Dujiangyan Travel Guide – Witness Three World Heritages in One Trip
Dujiangyan in Sichuan Province of China is a city famous for its “Three World Heritages,” the World Cultural Heritage Mount Qingcheng, World Heritage Irrigation Structure Dujiangyan Irrigation System, and the World Natural Heritage Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries.
Located about 59 km (37 miles) west, these marvelous attractions together with many other fun things to do make Dujiangyan a popular destination for day tours from Chengdu. This Dujiangyan travel guide will prepare you for the best trip to Sichuan.
Chinese: 都江堰
Pronunciation: dū jiāng yàn
Location: Northwest of Chengdu Plain in central Sichuan
Population (urban area): 710,056
Why Travel to Dujiangyan?
- Historical and Cultural Wonders:Dujiangyan is most famous for the ancient Dujiangyan irrigation system. It is a testament to the wisdom of the people. And Mount Qingcheng, another significant cultural site, is considered a birthplace of Taoism in China.
- Panda Sanctuaries:Travel to Dujiangyan to see the rare and adorable giant pandas at Dujiangyan Panda Base and Panda Valley. You can learn about them and even participate by volunteering.
- Natural Beauty: Dujiangyan is a good place to get away from the busy city life. Mount Qingcheng is known for its serene atmosphere with greenery and mountain springs. It is perfect for hiking or spending a weekend with family or friends.
- Local Cuisine: The cuisine of Dujiangyan is pretty characteristic of Sichuan cuisine, but you’ll find some local specialties. If you love Sichuan food or spices, Dujiangyan is definitely the place for you.
Top Attractions in Dujiangyan
Top Things to Do in Dujiangyan
Hongkou Drifting
Hongkou Drifting site has the reputation of being “the Best Drifting Site of Western China.” The waterway is 10 km (6.2 miles) long in total, and the whole journey takes about 50 minutes on the raft with drops throughout the course. It is a great outdoor activity to add to your Dujiangyan or Chengdu tour.
Walk down Guanxian Ancient Town
Guanxian Ancient Town is a commercial area built in traditional architectural style. Stroll along the nostalgic West Street that run between old tile-roofed houses. There are small arts and craft stores to explore. The South Street is the main commercial street with tea houses by the river and street food stalls.
Visit Zhongshuge Bookstore
Known as the “Most Beautiful Bookstore in China,” Zhongshuge Bookstore is a good stop to make when you travel to Dujiangyan. Its unique interior design using mirrors and staircases creates a stunning visual effect.
Taste Dujiangyan Foods
The local cuisine of Dujiangyan is largely in line with Sichuan culinary tradition with a lot of spices to enhance flavors and smell. But you’ll find some specialty dishes in the street stalls and locally owned restaurants. Make sure you try Wang Fei Chang, Jiaoma Fish, Bing Fen, and Luo Chicken.
Dujiangyan Weather & Best Time to Visit
The climate in Dujiangyan is pretty mild and humid in general throughout the year. January the coldest month with an average temperature of 5.5°C (41.9°F), and July is the hottest averaging at 25.6°C (78.1°F).
You can pretty much visit Dujiangyan city any time of the year and enjoy your trip, but spring and autumn are usually the most recommended seasons. A lot of people visit in the summer, especially Mount Qingcheng, to get away from the heat of Chengdu. But keep in mind that summer is the rainy season, and the mountain paths can get slippery and dangerous.
How to Get to & around Dujiangyan
How to Get to Dujiangyan
By air
Being near Chengdu, Dujiangyan is easy to reach by air. The most popular choice is Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, about 57 km (35 miles) from Dujiangyan. There are domestic and international flights connecting major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Tokyo. From the airport, you can reach Dujiangyan by taxi, shuttle bus, or high-speed train.
By train
You can get from Chengdu to Dujiangyan easily by train. There are frequent bullet trains to Dujiangyan Railway Station or Mount Qingcheng Railway Station, and they only take around 30 minutes. From there, take a bus or taxi to your destination.
By long-distance buses
There are also long-distance buses from Chengdu North City Bus Station and Airport Bus Station. These rides are about an hour long and cost CNY 20-30.
How to Get around Dujiangyan
There are buses and taxis that can easily transport you from one place to another. Though to reach Mount Qingcheng, the fastest way is to take the bullet train to Mount Qingcheng Railway Station.
Accommodations & Hotels in Dujiangyan
It is a good idea to spend a night or two in Dujiangyan to take your time in this lovely city. There are many great options for accommodations. High-end hotels include XHYEE Uvilla Resort Culture and Minjiang Xinhao Hotel. There are also budget-friendly inns and homestays.
The most popular places of stay are in Mount Qingcheng, where there are also a range of options, including Qingchengshan Six Sense Hotel, Howard Johnson Conference Resort Chengdu, and Xuanyuan Inn.
