The Dujiang Weir Project is a massive water conservancy project going back to China’s Warring States Period, between 475 to 221 BC. The project took place under the patronage of the Shu Prefecture, Governor Li Bing. Historically, the Minjiang River was known to flood occasionally, and the Dujiang Weir Project was an attempt to curb its wild waters. The project consists of three main dams: Yuzui (Fish Mouth), a water shed that divides the mighty Minjiang River; Feisha Wier (Flying Sand), which plays a role in discharging floodwater, removing debris and regulating water quality; and finally Baopingkou (Treasure Vase Mouth), which is the entrance to the inner river canal which controls the volume of water inflow.
Governor Li Bing designed the dams so as to split the river in two, directing one part to the East so as to prevent flooding the Southern Plains, and the other part to the North to irrigate the fields there. Thus not only was he able to minimise the flooding, but was also able to provide water to the nearby farms. Despite its age, the dams are still in use today. They have undergone some repair and renovation, and the original project has been expanded upon so that a larger part of the Chengdu Plain receives water from the Minjiang River. The Dujiang Weir Project also helped make travel on the river much easier.
The Dujiang Weir is located roughly fifty nine kilometres west of the city of Chengdu. Chengdu is the capital of the Sichuan Province and is known as the ‘Land of Milk and Honey’ because of its agricultural wealth. Despite its ultra-modern nature the city is full of greenery making it one of the best looking cities in China. The city has plenty of shopping destinations and the local nightlife is pretty exciting.
Owing to its stature as an expanding tourist destination one can find a Hotel in Chengdu with relative ease. Millennium Chengdu is about twenty minutes from the airport and is surrounded by an impressive array of shops, boutiques and restaurants. The Chengdu hotel provides excellent service and is suitable for business as well as leisure travellers.