[2025 Dujiangyan Attraction] Travel Guide for Songmao Ancient Path (Updated Oct)

Ingenious water diversion without dams. Dujiangyan in Sichuan, the oldest water conservancy project built by the wisdom of Qin Dynasty official Li Bing and his son, utilizes natural resources without damaging them. Amazingly, it remains fully functional to this day. The entire Dujiangyan water conservancy system is divided into two main parts: the headworks and the irrigation network. The Fish Mouth serves as the water diversion project, the Flying Sand Weir handles flood discharge and sediment removal, and the Bottle Neck is the water intake project. In addition to these three main structures, there are auxiliary constructions such as the Inner and Outer Diamond Dykes and the Renzi Dyke. The system integrates functions like irrigation, flood control, sediment discharge, water transportation, and water supply. Surrounding Dujiangyan are picturesque landscapes and numerous historical sites. Key attractions include Fulong Temple, Erwang Temple, the stone statue of Li Bing, Anlan Suspension Bridge, and Yulei Mountain Park. Due to its large area and dispersed attractions, visitors can explore on foot or opt for electric shuttle cars. Recommended route: Scenic area entrance - Fulong Temple - Viewing Pavilion - Stele Pavilion - Renzi Dyke, Diamond Dyke - Anlan Suspension Bridge - Erwang Temple - Buyun Ladder - Yulei Pavilion - Songmao Ancient Path - Yulei Pass - Scenic area exit.

When people think of Sichuan, the first things that often come to mind are Jiuzhaigou and Chengdu's delicious cuisine. However, Dujiangyan itself is home to many hidden gems waiting to be discovered! Today, I’ll focus on sharing the "Songmao Ancient Path" itinerary, where you can experience the lush greenery, stone-paved paths, and the charm of centuries-old history. If you love outdoor hiking but don’t want to travel too far, the Songmao Ancient Path is an unmissable choice! (Plus, it’s open all year round, making it easy to plan your visit.) Highlights of the Trip｜Serene Ancient Path + Natural Scenery + Historical Relics The Songmao Ancient Path is a classic trail that represents Dujiangyan. Surrounded by greenery, you can stroll along the stone-paved path and enjoy the exceptionally fresh air, giving you a sense of traveling through time. Once a vital transportation route, the ancient path has now become a popular spot for exercise and leisure. Recommended Attractions & Highlights 📍 Songmao Ancient Path - Address: Dujiangyan Scenic Area, Dujiangyan City, Chengdu - Opening Hours: Open all year round, 24/7 Whether it’s early morning or late afternoon, the Songmao Ancient Path is perfect for hiking and photo opportunities. The scenery along the way is diverse—you’ll pass through bamboo forests, cross small streams, and encounter exquisite stone carvings and ancient trees. It’s highly recommended to stop along the way to take photos and immerse yourself in the fragrance of nature. Occasionally, you might even come across local vendors selling handmade snacks. Be sure to try some tofu pudding or baked buns to recharge your energy. Travel Tips｜Practical Itinerary Advice 1. Although the path is shaded by trees, it’s still advisable to bring sunscreen, water, and comfortable shoes in summer (the stone-paved path can be slippery, so be cautious). 2. There’s a short steep section along the path that requires some effort. Elderly visitors or children should take their time and proceed slowly. 3. Avoid starting your hike too late in the day, as the stone path can become slippery in the evening. Pay attention to safety. 4. Be prepared by stocking up on water or snacks in Dujiangyan City, as there are only occasional small vendors along the way. After your hike, you can explore other parts of the Dujiangyan Scenic Area to experience the ancient irrigation culture. If you’re looking to truly embrace a "slow life," the Songmao Ancient Path is the perfect place to breathe deeply, listen to birdsong, and enjoy the natural beauty of a small town. Food Recommendations After finishing your hike, head to the snack streets near Xinjian Road or Nanqiao in Dujiangyan City for a feast: tofu rice, spicy rabbit, and pork intestine noodles are all must-tries. After a half-day hike, indulging in some spicy Sichuan flavors is the ultimate reward! Transportation Guide - If you’re driving from Dujiangyan City Center, it takes just over ten minutes to reach the entrance of the Songmao Ancient Path. Alternatively, you can take a city bus to the Dujiangyan Scenic Area stop and walk to the ancient path. Summary of Practical Tips The Songmao Ancient Path is open year-round with no admission fee. Just remember to wear comfortable shoes, bring enough water, and pack a good mood! A weekend hike here is a great way to unwind and de-stress, making it an excellent outdoor option near the city!

