Mt. Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System (Chengdu City, Sichuan Province)

A major landmark in the development of water management and technology in ancient China and one of the birthplaces of the Taoist religion.
Located in Sichuan Province, southwest China, this site consists of Mt. Qingcheng, the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, the Dragon Stream (Longxi) and the Iris Port (Hongkou). It was put under state-class protection in 1982.
The Dujiangyan Irrigation System was first built in 256 BC (during the Warring States Period) by magistrate Li Bing. It comprises three major projects―a water-dividing dam, flood-convergence route and water-divergence port. One of the earliest irrigation systems of China and still in use today, it serves to divert waters from the Minjiang River to the West Sichuan Plain. There are many cultural relics in the neighborhood, including the Temple of the Two Kings (Erwangmiao), the Temple of the Hidden Dragon (Fulongguan), the Bridge of Peaceful Waves (Anlanqiao) and the Li Mounds (Lidui).
Mt. Qingcheng was the birthplace of Taoism in China. With over 20 temples and religious sites for Taoism, it exudes a strong flavor of Taoist culture and the buildings demonstrate the Sichuan style of architecture.

Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area (Sichuan Province)

This is an unusual ecosystem, with narrow conic karst landforms, renowned for its rolling mountains, dense forests, colorful lakes, precipitous waterfalls, and a wide variety of birds and animals.
Stretching over 600 sq km in the northern part of Sichuan Province, the jagged peaks around Jiuzhaigou Valley reach heights of more than 4,800 m. In the valley there is a series of diverse forest ecosystems. Its superb landscapes are especially interesting for their narrow conic karst landforms and spectacular waterfalls. Some 140 bird species inhabit the valley, as well as a number of endangered plant and animal species, including the giant panda and the Sichuan takin.

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