Dujiangyan Irrigation System（都江堰）

Dujiangyan Irrigation System [File photo]

Dujiangyan is an irrigation infrastructure built by Governor Li Bing of the Qin State in 256 B.C., during China's Warring States Period (476-221 B.C.). It is situated on the Min River in Sichuan Province, near its capital Chengdu.

Dujiangyan is the only existing ancient hydro-power project, featuring diversions without a dam, in the world. It is widely regarded as the "ancestor" of the world's modern hydro-power culture, with a history dating back over 2,200 years. It also functions as a means to prevent floods and facilitate plain shipping. It is still in use today, irrigating over 5,300 square kilometers (530,000 hectares) of the region's land.

Dujiangyan is known as one of the "three great hydraulic engineering projects of the Qin Dynasty." The other two are the Zhengguo Canal in Shaanxi Province and the Lingqu Canal in Guangxi Province.

Dujiangyan is also one of China's better-known touristic spots, with many historic sites surrounding the area.

Admission: 90 yuan (US$14.7)/person