Sichuan is one of China's most fascinating and visited provinces. Its name, 'Four Rivers,' literally counts only a few of its mighty waterways that have flowed from through west mountains across to the East, nourishing fields for thousands of years.

The capital, Chengdu, may be a surprise for those who believe that all of China's wealth lies on the coast. It's a modern and affluent city whose citizens like to keep up with the latest fashions. Few could argue Chengdu's sites rival those of Beijing, so an appreciation of its historical importance is essential before a visit to the Dujiangyan Irrigaton Project.

Some 60km northwest of Chengdu is the project itself: the oldest surviving irrigation system in the world that does not rely on dams to control its water flow. Both this site and nearby Mount Qingcheng are listed as World Cultural Heritage sites.

The military side of the story

The dam's construction began during the Warring States period. At that time, Sichuan was a territory of Qin. Li Bing was appointed governor over its prefectur, Shu, and part of his responsibility was to turn the area into a strategic base for a military supply line to fight against Chu. The Min River was successfully diverted to Chengdu for shipping and wood drift. A new and lasting agricultural heartland was created that attracted a hundred thousand immigrants which, in turn, led to a powerful economy, success in war and the eventual formation of the first unified state of China, the Qin Dynasty.

The Area

The irrigation system is set in a pleasant location overlooked by the tree-lined slopes of Mount Yulei. At the northern end of the dyke is an early cable bridge stretching across the river. The main entrance to the works is at Lidui Park (60 yuan entrance fee). The main road from the entrance goes to the Fulong Temple and Dujiangyan Museum.

Lidui Park

It is certainly worth allocating some time for the park and its beautifully proportioned gardens, which perfectly conform to the Chinese concept of fengshui. Peaceful and quiet, they feature extraordinary bonsai work, ancient crape myrtle trees and ponds teeming with fat goldfish. One of the garden walls has a deliberate hole that 'frames' a section of the garden featuring a flowing waterfall

Fulong Temple

Featuring a stone statue of Li Bing carved during Eastern Han Dynasty, (25-220 AD) this temple is supposedly where the great man defeated an evil dragon. Apparently building the ancient world's greatest irrigation system wasn't enough, but this act made him a legend. A working model of the rigation system is on-site to help you understand the principles behind it.

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