DAY1: Dujiangyan - QingChen Mountain - Kuanzhai Alley
Dujiangyan
Dujiangyan is located in Dujiangyan City, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, at the upper reaches of the Minjiang River.
Its specific geographical coordinates are 30°59′ north latitude and 103°36′ east longitude. It is the oldest non-dam water diversion project in the world, constructed around 256 BC by Li Bing and his son, governors of the Shu Prefecture during the Qin Dynasty.
To this day, it continues to play a vital role in water management. The Dujiangyan Scenic Area includes three main components: the Fish Mouth Levee, the Flying Sand Weir, and the Bottle-Neck Channel, showcasing the remarkable ingenuity of ancient Chinese hydraulic engineering. The area also features historical and cultural relics such as the Erwang Temple and Fulong Temple, blending natural and cultural landscapes.
Dujiangyan was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.
QingChen Mountain
Mount Qingcheng, located in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, is one of the four sacred Taoist mountains in the country. It is renowned for its serene natural scenery and profound cultural heritage.
The mountain is densely covered with lush, evergreen forests, hence its name "Qingcheng," which means "Green City." Mount Qingcheng is divided into the Front Mountain and the Back Mountain.
The Front Mountain is home to Taoist temples such as the Jianfu Palace and the Tianshi Cave, exuding a sense of religious and historical significance.
The Back Mountain, on the other hand, is known for its natural landscapes, featuring streams, waterfalls, and gorges that create a fairy-tale-like atmosphere.
Mount Qingcheng is not only a sacred site for Taoist practice but also an ideal destination for visitors seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse themselves in nature.
In 2000, Mount Qingcheng, along with the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kuanzhai Alley
Kuanzhai Alley, located in Chengdu's Qingyang District, is a historic and cultural area comprising three parallel alleys:Kuan Alley (Wide Alley), Zhai Alley (Narrow Alley), and Jing Alley (Well Alley).
These alleys feature traditional Qing Dynasty architecture, with gray brick courtyards and ancient-style buildings. The area offers a blend of old Chengdu charm and modern establishments, including teahouses, restaurants, boutique shops, and cultural exhibitions.
It's a popular destination for both locals and tourists to experience the city's rich history and vibrant street life.
Sanxingdui Museum
The Sanxingdui Museum is located by the Yazi River in the northwest of Guanghan City, Sichuan Province, China, with specific geographical coordinates at 30°59′ north latitude and 104°12′ east longitude.
The museum displays a vast collection of precious artifacts unearthed from the Sanxingdui archaeological site, including bronze ware, gold artifacts, jade objects, and ivory carvings, dating back 3,000 to 5,000 years. These artifacts serve as significant evidence of the ancient Shu civilization.
The Sanxingdui culture has attracted global attention from archaeologists and tourists due to its unique artistic style and mysterious historical background.
The museum consists of two main exhibition halls:
the Comprehensive Hall and the Bronze Hall, which showcase different categories of artifacts and archaeological discoveries.
Chengdu East Suburb Memory
Chengdu East Suburb Memory (formerly East District Music Park) is located at 1 Jianshe South Branch Road, Chenghua District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, with specific geographical coordinates at 30°39′ north latitude and 104°07′ east longitude.
Once the site of the state-owned Hongguang Electronic Tube Factory, it has been transformed into a cultural and creative park blending industrial heritage with modern art.
The area integrates art exhibitions, live music performances, creative markets, and cafes, preserving iconic 20th-century industrial structures such as red-brick factories, giant chimneys, and steel frameworks. These elements contrast with contemporary graffiti, sculptures, and installations, creating a unique "retro-futuristic" vibe.
Key attractions include the Central Stage, Locomotive Square, Fanxing Art Museum, and immersive digital art spaces, making it a hub for Chengdu’s youth culture and avant-garde art.
DAY3: Du Fu Thatched Cottage - Temple of Marquis - Jinli Ancient Street
Du Fu Thatched Cottage
Du Fu Thatched Cottage is located at 37 Qinghua Road, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, with specific geographical coordinates at 30°39′ north latitude and 104°02′ east longitude.
It is the former residence of the renowned Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu during his exile in Chengdu and now serves as a cultural heritage park commemorating his life and works.
Originally built during the Song Dynasty and restored multiple times, the cottage features elegant ancient architecture, including the Gongbu Shrine, Shishi Hall, and the replica of Du Fu’s thatched hut, reflecting his poetic ideals of compassion and patriotism.
The park is adorned with serene bamboo groves, flowing streams, and seasonal landscapes, particularly famous for its plum blossoms in spring and ginkgo trees in autumn.
Temple of Marquis
Wuhou Shrine is located at 231 Wuhou Shrine Street, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, adjacent to Jinli Ancient Street.Its specific geographical coordinates are 30°38′54.6″ north latitude and 104°02′37.0″ east longitude.
It is the only temple in China dedicated to both a ruler and his minister (honoring Zhuge Liang, the Shu Han prime minister, and Liu Bei, the emperor buried in the nearby "Hui Mausoleum"). Built in 223 AD, it is revered as the "Sacred Site of Three Kingdoms Culture."
The shrine features solemn architecture with ancient cypress trees and iconic red-walled pathways. Key attractions include the Liu Bei Hall, Zhuge Liang Hall, the Three Excellence Stele (celebrated for its prose, calligraphy, and carvings), and a cultural relics exhibition showcasing artifacts from the Three Kingdoms period.
Wuhou Shrine is not only a vital site for studying Three Kingdoms history but also a cultural landmark of Chengdu.
Jinli Ancient Street
Jinli Ancient Street is located next to Wuhou Shrine Street in Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, with specific geographical coordinates at 30°39′ north latitude and 104°02′ east longitude.
With a history of over 1,800 years, this ancient street was once one of the oldest commercial thoroughfares in the history of the Shu Kingdom.
Today, it is renowned for its Ming- and Qing-style architecture, traditional Sichuan folk culture, and local delicacies. Stretching approximately 550 meters, the cobblestone street is lined with teahouses, handicraft shops, Sichuan opera theaters, and food stalls offering specialties like "Three-Gun Glutinous Rice Balls," "Zhong Dumplings," and "Long Wontons."
At night, the street glows with red lanterns, blending historical charm with modern vitality, epitomizing Chengdu’s leisurely lifestyle.
