Mount Qingcheng and Dujiangyan Day Tour: Hiking UNESCO Sites

Hike to a Taoist temple and cable car down from the mountaintop, then walk through an ancient irrigation marvel

This private full-day tour from Chengdu takes you to Mount Qingcheng, a UNESCO site and the birthplace of China's Taoist religion, where you hike to Moon City Lake, ride a cable car to a Taoist temple, and continue to the mountaintop Laojun Pavilion before descending by cable car and foot. After lunch at a local restaurant, you visit Dujiangyan, the world's oldest surviving non-dam irrigation system built over 2,000 years ago. Hotel pickup and drop-off within Chengdu's 3rd Ring road are included. The driver speaks limited English but is experienced and can help with tickets and restaurant recommendations.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Mount Qingcheng2h · entry included
2. Dujiangyan Irrigation System2h · entry included

Explore Mount Qingcheng and Dujiangyan

• Hotel pickup in Chengdu
• Drive 2 hours to Dujiangyan Irrigation System
• Depart for Mount Qingcheng at 7:15 AM
• Ride golf cart to Taoist architecture
• Walk uphill 30 minutes to Moon City Lake
• Take cable car to Taoist temple
• Hike to mountaintop Laojun Pavilion
• Descend by cable car from Shangqing Palace
• Walk 30 minutes to exit Mount Qingcheng
• Lunch at local restaurant (own expense)
• Visit Dujiangyan Irrigation System site
• Return to Chengdu hotel

The experience

The day starts with a 2-hour drive from your Chengdu hotel to Mount Qingcheng. A golf cart carries you into the park's Taoist-inspired architecture (the landscape that inspired Kung Fu Panda 3's Panda Village) before you walk uphill for half an hour to Moon City Lake. From there, a cable car takes you to a significant Taoist temple, and you continue hiking to the mountaintop Laojun Pavilion, where views stretch across the landscape if weather allows. The descent uses another cable car from Shangqing Palace, followed by a 30-minute walk to exit the mountain.

Lunch is at a local restaurant where you choose from Sichuan cuisine or other options (at your own expense). Your driver can suggest places and help with ordering. In the afternoon, you visit Dujiangyan Irrigation System, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the only surviving non-dam irrigation system in the world. Built during the Qin Dynasty over 2,000 years ago, it demonstrates the engineering ingenuity that still manages water flow today. You return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

This is a self-guided tour with no accompanying guide, though your private driver is experienced and speaks limited English. He handles entrance tickets and can direct you to restaurants. The full day runs about nine hours from pickup to drop-off. Comfortable walking shoes and moderate fitness are necessary for the mountain sections.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pickup and drop-off within Chengdu's 3rd Ring road.
• golf cart and cable car access at Mount Qingcheng.
• entrance fees for Mount Qingcheng and Dujiangyan Irrigation System.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00 and 08:00

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Child (under 6)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 41 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Leo's Guide & Driver Service

Is this one for you?The nine-hour day fills the morning and afternoon but leaves your evening free in Chengdu. This tour suits travelers with moderate fitness who want to hike a sacred mountain and see ancient engineering in a single outing, though the self-guided format means you set your own pace at each site rather than following a guide's narrative.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 6).

What's the hike like on Mount Qingcheng?

Mount Qingcheng involves a half-hour uphill walk to Moon City Lake, then cable car access to the Taoist temple and a continued hike to the mountaintop Laojun Pavilion. You descend by cable car from Shangqing Palace and walk out for 30 minutes. Moderate physical fitness is required.

Is there a guide with me during the tour?

No guide accompanies this tour. Your private driver speaks limited English but is experienced, helps with entrance tickets, and can recommend local restaurants. You explore the sites at your own pace.

What is Dujiangyan and why does it matter?

Dujiangyan is the world's oldest and only surviving non-dam irrigation system, built over 2,000 years ago during the Qin Dynasty. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site that demonstrates ancient engineering still managing water flow today.

Does the tour include meals?

Lunch is at your own expense at a local restaurant where you can choose Sichuan cuisine or other options. Your driver can suggest restaurants and help with ordering.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off within Chengdu's 3rd Ring road, private air-conditioned vehicle, golf cart and cable car access at Mount Qingcheng, and entrance fees for both sites are included. Lunch and gratuities are not.

How long is the full day?

The tour runs about nine hours from hotel pickup to drop-off, including the 2-hour drive to Mount Qingcheng, the morning hike and cable car sections, lunch, and the afternoon visit to Dujiangyan.