Dujiangyan Irrigation System

Welcome to Dujiangyan, a cultural and historical landmark that showcases the 'unbelievable ingenuity and brain smarts' of the ancient Chinese people. Over 2,000 years ago, during the Warring States period, a governor named Li…

We begin at the Yuzui, or 'Fish Mouth Levee,' so named for its conical head that resembles the mouth of a fish. This is the 'key part of the construction,' an artificial levee that stands at the very point where the Min River is…

Continuing downstream along the Inner Canal, we reach the Feishayan, or 'Flying Sand Weir.' This is a 200-meter-wide opening that joins the Inner and Outer canals. Its purpose is twofold: to discharge excess water during floods…

The final major component of the weir works is the Baopingkou, or 'Bottle-Neck Channel.' This narrow passage was 'gouged through the mountain' using an ingenious ancient method: heating the rock with fire and then drenching it…

To cross between the Inner and Outer rivers, we use the Anlan Suspension Bridge, often called the 'Couple's Bridge' or the 'Wobbly Bridge.' This 320-meter-long bridge is one of the five most famous ancient bridges in China.…

Rising up the slopes of Mount Yulei is the Erwang Temple, or 'Two Kings Temple.' This expansive complex was built to honor Li Bing and his legendary son, Erlang Shen. The temple has five unique features: it is backed by the…

Located in Lidui Park at the foot of the mountain is the Fulong Temple, or 'Dragon-Taming Temple.' This was the 'first scenic spot' in the Dujiangyan area, founded in the 3rd century. Legend has it that Li Bing's son, Erlang…

As we conclude our journey through the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, we are left with a profound sense of awe at the 'foresight and intelligence' of its creators. For over two millennia, this system has functioned without a…