Qingcheng Mountain + Dujiangyan: The Perfect Day Trip from Chengdu
A Taoist holy mountain and a 2,200-year-old irrigation system, done in one day â with cable car shortcuts, photo spots, and street food along the way.
Trip Highlights
Route & Schedule
Qingcheng + Dujiangyan Day Trip
Depart Chengdu
Take the intercity train from Xipu Station to Qingcheng Mountain Station (~30 min, ÂĨ10). Transfer to the scenic area shuttle (ÂĨ10/person) to the front mountain gate.
Qingcheng Front Mountain
1. Moon City Lake â misty morning reflections, perfect for hanfu/traditional outfit photos
2. Cable car up (one-way ÂĨ35, 8 min) â saves energy, panoramic mountain views
3. Shangqing Palace â the ancestral Taoist temple. Red walls + thousand-year-old ginkgo trees. Stunning photo spot.
4. Laojun Pavilion (1,260m altitude) â summit panorama, cloud sea on clear days. Bring a wide-angle lens.
5. Walk down (~1.5 hours) â through Nine Switchbacks and Tianshi Cave along the way
Lunch
At the mountain base: Zhang Laozao â brown sugar ciba + fermented rice balls (about ÂĨ15/person). Or taxi 15 min to the Dujiangyan area for Laohao You Tutou (rabbit head â a Sichuan specialty!).
Dujiangyan Irrigation System
1. Qinyan Tower (the high point) â shoot the panoramic view of Fish Mouth Levee from here
2. Anlan Suspension Bridge â wobbly and fun, great overhead river shots
3. Fish Mouth + Flying Sand Weir â the core engineering marvel. Rent the electronic guide (ÂĨ20) or follow a tour group's explanation â otherwise it's just water and rocks.
4. Nanqiao Bridge night view (lights on at 7 PM) â the famous "blue tears" glow spot
đ¸ Photo Tips
- Qingcheng: Use telephoto at Laojun Pavilion for layered mountain ridges
- Dujiangyan: Panorama mode from Qinyan Tower for the full water system
- Outfit: Light colors or hanfu photograph best against the mountain backdrop
- Best light: Before 10 AM and after 4 PM
Practical Info
- Tickets: Qingcheng Front Mountain ÂĨ80, Dujiangyan ÂĨ80 (combo discount available)
- Between the two: Taxi ~ÂĨ25 or Bus 101 direct
- Weather: Mountains get rain often â pack a light rain jacket + non-slip shoes
- Return: Last high-speed train back to Chengdu at 9 PM
