For a perfect one-day trip in Dujiangyan, combining the peaceful Panda Valley (熊猫谷) with the scenic wonders of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System (都江堰), here’s an easy-to-follow guide. Whether you’re a panda lover or a fan of ancient engineering marvels, this itinerary ensures you make the most of your day while avoiding crowds and long waits.
Panda Valley Itinerary
1. Ticket Booking
To make your visit smooth, buy your tickets in advance via WeChat. The morning slots are the most popular, so if you can’t get tickets for the morning session, you’ll have to join the afternoon crowd.
2. Transportation
Method 1 (Recommended): Take Chengdu Metro Line 2 or Line 6 to Xi Pu Station (犀浦站), then transfer to a high-speed train to Dujiangyan Station (都江堰站) or Li Dui Park Station (离堆公园站). From Dujiangyan Station, it’s a 20-minute taxi ride to Panda Valley. It’s easier and faster to go through Dujiangyan Station as it avoids heavy traffic near Li Dui Park Station, which is near the Dujiangyan Scenic Area. The transfer time from metro to high-speed train is around 10 minutes.
Method 2: There are direct buses from Chunxi Road (春熙路) to the scenic area, but they are less convenient compared to the metro-high-speed train combination.
3. Panda Valley Visit
Time Spent: Approximately 1.5 hours
Route: Start from the main entrance → Visit the Breeding Center → Villa No. 1 → Villa No. 2 → Villa No. 3 → Red Panda Enclosure → Return to the entrance.
Tip to Avoid Crowds: Book the morning session ticket in advance! Arrive by 10:30 AM to avoid long queues. While there may be a large crowd waiting for the afternoon session, the morning visitors (who get priority entry) can skip the line and enter directly. You’ll have the whole area almost to yourself, making for a peaceful experience.
Dujiangyan Scenic Area
1. Ticket Booking
Tickets for the Dujiangyan Scenic Area can be purchased anytime.
2. Transportation
Getting There (Outbound): From Panda Valley, take a taxi to Dujiangyan Scenic Area. The best route is to drive from the north side of the river, passing by the Zipingpu Reservoir, which offers magnificent views, especially during flood season. The south entrance near Yulei Mountain (玉垒山) is often congested.
Getting Back (Return): After visiting the Dujiangyan Scenic Area, exit from the South Bridge (南桥). It’s about a 15-minute walk to Li Dui Park Station (离堆公园站). From there, you can take a high-speed train back to Xi Pu Station (犀浦站), then transfer to the metro to return to the city center.
Nearby Attraction: Right next to Li Dui Park Station is Yang Tian Wo Square (仰天窝广场), home to the famous giant reclining panda sculpture, perfect for photos!
3. Dujiangyan Scenic Area Visit
Time Spent: Approximately 2 hours
Route: Start from Qin Yan Lou (秦堰楼) → Erwang Temple (二王庙) → Anlan Suspension Bridge (安澜索桥) → Yuzui (鱼嘴) → Jingang Di (金刚堤) → Feisha Weir (飞沙堰) → Little Suspension Bridge (小索桥) → Li Dui Park (离堆公园) → Yigong Road (堰功道) → Visitor Center (South Bridge Entrance).
Tip: Start at Qin Yan Lou, where you can overlook the entire Dujiangyan Irrigation System. From there, take a downhill route to avoid backtracking, making it the easiest and least tiring path. The only spot that may require a bit of waiting is the Anlan Suspension Bridge, where you may have to queue for around 30 minutes.