Introducing Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Dujiangyan Irrigation System Guide.
Article from Sichuan Municipal Commission of Tourism
Located in Guankou, Chengdu, the Dujiangyan Irrigation System (Dujiang Dam) is a World Natural Heritage site. The Dujiangyan Irrigation System is the oldest irrigation works in the world, built between 275BC and 251BC; Dujiangyan Irrigation System incorporates dam-free diversion, and has serve its intended purpose for the entire duration of its lifetime. Dujiangyan Irrigation System is the world’s oldest irrigation works still operational and is fittingly a World Cultural Heritage site.
As a masterwork of Chinese nation, Dujiang Weir Water Conservation Project was built under the leadership of Li Bing, Governor of Shu Prefecturein the Qin State, to control the flood of the Minjiang River in 256BC. The project uses the way of "water diversion without a dam" and mainly comprises Fish Mouth Levee, Feisha Weir Spillway and Baopingkou. It takes advantage of the natural terrain at mountain pass of the Minjiang River and flow rules of the bend, and integrates three main works into a whole, thus to effectively solve problems of diversion irrigation, flood discharge and sediment ejection, form a scientific and integrate automatic irrigation and drainage system, inoculate the "Land of Abundance" Chengdu Plain, and directly promote the union of Qin State, the first centralized dynasty in Chinese history. For over 2,260 years, Dujiang Weir has played a great role in irrigating the land of over 10 million mu.
Baopingkou
Baopingkou (also named Bottle-Neck Channel) is a gap cut on the long ridge of JianshanMountain (now called Guankou Mountain and Yulei Mountain) toward the Minjiang River, and also an artificial throat to control the water inflow of the InnerRiver. It is named after its shape like a bottle neck with amazing function. The hill on the right side of Baopingkou, separating from its mountain body, is called Lidui. The width and bottom height of Baopinkou are strictly controlled; the ancient people carved dozens of division lines on the palisades, which was named "Water Rule", the earliest water gauge of China.
Fish Mouth
Dujiang Weir comprises Fish Mouth, Feisha Weir and Baopingkou. Fish Mouth, as a diversion dam built in the middle of river, separates the turbulent Minjiang River into Outer River and Inner River, which are used for flood discharge and diversion irrigation respectively. Feisha Weir plays a great role in discharging flood, removing sand and modulating water flow. Baopinkou controls the rate of inflow and is named after its bottle-neck shape. It works until now, so it is called the "LiveWaterConservationMuseum".
Quick Facts on Dujiangyan Irrigation System
• Name: Dujiangyan Irrigation System
• Location: 600 km Northwest of Chengdu
• Phone: +86-28-86702366
• Dates: Qin Dynasty (256BC-251BC)
• Best Time to Visit: April to October
• Recommended Time for a Visit: 1 Day
• Opening Hours: 08:30-18:00 (April to October), 08:00-17:30 (October to March of nexy year)
• Admission Fee: CNY 90