Dujiangyan Scenic Area「都江堰景区」

Review

Finally checked off the famous Dujiangyan in Sichuan.

Before coming I always knew Dujiangyan was famous, but after actually visiting, I think this is not simply a place to “see scenery,” but a cultural site that becomes more impressive the more you understand it.

This time we hired a guide for 150 yuan. I think it is necessary to listen to explanations at Dujiangyan; otherwise, walking through many places, you really are just looking at water and bridges, and it is hard to understand why it became a water conservancy project that has lasted for more than 2,000 years.

Another thing that surprised me: when buying tickets, I found there is actually a discount for Shanghai ID cards! Staff said because Shanghai provides counterpart support to Dujiangyan, so the three of us paid only 45 yuan in total, equal to 15 yuan per person; this price was really a pleasant surprise.

After entering the scenic area, there is a large area of gardens and bonsai on the periphery; only after continuing further inside do you gradually enter the core area of the Dujiangyan water conservancy project.

If I were simply scoring the “scenery” here, I could probably only give it 60 points.

Because if you come for the visual impact of snow mountains, lakes, and gorges like in western Sichuan, Dujiangyan may really feel quite ordinary.

But what is truly interesting is that after listening to the explanation, you gradually understand how the whole water conservancy project works—how it divides water, discharges sediment, releases floods, and uses terrain and water flow to keep the entire system operating over the long term. At that point, looking back, you will find that what is really worth seeing is not the “scenery” at all, but the wisdom of the ancients.

A water conservancy project built more than 2,000 years ago still functioning today is in itself astonishing enough.

So I think Dujiangyan is the typical case of “30% seeing, 70% listening.”

If you don’t hire a guide and don’t prepare in advance, you might finish the visit and think: “Is this all?”

But if you truly understand the design principles behind it, and then stand there watching the water of the Min River, your feeling will be completely different.

One more reminder: inside the scenic area there is a battery car shuttle; one-way is 15 yuan and round trip is 30 yuan, and it requires an additional fee.

After we came out, we originally wanted to visit Nanqiao (South Bridge), but there were too many people that day, so we did not squeeze over there and just took a photo from a distance as a memento. After the tour, the guide also recommended we try farmhouse food, but we didn’t go; we preferred finding a restaurant we wanted on our own, which felt more comfortable.

Final summary:

👉 If you are coming specifically for “stunning scenery,” I think you don’t need to set your expectations too high.

👉 If you are interested in history, culture, and ancient engineering, Dujiangyan is still very worth visiting once.

I give the scenery 60 points,

but for the wisdom of the ancients, I am willing to give 100 points.

Some attractions are seen with the eyes, but Dujiangyan, I think, is more suitable to be seen with the mind.

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Visit details

• Address: Dujiangyan Scenic Area, Gongyuan Road（公园路都江堰景区）
• Rating: 4 / 5
• Published: September 2, 2026
• Original record: View this review on Dianping

Photos