Babies! I just came back from Chengdu for a week and I'm still reminiscing! This time I didn't follow the tour, I found a local friend to take me to play, and I discovered a lot of tourists and few tourists, a sense of experience, even the photo pose is different from others! This article will organize the essence of the route, niche attractions, and hidden gameplay that you have personally tested. Play accordingly and you will not be deceived! 💥 🌟【3 Days Core Route in the City | Reject the crowds, play out the essence of old Chengdu】 Day1: Old Chengdu Slow Life · Immersive alley tea drinking 1. Morning: Powder Tree Street + Little Tong Lane street sweeping times quieter than wide and narrow alleys! Along the street is the old alley full of bougainvillea🏡, casually enter a community cafe (recommended "UID Café", old bungalow renovation, Latte with caramel croissants super great), sit by the window and watch the residents slowly shopping, walking the dog, full of life ~ ✨ Hidden gameplay: There are many handmade shops in the alley, you can experience the non-heritage Shu embroidery keychain DIY (20 minutes to make, much more meaningful than the souvenirs bought in the scenic spot). 2. Afternoon: People's Park Heming Tea House · Local people relax in the same style Don't just know how to take pictures! Spend $22 to order a cup of Bitan Snowflake, find a bamboo chair to sit down, watch the tea drinkers chat, play mahjong 🀄️, and spend $30 to experience "professional ear piercing" (remember the old master in white robe, light and painless), sunlight through the leaves of the tree, this is Chengdu's "Ba Shi"! 3. Evening: Quixinglou Street · Avoid celebrity shops to eat locals privately hidden Don’t force the construction road! The "Grandma Yee Bowl Chicken" next to "Pepper Hot and Spicy" on Kui Sing Lou Street has a super addictive vine pepper flavor. Chicken leg gluten and lotus root slices are a must-order; then go across the street to buy an "egg baked cake" (choose cream minced meat + Oreo double, hot and creamy!), and finally come to a bowl of "handmade ice powder" to relieve the spiciness Day2: Culture + Celebrity · A day of taking pictures of friends 1. Morning: Wuhou Temple · Red Wall Bamboo Shadow Correct Check-in Position 8:30 open the door and go! Head straight to the "Red Wall Road", the sun is slanting when the bamboo shadow falls on the red wall, do not have to force the photo (after 10 o'clock all people) ~ After walking from the side door into Jin Li, at this time Jin Li few tourists, "Three Kingdoms Post Office" can send a postcard (covered exclusive Three Kingdoms postmark), more commemorative than buying souvenirs. 2. Afternoon: Taikoo Li + Chun Hee Road · Small crowd photo spot - Taikoo Li Don't just photograph architecture! The spiral staircase at the entrance of "Fang So Bookstore" is super suitable for taking pictures of atmosphere blockbusters📸; under the ginkgo tree at the entrance of "Da Ci Temple" (super beautiful in autumn and winter), wearing plain clothes can take pictures of a sense of Zen. - IFS Wall Climbing Panda: Don't go to the attic! In the "IFS negative second floor corridor", you can take pictures of the high-rise buildings behind Panda Panorama +, more comprehensive composition and no queue. 3. Evening: Nine Eyes Bridge · You can have fun without going to the bar Walking along the Funan River, watching the lights from both sides of the river reflected in the water, more comfortable than in the bar ~ Walk to the "Anshun Gallery Bridge", after the lights at night, it feels like crossing to an ancient drama, standing by the bridge to take pictures of the night view, no need to add filters are good! Day3: Arts + Fireworks · A must-play for young people 1. Morning: Eastern Suburbs Memory · Industrial Photography Holy Land The old factory renovated cultural and creative park, "Locomotive Plaza" must be photographed (wearing denim shirt super matching); "Star Theater Village" occasionally has a small theater performance (check the venue in advance on the public account, student tickets are discounted), tired of walking at the "Old Warehouse" to drink a cup of coffee, see the wall of old things super healing. 