A close look at the Dujiangyan irrigation system in Chengdu, China
Wire desk byline Sourced from Xinhua, Dawn, Arab News, Anadolu and Minute Mirror. Translated and abridged by the GSRRA Desk.
People learn about Dujiangyan irrigation system at Dujiangyan scenic area in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Nov. 30, 2025. The Dujiangyan irrigation system, characterized by dam-free water diversion, was built in 256 BC and is the oldest, the only remaining grand water conservancy project in the world, which has withstood the tests of natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, and is still in use today.
A “fish-mouth” shaped weir splits the Minjiang River into an inner channel for irrigation and an outer channel for discharge of flood water.
It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by the United Nations in November 2000, and was listed as a World Irrigation Engineering Heritage in August 2018. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)
Tourists visit Nanqiao bridge at Dujiangyan scenic area in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Nov. 30, 2025. The Dujiangyan irrigation system, characterized by dam-free water diversion, was built in 256 BC and is the oldest, the only remaining grand water conservancy project in the world, which has withstood the tests of natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, and is still in use today.
A “fish-mouth” shaped weir splits the Minjiang River into an inner channel for irrigation and an outer channel for the discharge of flood water.
It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by the United Nations in November 2000, and was listed as a World Irrigation Engineering Heritage in August 2018. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)
An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 6, 2025 shows the inner channel and an ancient street with a history of 700 years in Dujiangyan City, Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. The Dujiangyan irrigation system, characterized by dam-free water diversion, was built in 256 BC and is the oldest, the only remaining grand water conservancy project in the world, which has withstood the tests of natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, and is still in use today.
A “fish-mouth” shaped weir splits the Minjiang River into an inner channel for irrigation and an outer channel for the discharge of flood water.
It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by the United Nations in November 2000, and was listed as a World Irrigation Engineering Heritage in August 2018. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)
This photo taken on Nov. 30, 2025 shows the Dujiangyan scenic area in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. The Dujiangyan irrigation system, characterized by dam-free water diversion, was built in 256 BC and is the oldest, the only remaining grand water conservancy project in the world, which has withstood the tests of natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, and is still in use today.
A “fish-mouth” shaped weir splits the Minjiang River into an inner channel for irrigation and an outer channel for the discharge of flood water.
It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by the United Nations in November 2000, and was listed as a World Irrigation Engineering Heritage in August 2018. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)
This photo taken on Nov. 30, 2025 shows the sluice gates over the outer channel at the “fish-mouth” water diversion in Dujiangyan City, Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. The Dujiangyan irrigation system, characterized by dam-free water diversion, was built in 256 BC and is the oldest, the only remaining grand water conservancy project in the world, which has withstood the tests of natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, and is still in use today.
A “fish-mouth” shaped weir splits the Minjiang River into an inner channel for irrigation and an outer channel for discharge of flood water.
It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by the United Nations in November 2000, and was listed as a World Irrigation Engineering Heritage in August 2018. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)
An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 6, 2025 shows the “fish-mouth” water diversion, looked over from Qinyanlou pavilion, at Dujiangyan scenic area in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. The Dujiangyan irrigation system, characterized by dam-free water diversion, was built in 256 BC and is the oldest, the only remaining grand water conservancy project in the world, which has withstood the tests of natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, and is still in use today.
A “fish-mouth” shaped weir splits the Minjiang River into an inner channel for irrigation and an outer channel for discharge of flood water.
It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by the United Nations in November 2000, and was listed as a World Irrigation Engineering Heritage in August 2018. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)
Tourists visit Yangongdao at Dujiangyan scenic area in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Dec. 6, 2025. The Dujiangyan irrigation system, characterized by dam-free water diversion, was built in 256 BC and is the oldest, the only remaining grand water conservancy project in the world, which has withstood the tests of natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, and is still in use today.
A “fish-mouth” shaped weir splits the Minjiang River into an inner channel for irrigation and an outer channel for discharge of flood water.
