Dujiangyan Irrigation System Tourism

The Dujiangyan Irrigation System, located on the Minjiang River near Chengdu in Sichuan province, China, is an ancient feat of engineering and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Constructed around 256 BC under the guidance of local governor Li Bing, this system was designed to control flooding and provide water for agriculture. It cleverly uses the natural terrain and waterways to create an infrastructure that has continuously functioned for over two millennia. Dujiangyan's key components include the Fish Mouth Water-Dividing Dam, which splits the river into an inner and outer stream to help distribute the flow of water, and the Flying Sand Spillway, which diverts sand and stones from the river. There's also the Bottle-Neck Channel, which controls the amount of water entering the irrigation system. This system has turned the Chengdu Plain into one of China's most fertile regions, contributing significantly to its wealth and prosperity. This innovative non-dam irrigation method has been recognized for its harmonious relationship with the environment and its sustainable benefits to the local community.