Overview:

is a water conservancy project on the Minjiang River in Sichuan Province. It was originally constructed by the renowned Prime Minister of the State of Qin in 256BC, and is still used to this day. The Dujiangyan project consists of two main components: the Yuzui (Fish Accumulating Weir) and the Feishayan (Flying Sand Ravine). The Yuzui section is a large man-made weir built across the Minjiang River, diverting the importance of the water into two channels. The main canal from the Yuzui is the Feizi, which leads to the Feishayan area, a narrow and deep ravine of rocks and stones through which the diverted river flows. The Feishayan overlooks an active earthquake fault (Longmenshan); at the end of the ravine is a man-made spillway. The purpose of the Dujiangyan project was to divert some of the seasonal flooding of the river in order to irrigate the Chengdu Plain. The irrigation system also served to reduce the risk of flooding in the region. The Dujiangyan Irrigation System has greatly contributed to the prosperity of Sichuan Province for over 20 centuries, and is recognized as the world’s oldest irrigation infrastructure that is still in active use. It has been classified as a UNESCO world heritage site, and several replicas have been built worldwide. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in China
Prominent Features:

1. Rooted in the 3rd Century BC: The Dujiangyan Irrigation System in Sichuan, China is one of the oldest irrigation systems in the world, dating back to the 3rd century BC. It was initially designed and built by the Ancient Chinese statesman and engineer Li Bing and his son. 2. Tens of Thousands of Kilometers Long: The vast system stretches for tens of thousands of kilometers across the Sichuan Basin, transporting water from the rivers of the region into agricultural lands. 3. Key to the Sichuan Basin: The system is essential to the economic success and sustainability of the Sichuan Basin, providing the region with such important resources as drinking water, irrigation, and flood control. 4. Completely Unaltered: Despite the passing of more than two millennia, the irrigation system has remained virtually unchanged, demonstrating a remarkable level of architectural and engineering ingenuity. 5. Cultural Importance: It is among the oldest and most important UNESCO World Heritage sites and is seen as an testament to the rich Chinese cultural history. The Dujiangyan Irrigation System is also the source of the Minjiang, one of the three main rivers of Sichuan. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in China.

History:

The Dujiangyan Irrigation System, located in Sichuan, China, is one of the oldest existing irrigation systems in the world, having been in operation for more than 2000 years. It was originally built by the state of Qin under the guidance of Li Bing, an adviser for the famous Qin ruler, Qin Shihuangdi, in 256 BC. The idea behind the irrigation system was to tame the Minjiang River, which was prone to flooding and had periodically wiped out entire villages along its banks. Li Bing’s solution was to build an elaborate system of levees, dams, and canals to both divert floodwaters and help irrigate the surrounding farmland. The Dujiangyan Irrigation System consists of three primary components: the Fish Mouth Levee, the Feather Gate Weir, and the Yuzui Levee. The Fish Mouth Levee, a curved levee built across the river, splits the river flow in two. One part flows into the Feather Gate Weir, which controls the amount of water the second part of the river receives. The Yuzui Levee, a slanted levee, redirects the water flow from the Feather Gate Weir and irrigates the farmland at the foot of the levee. The system has gone through many changes over the centuries, as repairs and maintenance were performed to keep the system in working condition. However, in its essence, the Dujiangyan Irrigation System remains the same as it was a millennia ago, with the Fish Mouth Levee, the Feather Gate Weir, and the Yuzui Levee still in place. It is even listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Dujiangyan Irrigation System is widely credited with the increased agricultural production in Sichuan, which was in part responsible for its development into an important center of Chinese civilization. To this day, the irrigation system is still used to water crops, providing an indication of how successful Li Bing’s original design has proven to be over the centuries. Visit one of the famous monuments of China with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Dujiangyan Irrigation System in Sichuan was built in 256 B.C.E. by the Governor of Shu and ancestor of the then ruling Qin family, Li Bing, with his son Zah DA. 2. It is one of the oldest and most successful irrigation systems in the world and the only one still in use in the way it was originally built. 3. It has provided irrigation to a large area of Sichuan ever since its completion and is considered a major feat of ancient engineering. 4. The Dujiangyan Irrigation System has a total length of 76 km (47 miles) and has seven main components–the Fish Mouth, Flying Sand Wall, Yuzui or Curved Dyke, Baopingkou or Bottle Neck, Feishayan or Flying Sand Gully, Danganjia or Egret Rock, and Baocuncun or Cresset Slope. 5. Its clever design uses no pumps, instead controlling the flow of the Minjiang River by manipulating water levels in the area and releasing accumulations of water as needed. 6. In 2000, Dujiangyan was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its unique and innovative design, which has contributed to the development of the region’s agricultural and social economy for more than two millennia. One of the historical monuments of China, it tells the story of a bygone era