Dujiangyan Tour

Q1. Top things to do in Dujiangyan

As well as being a major city to the north of Chengdu in Sichuan Province, Dujiangyan is also famous for its ancient irrigation system, which has been in permanent use for more than 2,200 years. But that is not the only attraction for visitors to the area. It is also the location of the birthplace of Taoism, Mount Qingcheng. One of the most important sacred mountains in China, the mountain plays host to a number of Taoist temples, and was the place where the Yellow Emperor studied with Ning Fengzi.

Inside the area of outstanding natural beauty in which lies Qingcheng, sits the famous Dujiangyan Panda Base, one of four panda research and breeding centers in Sichuan. This beautiful and peaceful environment for the animals has led to it being a popular place for those that want to experience a closer interaction with the pandas.

Qingcheng is not the only location of famous temples, either. The famous Dujiangyan Confucius Temple is the largest of its kind in Sichuan Province, and is the only temple of the Living Confucius that includes both temple and academy. You can experience all Six Arts of Confucius here, including “Rites”, “Music”, “Archery”, “Charioteering”, “Calligraphy”, and “Mathematics”.

You can also stop off at the famous Jiezi Ancient Town, former home of the Chinese poet, Tang Qiu, who was known as the Ladle Poet. Located at the foot of the Fengxi Mountains, this beautiful town has a history of more than 1,000 years, with some of the original buildings still standing.

Q2. How to get to Dujiangyan Irrigation System from Chengdu?

There are two ways to get to Dujiangyan for a tour of this amazing ancient water system. By bus, is the cheapest method, which cost around 5-8 yuan per person. At only 39 kilometers from Chengdu, the buses that run from Chengdu West Gate Station every ten minutes take around 30 minutes to reach Dujiangyan.

You can also take the Chengdu to Dujiangyan train, which runs on the Chengguan Fast Rail system, and costs up to 15 yuan per person.

Q3. How long do I need to visit Dujiangyan Irrigation System?

For most people on a tour of Dujiangyan, you can cover almost all of the attractions in one day, so allowing half a day to experience the irrigation system would be more than enough. The oldest remaining water projects in the world, the system includes the Yuzui Dyke, the Feishayan Flood Project, the Baopingkou Diversion Project, the Erwang Temple, and the Fulong Temple. You also have Yulei Mountain, on the eastern side of Erwang Temple, and the Anlan Suspension Bridge, one of the top five bridges in ancient China.

Q4. Which one shall I choose, Dujiangyan Panda Base vs Chengdu Panda Base?

If you have to choose, it will be a hard choice to make. Each has its own benefits and pluses, and each is as good as the other when considering which to visit. The main difference is the style of center. Whereas in Chengdu, the center is more restricted and the habitats are smaller and designed more for the commercial enterprise f visitors, in Dujiangyan, the habitats are larger and all natural. And you do have the advantage of being able to take the Panda Volunteer Program in Dujiangyan, which Chengdu does not have.

Q5. How to get to Dujiangyan Panda Base from Chengdu?

The Dujiangyan Panda Center is around 65km northwest of Chengdu, and getting there is not hard at all. The easiest way if by car, and you can hire a private car and driver for the 90-minute trip to the panda center.

You can also take the High-Speed trains from Chengdu Railway Station, which drop off at the Qingchengshan Railway Station. From there, you need to take a No. 102 bus to Xiongmao Jikong Zhongxin, and from there take a five-minute walk to the entrance.

You can also take the bus from Chengdu North City Bus Station, the Airport Bus Station, or the Xinnanmen Bus Station, all of which have regular buses to the Dujiangyan Bus Station. From there, you also take the no. 102 bus and then walk the last stretch.

Q6. What to do at Dujiangyan Panda Base? How to hold pandas in Dujiangyan Panda Base?

As well as being one of the most natural panda habitats in China, since it is this area where the giant pandas originated, the Dujiangyan Panda Center has a lot of other things to see and do. You can stroll through the amazing grounds, and enjoy picnics on the grass or just enjoy watching the beautiful pandas. Alternatively, you can sign up for the Panda Volunteer Program, which allows you to become a panda keeper for the day. The program allows you to experience preparing their food and cleaning the internal habitats, as well as feeding these cuddly giants and learning more about them and the breeding programs.

The center also has a panda holding program, where you can spend some quality one-on-one time with the juvenile pandas. However, this has been suspended for the time being, due to transmission of illnesses to the pandas.

Q7. How to plan a Dujiangyan Qingchengshan Panda tour?

Planning the trip is not hard at all, as we have the ideal tour designed for just this eventuality. On the first day of this three-day Chengdu and Dujiangyan Panda Base volunteer tour, you will arrive in Chengdu and be met by your guide, who will take you to visit the Jinsha Site Museum, which holds the relics of the ancient Shu Kingdom, before taking you to your hotel for dinner and rest.

Day two takes you from Chengdu to Qingchengshan, where you will take the hike to Yuecheng Lake, which lies in the midst of the mountains. After taking the boat across the lake, you can visit some of the infamous Taoist temples that lie in this cradle of Taoism, the birthplace of an entire religion.

After lunch, you will travel to the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, the 2,200 year old system for providing water to the dry farmland that is still in full use today. You will get to experience the wonders of this unique irrigation project, and enjoy the beautiful landscapes around you.

On your third day, you will head for the famous Dujiangyan Panda Base, where you will get the chance to spend the day as a Panda Keeper Volunteer. You will get to experience feeding and caring for these beautiful creatures, as well as learning more about their rescue and the disease control methods that have allowed for the intense repopulation of the panda species.