Dujiangyan Travel Guide: You'll Cry if You Miss These Hidden Gems!

When the snowmelt from the Min River overflows the Fish Mouth Levee, and when the clouds of Mount Qingcheng shroud the eaves of Tianshi Cave, this water conservancy pearl, blessed by Li Bing and his son for 2,300 years, invites you on a journey through time and wisdom with the timeless verse "Visit Dujiangyan to appreciate its water, and ask Mount Qingcheng about Taoism." From world cultural heritage sites to ecological havens, every corner of Dujiangyan holds amazing Eastern wisdom. 🚄【Transportation Guide】 ▪️High-speed rail direct: Chengdu Xipu Station → Qingcheng Mountain Station (30 min), Chengdu East Station → Dujiangyan Station (30 min) ▪️Classic route: Chengdu → Dujiangyan Scenic Area (1 hr) → Mount Qingcheng (30 min) → Panda Valley (15 min) ▪️Preferred air travel: Chengdu Shuangliu/Tianfu Airport → Subway Line 2 → Xipu Station for high-speed rail transfer 🏯【Accommodation Recommendations】 ▫️Dujiangyan Nanqiao Inn: River view rooms with a view of the ancient bridge, enjoy the "floating boat on the water" light show at night ▫️Qingcheng Mountain Yuanming Palace Homestay: A Zen courtyard transformed from a Taoist temple, fall asleep to the sound of morning bells and evening drums ▫️Panda Valley Family Hotel: "Yangtianwo Panda Village" themed rooms, face the pandas through the window 🍜【Min River Culinary Secrets】 🍢Must-try delicacies: - Qingcheng Mountain Smoked Pork (with garlic sprouts): Unique aroma smoked with cypress branches, rich but not greasy - Zhong Duck (red oil version): A century-old brand of marinated food, firm and flavorful - Nanqiao Rice Cake (brown sugar syrup): Tender rice cake with refreshing brown sugar water, a summer heat relief artifact 🌿Featured experiences: - Liujie Town Stone-Ground Tofu Pudding (slow-cooked with firewood) - Zipingpu Reservoir Casserole Fish (freshly caught and made) - Guanxian Ancient City Granny Ye's Bobo Chicken (rattan pepper flavor is a must) ✨【Three Wonders of Wisdom】 1. **Dujiangyan Irrigation System** The oldest existing water diversion project without a dam in the world. Recommended sites include the Fish Mouth Levee (aerial view of the "Tai Chi Diagram of the Min River"), the Flying Sand Weir, and the Bottle-Neck Channel. Witness the ancient method of cutoff ceremony during the Qingming Water Releasing Festival (April 5). 2. **Mount Qingcheng Taoist Holy Land** One of the four famous Taoist mountains in China, the "Three Wonders" of Tianshi Cave (Tang Xuanzong Stele/Tang Dynasty Ginkgo/Ming Dynasty Wood Carving), Lao Jun Pavilion overlooking the sea of clouds, recommended hiking "Nine Turns" to experience the "Road to Taoism" 3. **Panda Valley Wild Release Area** The world's largest captive giant panda rewilding training base, where you can watch panda climbing training (active period from 9:00-11:00 am) and participate in the "Panda Poop Scooper" volunteer activity 📜【In-depth Cultural Experience List】 ▫️Learn bamboo weaving skills: Use Cizhu bamboo to weave panda bookmarks at the Qingshen Bamboo Weaving Museum ▫️Night tour of Guanxian Ancient City: Climb Yulei Pavilion for a panoramic view and participate in the "Li Bing Water Management" light show ▫️Experience Zen tea: Learn tea art from Taoist priests at Qingcheng Mountain Yuanming Palace and taste "Qingcheng Snow Bud" tea ▫️Hike Zhaogong Mountain: Taoist God of Wealth Mountain, climb to the top for a panoramic view of Dujiangyan and encounter wild monkeys 📸【Photography Tips】 ▫️Golden Hour: Morning 6:30-7:30 am (Qingcheng Mountain Sea of Clouds) / Dusk 6:00-7:00 pm (Dujiangyan Sunset) ▫️Classic spots: - Aerial shot of the Fish Mouth Levee "Eye of the Min River" - Qingcheng Mountain Yuecheng Lake bamboo raft reflection - Panda Valley panda climbing close-up - Nanqiao night lantern corridor 💡【Travel Tips】 ▪️Best seasons: Spring and autumn (azaleas in March-May/red leaves in September-November) ▪️Clothing recommendations: Non-slip shoes + quick-drying clothes (many steps), prepare mosquito repellent in summer ▪️Nearby attractions: Wenchuan Yingxiu Earthquake Site (40 km) / Chengdu Giant Panda Base (50 km) ▪️Cultural taboos: Do not step on the threshold when entering Taoist temples, do not use flash when taking pictures 🎭【Itinerary】 DAY1: Morning: Dujiangyan Scenic Area → Anlan Suspension Bridge Noon: Try Zhong Duck near Nanqiao Afternoon: Mount Qingcheng → Tianshi Cave → Yuecheng Lake Evening: Night tour of Guanxian Ancient City → Dinner at Nanqiao DAY2: Morning: Panda Valley → Rewilding Training Area Noon: Liujie Town Stone-Ground Tofu Pudding Afternoon: Return trip or extend to Chengdu 🌌This city of wisdom, "born of water and inspired by mountains," every ripple tells a legend of water management, and every bamboo leaf whispers Taoist philosophy. When you stand on the Fish Mouth Levee and feel the pulse of the Min River, and listen to the harmony of pine waves and chimes on Mount Qingcheng, you may understand that true travel is about letting ancient wisdom shine into modern life. This autumn, let us take the high-speed train to a millennial rendezvous with Dujiangyan! 🚄💫