Cultural Heritage: A Journey to Dujiangyan Scenic Area

Dujiangyan is a city with a long history and rich cultural heritage located around Chengdu, Sichuan Province. It is also home to the world-renowned ancient water conservancy project. With a history of over 2000 years, Dujiangyan is not only a testament to human ingenuity but also a model of harmonious coexistence between nature and humanity. Spending two days and one night here, I deeply felt the unique charm and endless historical and cultural significance of Dujiangyan. Here are my thoughts on this trip. Day 1: Exploring Dujiangyan Water Conservancy Project and Mount Qingcheng Our journey began with the Dujiangyan Water Conservancy Project, the part I was most looking forward to. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, its history and impact are profound and far-reaching. Upon entering the scenic area, I first visited the core area of Dujiangyan—the Fish Mouth Water-Dividing Dam. This facility's ingenious design is still in use today, showcasing the ancient people's exceptional engineering skills. The Fish Mouth Water-Dividing Dam is a crucial part of Dujiangyan, responsible for diverting water from the Min River into various channels to irrigate the Chengdu Plain. Standing beside the dam, gazing at the rushing Min River, I felt the weight of history and marveled at how the ancients, without modern technology, cleverly designed and completed such a great water conservancy project. Next, I visited another important part of Dujiangyan—the Flying Sand Weir. The Flying Sand Weir is a sediment discharge facility designed to effectively remove silt from the water, keeping the channels clear. This design demonstrates the ancient people's deep understanding of natural phenomena and their mastery of engineering techniques. With the professional guide's explanation, I gained a deeper understanding of the entire water conservancy project. Behind each facility lies the wisdom of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature over centuries. In the afternoon, I visited Mount Qingcheng, adjacent to Dujiangyan. As a sacred Taoist site, Mount Qingcheng has a rich cultural heritage. The scenery here is picturesque, with overlapping mountains, lush trees, and fresh air. At the mountain gate of Mount Qingcheng, there is an ancient stone staircase leading to many Taoist temples and practicing Taoists. The architectural style here is simple and elegant, complementing the natural landscape. Mount Qingcheng is not only one of the birthplaces of Taoism but also a perfect blend of ancient Chinese architecture and natural scenery. On Mount Qingcheng, I slowed down, immersed in the tranquil natural and cultural landscape, and felt a sense of spiritual cleansing. Day 2: Tasting Local Cuisine and Culture The second day's itinerary focused on exploring the culture of Dujiangyan city and its surroundings. Dujiangyan not only has a deep historical background but also boasts a rich variety of local cuisine and culture. In the city, I tasted local specialties such as 'Dujiangyan Dandan Noodles' and 'Sweet-Skin Duck.' These snacks have unique flavors and strong local characteristics, making each bite incredibly satisfying. Especially the Dandan Noodles, with their chewy texture and rich chili oil, are a classic representative of Sichuan cuisine. Afterward, I visited the ancient streets of Dujiangyan city, which retain many old buildings with local characteristics. The shops along the streets sell various local handicrafts and souvenirs. Walking through these ancient alleys, seeing the red lanterns and old-fashioned shops, I felt as if I had traveled back in time to hundreds of years ago. This atmosphere made me deeply appreciate that Dujiangyan is not only a representative of water conservancy projects but also a place with profound cultural heritage. Concluding my tour of Dujiangyan city, I made a special trip to the nearby Min River Bridge, where the scenery also amazed me. Standing on the bridge, looking at the rolling Min River and the magnificent mountains of western Sichuan, I was captivated by the natural beauty. Locals often stroll by the bridge, enjoying the beautiful scenery, which is undoubtedly a highlight of Dujiangyan. Summary: The two-day and one-night trip to Dujiangyan allowed me to deeply appreciate the city's historical and cultural charm. From the scientific design of the Dujiangyan Water Conservancy Project to the Taoist culture of Mount Qingcheng, and the local cuisine and handicrafts in the city, every part made me feel the unique flavor of this land. This trip was not only an exploration of an ancient city but also a deep understanding of ancient Chinese wisdom and local culture. I feel very fortunate to have spent such a wonderful time here. Dujiangyan is not only an exploration of history and nature but also a reverence for human wisdom and an experience of the beauty of life.