Li Bing & son.
- 4
Mount Qingcheng · 青城山
Daoist mountain nearby.
Getting there
Dujiangyan is ~30–40 minutes by high-speed rail from Chengdu — an easy day trip.