2. Afternoon: Yulin Road · Not only Zhao Lei’s song Don't just check in at the "bistro" door! "Yulin Four Lanes" are all colorful graffiti walls, casual photos are ins style; "Yulin Life Plaza" in "Wang Kee Specialty Pot Helmet", just baked red sugar pot helmet bite a bite of burst pulp, with the next "Liao Kee Bang Bang Chicken", great! 3. Evening: Wangping Street · Chengdu version of "Little Outer Bund" The riverside is all small clear bars and restaurants, choose one with outdoor seating (recommended "UID riverside shop"), order a glass of Mojito + skewers, see the lights across the river and the cruise ships, quieter than the Nine Eyes Bridge, suitable for chatting with friends ~ 🌿【2 Days Surrounding Essence · Double Experience of Nature and Shock】 Day4: Dujiangyan·Don’t just look at water conservancy projects 1. Morning: Dujiangyan Scenic Area · Avoid the tour route Don't enter from the main entrance! Walk up from the entrance of "Qin Yan Building", first see the "Er King Temple", then along the "Song Mao Ancient Road" down, all the way less people can also overlook the whole hydraulic project panoramic view, to "Fish Mouth" just avoid the peak of the tour group, listen to the instructor talk about the principle of "four or six points of water", super shocking! 2. Afternoon: Qingcheng Back Mountain · Locals private hiking routes It's quieter than the former mountain! Enter from the entrance of "Tai'an Ancient Town", hike along the stream, pass "Wulong Groove" when you can step on the water (super cool in summer), climb to "Another Village" take the cable car down the mountain, the waterfalls and bamboo forests along the way are super healing 3. Evening: Return to the city · for a meal of authentic hot pot Don't go to celebrity shops! A friend took me to "Old Xia Lao Hot Pot" in "Niu Market Mouth", an old shop in a residential area, the bottom of the pot is more and more fragrant, the "fresh duck blood" must be cold pot, tender like pudding, 80 dollars per person to eat to the wall out ~ Day5: Panda Base · See the correct way to open the panda 1. Arrive before 7:30 · Snatch the pandas for dinner Pandas are most active in the morning! Head straight to the "Moon Delivery Room" (to see the cubs), then to the "Sun Delivery Room", the pandas will crawl around in the incubator, so cute that the heart melts ~ The pandas in the "Adult Panda Villa" will sit on the tree and gnaw on bamboo, remember to bring some carrots (cut into strips early, the staff can feed if allowed). 2. After 10am: Panda Tower · Take a panorama The "Panda Tower" in the new area of ​​​​Panda Base, take the elevator to the top floor, you can overlook the bamboo forest and panda villa of the entire base, when the weather is good, you can see the snow-capped mountains in the distance, great photography! 3. Noon: Before return · Bring some souvenirs At the "Panda Post Office" at the exit of the base, buying a set of panda stamps ($15 a set) and sending a postcard covered with a panda postmark to a friend is much more practical than buying a panda doll ⚠️【Personal test guide to avoiding ambushes · Don't step on these ambushes! 】 1. Traffic scam: Chengdu Metro can go to 90% of the attractions, do not take the "black car"! From Tianfu Airport to the city, Metro Line 18 is faster than the airport bus (50 minutes direct to Chunxi Road, fare 10 yuan). 2. Food cheat: Don't buy the "Chengdu snack package" in the scenic spot! It's expensive and disgusting. If you recognize the old shop in the residential area, it's right that there are many locals at the door. 3. Photography: Jinli, wide and narrow alleys of "ancient costume follow-up" to bargain! Ask in advance if the "number of refined sheets + negatives are all free" to avoid extra money later. 4. Weather: Chengdu often rains in summer, with a folding umbrella; winter wet and cold, do not wear single shoes, add velvet boots more comfortable. Chengdu is really a city that you don't want to leave once you've come, not because of celebrities taking pictures, but the atmosphere of life in the alleys, the slow time in the teahouse, and the cup of covered bowl of tea handed over by a friend - I'll come next time! 💕

