1 Day Dujiangyan & Mount Qingcheng, No Shopping

Around 8:00 AM, your private guide and driver will pick you up at your self-booked hotel in downtown Chengdu, and directly escort you to Dujiangyan Irrigation System, about 1.5 hours’ drive away by private car.

About thousand years ago, numerous water conservancy projects bloomed everywhere around the world. However, most of them, whether the Rome Greatest Drain constructed in the 6th century BCE or the Nar-Hammurabi Canal of Old Babylonian Empire (1792-1750 BC), have crumbled into ruins over time. Only Dujiangyan has continued to function for more than 2,000 years since its construction in 256 BC. Your guide will accompany you wander along the riverbank, revealing the mysteries behind this engineering marvel. To find its comparable counterpart, the modern Tennessee Valley Authority project launched in 1933 AD in the United States may be the one. However, what makes Dujiangyan much more outstanding is that it regulates water flow by harnessing natural topography and hydrological forces in an ancient era without modern technology.

When stepping onto the rope bridge, you may notice a stone-piled embankment in the middle of the river, shaped like the head of a fish, hence its name of “Fish Mouth Levee”. It splits the swift current into two streams: the clear surface is diverted into the “Inner River” for irrigation, while the muddy undercurrent carrying silt is channeled into the “Outer River” for flood discharge. Continue to the downstream, you can see an opening carved through the mountain, resembling a narrow neck of a bottle. Function as a natural water valve, it precisely controls the inflow volume to protect the Chengdu Plain from flooding and ensure the region’s prosperity and peace.

If time allows, visit some historical landmarks on the riverbank, like Two Kings Temple or Dragon-Taming Temple, before continuing with our afternoon exploration.

★ Greenland Exploration in Mount Qingcheng (Round-trip Cable Car Included):

Leave the roaring of the river behind and your guide will escort you on another 30-minute drive to Mount Qingcheng. To help you visit the mountain effortlessly within limited time, this itinerary includes the scenic area’s shuttle bus and round-trip cable car. Upon our arrival at the parking lot, a short 10-minute shuttle ride will take you to the foot of Front Mountain. Then, walk with your guide for 20 minutes to the Yuecheng Lake, a perfect spot to take in the lush greenery. Overhead, the dense forest canopy forms a natural ceiling, while the upturned eaves of traditional Taoist temples pop their heads through the leaves, evoking a sense of Eastern mysticism. With such serene and mysterious atmosphere, the mountain inspired the panda village in the movie “Kung Fu Panda 3”. As you walk along the plank, the image of Panda Po and his friends playing may come to mind. We’ll then take the cable car to the summit. As the cabin rises above the treetops, you’ll gain a bird’s eye view of an emerald sea of the forest. At the summit, make a pilgrimage to the Laojun Pavilion, one of China’s most important Taoist temples. It is said that prayers for academic and career success are especially efficacious here. Just feel free to make a wish if you’re interested.

At the end of the day, we’ll descend by cable car, and retrace our steps to the parking lot, where your guide and driver will offer you a comfortable transfer back to your hotel in Chengdu. Hope you had a great time with us! 

► For Your Information:
If you still stay in Chengdu tonight, the Fuqin Night Market is absolutely a paradise to try local specialties. Sizzling stalls offer bite-sized treats like mini fluffy pancakes, Iced Jelly Desserts, and grilled skewers. For bolder palates, don’t miss the spicy Mapo Tofu and hot-and-sour rice noodles. For an average cost of USD 3-7, you can easily eat to your heart’s content.