Dujiangyan Overview
Basic Information
- Chinese Name: Dujiangyan
- Location: Northwest of Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Area: 1208 square kilometers
- Population: 0.68 million, Han Chinese is the vast majority nationality group
- Language: Mandarin, Sichuan Dialect
Administrative Division
Dujiangyan, the county-level city of Chengdu, has 5 neighbourhoods, 13 towns, 1 township, 1 provincial economic and technological development zone. See Dujiangyan Administrative Division.
Geography
Located at the northwestern edge of the Sichuan Basin, Dujiangyan city center is 48km from Chengdu. Its east longitude is in the scope of 103°25′42″- 103°47′and north latitude in 30°44′54″ - 31°22′9″. It covers an area of 1208 square kilometers, embracing 54 kilometers’ length from west to east and 68 kilometers’width from north to south. It is high in the northwest and low in the southeast, with linearly distribution of high mountains, middle mountains, low mountains, hills and plains. It is 592-4582 meters above sea level.
Climate
Dujiangyan has a subtropical humid monsoon climate with four distinct seasons. The average temperature of the coldest month of the year is 4.6℃, while the hottest month is 24.4℃. The precipitation rainfall is abundant with annual average rainfall 1243.8 millimeters.
The longest rainy day lasts 20 days. There are 120 sunny days and 95 cloudy days of the year. Annual average sunshine is 1,016.9 hours, and the annual average thunderstorm days are 28 days. Annual average frost-free period is 280 days.
See Dujiangyan Climate.
The Best Time to Visit
April to October is the best time to visit Dujiangyan city, especially June and July. During this period of time,it is the most favorite summer resort in Chegndu to enjoy a cool day. Besides, countless tourists come for beer festival in summer night, which is full of lively atmosphere and joy.
It is worth mentioning that, on the day of the Qingming Festival, a grandest festival Dujiangyan Water Releasing Festival will be held and you can learn more about the local culture and custom here.
Things to Do
- Dujiangyan Irrigation System
Built around 256 BC, the famous ancient Dujiangyan Irrigation System is located at the west of Dujiangyan city, which was listed as UNESCO world Heritage Site in 2000. Sitting on the Min River, it is the oldest and only surviving no-dam irrigation system in the world that is still in use. Dujiangyan Irrigation System has played an important role in flood control and agricultural irrigation to Chengdu Plain, which is the reason why Chengdu became the “Land of Abundance”. The main attractions in Dujiangyan Irrigation System scenic area are Yuzui, Feishayan, Baopingkou, Erwang Temple, Fulong Temple, Anlan Suspension Bridge, etc. - Mount Qingcheng
Mount Qingcheng was also declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with Dujiangyan Irrigation System in 2000. With a summit of 1600m, it is one of the four famous Taoist mountain in China and becomes host to a dozen of Taoist temples. Mount Qingcheng is divided into two parts,front mountain and back mountain. The front mountain is the main attraction of Mount Qingcheng with many historical and cultural relics, such as Jianfu Palace, Tianshi Cave, Shangqing Palace and Sanqing Palace, while the back mountain provides more beautiful and tranquil natural scenery. - Dujiangyan Panda Base
18 kilometers from the downtown of Dujiangyan city,the Panda Base was opened in 2011 to rescue and control disease of wild giant pandas.It is the only panda base where you can be a Panda Volunteer to have an intimate contact and hug the cute pandas. Also you can take a picture with little pandas here.
Learn more information about Dujiangyan attractions.
Transportation
Nowadays,Dujiangyan has become a more and more famous tourist attraction around Chengdu city with varies convenient transportation modes.
- By High Speed Train
The fastest way is to take High Speed Train to Dujiangyan or Mount Qingcheng. There are 21 bullet trains every day from Chengdu (North)Railway Station or Xipu Station to Dujiangyan Railway Station. - By Bus
Travelers can get a long-distance bus at Chadianzi Bus Station, which is the main tourism station to Dujiangyan Bus Station. Usually it takes about 1 hour to get to Dujiangyan Bus Station. - By Taxi
Besides above-mentioned ways, travelers can also take a taxi to Dujiangyan city, which is also very convenient.
More detailed information about Dujiangyan transportation.
History & Culture
In ancient times, Chengdu plain frequently suffered from floods and drought. Around 250 BC, Li Bing, a local official of the Shu state, employed a new method to separate the project into two main parts: the headwork and the irrigation system, which has worked for 2,000 years in preventing floods and providing irrigation for Chengdu plain. Therefore, Chengdu Plain is reputed as "The Land of Abundance". Dujiangyan city was formerly named Guanxian or Guan County and renamed after the Dujiangyan Irrigation System as a county-level city in 1988. See Dujiangyan History.
As we know, Dujiangyan city is famous for Dujiangyan Irrigation System and Mount Qingcheng. So it combines the water culture of Dujiangyan Irrigation System and the Taoism culture of Mount Qingcheng. Every year, there are lot of festivals and activities demonstrating the local culture and you can experience them with the local people.
Religion
There are five religions in Dujiangyan, including Taoism, Buddhism, Islam, Catholicism and Christianity, mainly concentrated in Mount Qingcheng-Dujiangyan scenic area, and Dujiangyan urban area. Taoism is a traditional native religion and Mount Qingcheng is one of its birthplaces in China. According to historical materials, the early Buddhist temple in Dujiangyan was Xiangji temple in Mount Qingcheng, which was built during the reign of the Western Wei. In the history of more than one thousand years, there have been a number of eminent monks in Dujiangyan region, famous at home and abroad, which has contributed greatly to the promotion and dissemination of Buddhism culture. Dujiangyan city is one of the scattered settlements of the Hui ethnic group, who introduced Islam to this region. Catholicism was introduced into China at the end of the Ming dynasty and introduced to Dujiangyan city after 2nd year of Kuang Hsu (AD 1876).
Economy
Dujiangyan city is one of the top 10 counties (cities) in terms of comprehensive economic power in Sichuan province. In recent years, Dujiangyan city has developed rapid and all-roundly. It is one of the key foreign trade cities approved by Sichuan Provincial Government with three industrial parks. With complete infrastructure facilities and industrial base, Dujiangyan city forms a new-type industrial chains featuring by electronics, machinery, bio-pharmaceutical, etc.
Festival
Rich in water culture and Taoism culture, there are some featured festivals and activities, including Dujiangyan Water-releasing Festival, Li Bing Culture International Tourism Festival, Taoism cultural festival, etc. Dujiangyan Summer Night Beer Festival is also a joyful experience for you, especially for beer fans and gourmet. More information about Dujiangyan festivals and activities.
Tourism
With a history of more than 2,000 years, Dujiangyan city boasts many natural and cultural resources, which is a major tourist destination around Chengdu city. The two UNESCO World Heritage Sites Dujiangyan Irrigation System and Mount Qingcheng attract enormous visitors at home and aboard. What’s more, many visitors also come here to assist in a program with Giant Pandas. This brilliant city was awarded with many famous titles, such as China's Top Tourist City, National Model Ecological Area, National Hygienic City, National Historic and Cultural City, The Most Glamorous City of China, etc.
Dining
Food in Dujiangyan city is characterized with Sichuan flavor but more featured than Chengdu dishes.Don’t miss the Four Superb Product of Qingcheng, namely Ginkgo Stewed Chicken,Taoist Pickled Vegetables, Dongtian Milk Punch and Qingcheng Tribute Tea. Qingcheng bacon and other local snacks also deserves sampling. More information about Dujiangyan Dining.