It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by the United Nations in November 2000, and was listed as a World Irrigation Engineering Heritage in August 2018. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)
Tourists visit Fulongguan at Dujiangyan scenic area in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Dec. 6, 2025. The Dujiangyan irrigation system, characterized by dam-free water diversion, was built in 256 BC and is the oldest, the only remaining grand water conservancy project in the world, which has withstood the tests of natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, and is still in use today.
A “fish-mouth” shaped weir splits the Minjiang River into an inner channel for irrigation and an outer channel for discharge of flood water.
It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by the United Nations in November 2000, and was listed as a World Irrigation Engineering Heritage in August 2018. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)
A tourist takes photos at Fulongguan in Dujiangyan scenic area in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Dec. 6, 2025. The Dujiangyan irrigation system, characterized by dam-free water diversion, was built in 256 BC and is the oldest, the only remaining grand water conservancy project in the world, which has withstood the tests of natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, and is still in use today.
A “fish-mouth” shaped weir splits the Minjiang River into an inner channel for irrigation and an outer channel for discharge of flood water.
It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by the United Nations in November 2000, and was listed as a World Irrigation Engineering Heritage in August 2018. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)
An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 6, 2025 shows the “fish-mouth” water diversion (lower left) in Dujiangyan City, Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. The Dujiangyan irrigation system, characterized by dam-free water diversion, was built in 256 BC and is the oldest, the only remaining grand water conservancy project in the world, which has withstood the tests of natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, and is still in use today.
A “fish-mouth” shaped weir splits the Minjiang River into an inner channel for irrigation and an outer channel for discharge of flood water.
It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by the United Nations in November 2000, and was listed as a World Irrigation Engineering Heritage in August 2018. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)
Tourists take photos under a 1800-year-old Ginkgo tree at Yangongdao in Dujiangyan scenic area in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Nov. 30, 2025. The Dujiangyan irrigation system, characterized by dam-free water diversion, was built in 256 BC and is the oldest, the only remaining grand water conservancy project in the world, which has withstood the tests of natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, and is still in use today.
A “fish-mouth” shaped weir splits the Minjiang River into an inner channel for irrigation and an outer channel for discharge of flood water.
It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by the United Nations in November 2000, and was listed as a World Irrigation Engineering Heritage in August 2018. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)
An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 30, 2025 shows Baopingkou, an artificially excavated water inlet, at Dujiangyan scenic area in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. The Dujiangyan irrigation system, characterized by dam-free water diversion, was built in 256 BC and is the oldest, the only remaining grand water conservancy project in the world, which has withstood the tests of natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, and is still in use today.
A “fish-mouth” shaped weir splits the Minjiang River into an inner channel for irrigation and an outer channel for discharge of flood water.
It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by the United Nations in November 2000, and was listed as a World Irrigation Engineering Heritage in August 2018. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)
This photo taken on Nov. 30, 2025 shows Yulei pavilion at Dujiangyan scenic area in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. The Dujiangyan irrigation system, characterized by dam-free water diversion, was built in 256 BC and is the oldest, the only remaining grand water conservancy project in the world, which has withstood the tests of natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, and is still in use today.
A “fish-mouth” shaped weir splits the Minjiang River into an inner channel for irrigation and an outer channel for discharge of flood water.
It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by the United Nations in November 2000, and was listed as a World Irrigation Engineering Heritage in August 2018. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)
An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 6, 2025 shows the Anlan bridge over the inner channel (L) and the outer channel (R) in Dujiangyan City, Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. The Dujiangyan irrigation system, characterized by dam-free water diversion, was built in 256 BC and is the oldest, the only remaining grand water conservancy project in the world, which has withstood the tests of natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, and is still in use today.
A “fish-mouth” shaped weir splits the Minjiang River into an inner channel for irrigation and an outer channel for discharge of flood water.
It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by the United Nations in November 2000, and was listed as a World Irrigation Engineering Heritage in August 2018. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)
Tourists pose for photos at Dujiangyan scenic area in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Dec. 6, 2025. The Dujiangyan irrigation system, characterized by dam-free water diversion, was built in 256 BC and is the oldest, the only remaining grand water conservancy project in the world, which has withstood the tests of natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, and is still in use today.
