If you want to experience both nature and culture, Dujiangyan is the place to be. Its famous water system, Dujiangyan Irrigation System, has been in use for over 2,000 years and is still functional today. By day, the waters shimmer like jade, and by night, the area transforms into a spectacle of “blue tears” lighting up the night. This is the kind of place where you can relax, take in the beauty of the landscape, and experience a romantic atmosphere. Here’s the perfect one-day itinerary for your visit.
Transportation: Getting to Dujiangyan from Chengdu
- Departure Time: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Recommended Train: Take the high-speed train from Chengdu’s Xi Pu Metro Line 2 station (犀浦站), heading towards the Li Dui Park station (离堆公园站). Alternatively, you can take the train to the Dujiangyan station (都江堰站), but note that it’s farther from the scenic area.
- Return Trip: Take the 8:27 PM train from Dujiangyan back to Chengdu.
Itinerary: One-Day Exploration of Dujiangyan
1. Yangtianwo Square (仰天窝广场)
- Entry Fee: Free
- Time to Explore: 30 minutes
- Upon arriving at Li Dui Park Station, you will immediately come across Yangtianwo Square. Here, you’ll find a large sculpture of a giant panda perfect for selfies. After snapping a few pictures, head towards Panda Valley (熊猫谷), which is just a 15-minute taxi ride away.
2. Panda Valley (熊猫谷)
- Entry Fee: ¥55
- Time to Explore: 2-3 hours
- Panda Valley is a quieter alternative to the more crowded Panda Base in Chengdu. It is smaller but offers a more intimate experience with the pandas. The environment is serene, and you can get really close to both the adult and baby pandas. If you’re a panda lover, make sure to arrive early—before 9 AM is recommended for the best experience. You can buy tickets either online via the official Panda Valley WeChat account or on-site.
3. Guancheng Ancient Town (灌县古城)
- Entry Fee: Free
- Time to Explore: 1 hour
- After spending time at Panda Valley, head to Guancheng Ancient Town (灌县古城). The town is filled with narrow cobbled streets, old stone buildings, and remnants of the Ming Dynasty city walls. It’s a charming place to stroll and soak in the history of the area. Key places to visit in the town include:
- South Bridge (南桥): A must-visit landmark in Dujiangyan!
- West Street (西街): A beautiful street built along the mountain slopes, reminiscent of Lijiang (丽江).
- Confucian Temple Street (文庙街): A retro street filled with 80s-style graffiti and quirky shops.
- Wenmiao Mountain Street (文庙山街): A trendy, artsy street full of cafes, bars, and guesthouses. Though it’s more of a quiet street, it has a relaxed, bohemian vibe.
- Enjoy some local snacks like Yeerpa (叶儿耙) and Tian Shui Mian (甜水面) in the ancient town.
4. Dujiangyan Scenic Area (都江堰景区)
- Entry Fee: ¥80
- Time to Explore: 3-4 hours
- The Dujiangyan scenic area is large, and walking through the entire site can be tiring. Here’s a recommended route to make the most of your time:
- Enter the scenic area through Li Dui Park Entrance (离堆公园入口).
- Visit Yan Gong Dao (堰功道) to learn about the ancient irrigation system.
- Visit Fulong Mountain (伏龙山) to view the Baopingkou (宝瓶口), the key element of the Dujiangyan water system.
- Next, head to Feisha Weir (飞沙堰), where you can catch a glimpse of how the water flows through the system.
- Take a sightseeing bus (¥10) to reach Yuzui (鱼嘴), where the water is diverted into different channels.
- Walk across Anlan Suspension Bridge (安澜索桥) and visit the Erwang Temple (二王庙), dedicated to the two kings who helped design the irrigation system.
- Finally, stroll along West Street (西街) within the scenic area, which is a picturesque spot for photos.
- After your tour, head back to the Guancheng Ancient Town (灌县古城) for dinner.
5. Blue Tears Viewing (蓝眼泪)
- Entry Fee: Free
- Time to Explore: 1 hour
- Dujiangyan is famous for the phenomenon known as “Blue Tears” (projecting light onto the clear water), which occurs at two locations: South Bridge (南桥) and Langqiao Bridge (廊桥). These two spots are very close to each other, but Langqiao Bridge is known for offering the best views and photography opportunities. At 7:00 PM, the lights are turned on, and the water glows a deep blue, creating an enchanting, almost magical atmosphere.