Dujiangyan: A Millennium Water Conservancy Miracle and the Source of the Land of Abundance

Located in the western part of the Chengdu Plain, the Dujiangyan Scenic Area is a large-scale water conservancy project built in 256 BC under the leadership of Li Bing and his son, governors of Shu County. Known as the "originator of world water conservancy culture," this 2,200-year-old "living" heritage not only harnessed nature with the wisdom of dam-free water diversion but also transformed the Min River's floods into the life source that nourishes the Land of Abundance, achieving the ideal of "water and drought obey human will, and famine is unknown." The core of Dujiangyan lies in its three ingenious designs: the Fish Mouth Levee divides the Min River into inner and outer streams, with the outer stream for flood discharge and the inner stream for water diversion; the Flying Sand Weir uses the principle of water flow vortex to automatically discharge sand, preventing riverbed siltation; and the Bottle Neck acts as a precise throat to control water inflow. These three elements work in harmony to achieve automatic regulation of "flood diversion, sand discharge, and water diversion," and continue to provide irrigation, flood control, and urban water supply for the Chengdu Plain to this day. Within the scenic area, the ancient trees of Lidui Park and the Fulong Temple create a picturesque contrast. The temple houses a stone statue of Li Bing and water control tools, narrating the ancient philosophy of "leveraging the situation and adapting to the times." From the summit of Mount Yulei, one can overlook the Fish Mouth resembling a giant fish lying in the river, while the waves of the Flying Sand Weir and the green ripples of the Bottle Neck weave a dynamic tapestry. Spring brings rushing waters, summer offers shaded greenery, autumn showcases colorful foliage, and winter envelops the area in mist—each season presents a unique yet equally breathtaking view. Dujiangyan is not only an engineering marvel but also a 5A-rated tourist attraction. Visitors can stroll across the Anlan Suspension Bridge to feel the river breeze, listen to the legends of Li Bing and his son at the Erwang Temple, or enjoy a cup of tea at the Nan Bridge while watching the gentle flow of the river, gaining insight into the eternal wisdom of "following the way of nature."