A “fish-mouth” shaped weir splits the Minjiang River into an inner channel for irrigation and an outer channel for discharge of flood water.
It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by the United Nations in November 2000, and was listed as a World Irrigation Engineering Heritage in August 2018. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)
Tourists visit Huaigu Pavilion of Fulongguan at Dujiangyan scenic area in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Dec. 6, 2025. The Dujiangyan irrigation system, characterized by dam-free water diversion, was built in 256 BC and is the oldest, the only remaining grand water conservancy project in the world, which has withstood the tests of natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, and is still in use today.
A “fish-mouth” shaped weir splits the Minjiang River into an inner channel for irrigation and an outer channel for discharge of flood water.
It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by the United Nations in November 2000, and was listed as a World Irrigation Engineering Heritage in August 2018. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)
An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 6, 2025 shows the inner channel (L) and Feishayan, one of the three major components of the Dujiangyan irrigation system, in Dujiangyan City, Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. The Dujiangyan irrigation system, characterized by dam-free water diversion, was built in 256 BC and is the oldest, the only remaining grand water conservancy project in the world, which has withstood the tests of natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, and is still in use today.
A “fish-mouth” shaped weir splits the Minjiang River into an inner channel for irrigation and an outer channel for discharge of flood water.
It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by the United Nations in November 2000, and was listed as a World Irrigation Engineering Heritage in August 2018. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)
An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 6, 2025 shows Baopingkou, an artificially excavated water inlet, at Dujiangyan scenic area in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. The Dujiangyan irrigation system, characterized by dam-free water diversion, was built in 256 BC and is the oldest, the only remaining grand water conservancy project in the world, which has withstood the tests of natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, and is still in use today.
A “fish-mouth” shaped weir splits the Minjiang River into an inner channel for irrigation and an outer channel for discharge of flood water.
It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by the United Nations in November 2000, and was listed as a World Irrigation Engineering Heritage in August 2018. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)
An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 6, 2025 shows Nanqiao bridge over the inner channel at Dujiangyan scenic area in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. The Dujiangyan irrigation system, characterized by dam-free water diversion, was built in 256 BC and is the oldest, the only remaining grand water conservancy project in the world, which has withstood the tests of natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, and is still in use today.
A “fish-mouth” shaped weir splits the Minjiang River into an inner channel for irrigation and an outer channel for discharge of flood water.
It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by the United Nations in November 2000, and was listed as a World Irrigation Engineering Heritage in August 2018. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)
This photo taken on Dec. 6, 2025 shows the stone statue of Li Bing, the original designer of Dujiangyan irrigation system, at Fulongguan of Dujiangyan scenic area in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. The Dujiangyan irrigation system, characterized by dam-free water diversion, was built in 256 BC and is the oldest, the only remaining grand water conservancy project in the world, which has withstood the tests of natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, and is still in use today.
A “fish-mouth” shaped weir splits the Minjiang River into an inner channel for irrigation and an outer channel for discharge of flood water.
It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by the United Nations in November 2000, and was listed as a World Irrigation Engineering Heritage in August 2018. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)
Tourists visit Qingxi Garden at Dujiangyan scenic area in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Dec. 6, 2025. The Dujiangyan irrigation system, characterized by dam-free water diversion, was built in 256 BC and is the oldest, the only remaining grand water conservancy project in the world, which has withstood the tests of natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, and is still in use today.
A “fish-mouth” shaped weir splits the Minjiang River into an inner channel for irrigation and an outer channel for the discharge of flood water.
It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by the United Nations in November 2000, and was listed as a World Irrigation Engineering Heritage in August 2018. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)
Reference Link:- https://english.news.cn/20251207/f9a8eeb7d59e4490ba1953699fc99000/c.html
Zamir Ahmed Awan is the founder and Chair of the Global Silk Route Research Alliance, a think tank in Islamabad. He studied engineering at Shanghai University in the 1980s, and years later he went back to China as Pakistan's science counsellor in Beijing, from 2010 until 2016, working on science and higher education cooperation between the two countries.…