🌿 The most frequently asked-about hiking route recently is none other than the ancient Songmao Trail tucked away in Dujiangyan! Not only does it boast breathtaking scenery, but it's also steeped in history. The best part? Right now, you'll be utterly mesmerized by vast fields of blooming white irises!🌸 This ancient trail served as the "lifeline" connecting the Chengdu Plain to Songpan and Maoxian counties, dating all the way back to the Three Kingdoms period! In ancient times, it was a bustling commercial artery where merchants on mules transported hides, tea, and medicinal herbs from Tibet in exchange for daily necessities. Hence its grand titles: "Tea-Horse Road" and "Southern Silk Road"!🛣️ Imagine walking this historic path, stepping on centuries-old footprints while surrounded by blooming flowers—pure magic! **🌳 Complete Hiking Guide (Choose Your Difficulty Level): Starting Point: Simply navigate to "Jianjian Tree, Dujiangyan"! Three route options to suit everyone: 1. **Leisure Mode (Beginner/Family-Friendly):** From the start, take the left uphill road into forest trails. Hike to the highest point—Yintai Temple (a small Taoist temple for rest), then return the same way. Easy and relaxing! 2. **Intermediate Challenge (Moderate Effort):** Follow Route 1 to Yintai Temple but continue downhill via farm roads. When you spot a wooden bridge on your left, turn left! This leads to stone-paved forest paths ascending to another temple (same as Yintai Temple), then return. 3. **Warrior Route (Strenuous):** Start by taking the right path along the river uphill to Yintai Temple. Like Route 2, descend to the wooden bridge, turn left onto stone paths to the temple, but return via forest trails. *💫 These routes form a scenic 9km loop, typically completed in 4 hours✅. Max elevation: 1,508m; total ascent: 751m. Choose based on your fitness level. **Trail Notes: Expect varied terrain—forest dirt paths, rocky trails, farm roads, and stone forest steps. Caution advised.** Strongly recommend anti-slip hiking shoes👟 and trekking poles for stability!** Some sections may have landslides—stay alert for safety⚠️. **👣 Pro Tips: 1️⃣ **Transport & Parking:** Navigate to "Jianjian Tree, Dujiangyan" (~1.5hr drive). Parking fee: ¥10—great value! 2️⃣ **Avoid Getting Lost:** Poor signal📶—download the offline 【Songmao Trail】 map on "Two Step" APP beforehand for guidance. 3️⃣ **Supplies:** No vendors en route💧—pack all food and water. 4️⃣ **Gear Checklist:** Trekking poles (stability!), sun hat (UV protection), windproof jacket (breezy up there), insect repellent (forest bugs) are must-haves🧰. 5️⃣ **Safety First:** Hike with a buddy for mutual support. **🎈 Bonus: Post-hike, stop by Zipingba Reservoir for stunning views—perfect photo ops📷! Don't miss capturing these moments. Blending history, nature, and adventure, the Songmao Trail is absolutely worth exploring! Gather your friends and experience it together!

' ✅ It was the only passage connecting the Chengdu Plain with Songpan and Maoxian in ancient times ✅ It was once a bustling commercial route 🌿 Dujiangyan Scenic Area You can tour the entire area without retracing your steps From the Erwang Temple, which commemorates Li Bing and his son, turn left and you will enter the Songmao Ancient Road~ 🌿 The Songmao Ancient Road is not just an ordinary trail It was an ancient road leading to the 'barbarian regions' The starting point is Dujiangyan The endpoint is the ancient towns of Songpan County and Maoxian in Aba Prefecture Guanxian West Street and the Songmao Ancient Road were once known as the 'Southern Silk Road'~ 📍 Scenic Spot Address: Songmao Ancient Road 🚗 Scenic Spot Transportation: Intercity railway to 'Lidui Park Station' 👍️ Famous Attractions: Yulei Pass, West Pass, 🎫 Dujiangyan Ticket Information: 50 yuan 💗 Other Tips: 🌟 Not sunny in summer, it is a shaded path 🌟 Can connect to the ancient city wall