Dujiangyan Irrigation System

Dujiangyan is located in Dujiangyan City, about 50 to 70 kilometers from central Chengdu. The drive usually takes around 1.5 hours.

Dujiangyan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the world’s oldest irrigation system that still exists, remains in use today, and operates without a dam. It is a large-scale water management project that has continued to function for more than two thousand years.

It is not just a tourist attraction but a living engineering site that continues to benefit local communities. Dujiangyan is often described as a “living museum” of water engineering and a strong symbol of the ingenuity of Chinese civilization. In addition to its World Heritage status, it has also been recognized by UNESCO’s World Irrigation Forum as a “World Heritage Irrigation Structure” for its irreplaceable value in irrigation and water control.

History of Dujiangyan

Dujiangyan was built in the 3rd century BCE during China’s Warring States period. The project was led by Li Bing (李冰), the governor of Shu Prefecture (蜀郡), together with his son.

Before Dujiangyan was constructed, the Chengdu Plain (成都平原) suffered from frequent flooding. By making use of the natural terrain and water flow, the system diverted floodwaters while channeling a controlled amount of water into the city for irrigation. This not only reduced flooding but also ensured a stable water supply for farmland. As a result, the region was transformed from an area prone to famine into what later became known as the “Land of Abundance” (天府之国).

Dujiangyan is not only an outstanding water engineering project but also a scenic park with a pleasant natural setting.

Basic visiting route

Entrance to Fulong Temple (伏龙观)

Here you can see Baopingkou (宝瓶口), the water inlet that controls the flow of water into the Chengdu Plain.

To Feishayan (飞沙堰)

This section uses swirling water currents to discharge sediment.

To Yuzui Dividing Levee (鱼嘴分水堤)

At this point, water is split between agricultural irrigation and the outer river channel.

Extended visiting route

After completing the basic route, continue across Anlan Suspension Bridge (安澜索桥), then head up to Qinyan Tower (秦堰楼), where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Dujiangyan (都江堰) system. Finish the visit at Erwang Temple (二王庙), which is dedicated to Li Bing (李冰) and his son.