56 kilometers (34.8miles) west of Chengdu, the Dujiangyan Irrigation Project was built up in 256 B.C. to harness the Min River, a tributary of Yangtze River, which had frequently caused floods in rainy seasons. It was designed to divert the fast-flowing river and re-channel it into irrigation aqueducts. As the engineering designer, Li Bing created a three-part project based around a central dam which split the Min river into an inner flow for irrigation and an outer channel for flood control. Work was continued by Li Bing?s son, and the scheme has been maintained and developed ever since, so that the present system of dams, reservoirs and pumping stations irrigate some 3.2 million hectares. In memory of the great engineer Li Bing and his son, local people built two temples: Fulong Guan and Erwang Miao by the projec

Located in the south of Chengdu, the temple is a famous historical site dedicated to the memory of both Liu Bei (161-223), Emperor of the Kingdom of Shu in the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280), and Zhuge Liang (181-234), Prime Minister of the kingdom.

The title "Wuhou" was granted to Zhuge Liang, a famous military strategist of the Three Kingdoms Period (220-80 A.D.) was fictionalized in one of the classics of Chinese literature, The Tale of the Three Kingdoms. The temple was originally built by Li Xiong of the Western Jin Dynasty (265-316AD), 400 years after Zhuge Liang's death, and rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty with a total area of 37000 square meters.

Located in the western suburbs of Chengdu, Qingyang Palace is the oldest and most extensive Taoist temple in the area. A legend goes that Lao Tzu, the founder of Taoism, asked a friend to meet him there. When the friend arrived he saw only a boy leading two goats on a leash. In a fabulous move of lateral thinking he realized the boy was Lao Tzu. According to this story, a Taoist palace was built there with the two symbolic bronze goats, one of which is believed to be combined with all the Chinese zodiac animals: a mouse's ear, a cow's nose, the paws of a tiger, the back of a rabbit, a dragon's horn, a snake's tail, neck of a monkey, a horse's mouth, a goat's beard, a chicken's eyes, a dog's belly and a pig's thigh. Therefore, some people think that it has some supernatural powers and anyone who touched it could get away from illness and mischance.

Founded in Tang Dynasty (618-907A.D.), it is the largest and best-preserved Buddhist temple in Chengdu. Originally known as Xinxiang Temple, it was renamed after a Buddhist monk who lived there in the late 17th century. It is believed that his presence literally illuminated the monastery. Many of the buildings in the complex includingTianwang Dian, Sandashi Dian, Daxiong Baodian, Shuofa Tang, and Cangjing Lou are decorated with exquisite relief carvings.

Du Fu Cottage

Located at the side of the Flower Washing Brook in the western suburbs of Chengdu, the cottage is the former residence of the famous Tang Dynasty poet, Du Fu. In the year 759 A.D., at the age of 47, compelled by poverty and social upheaval, he moved from Gansu to the outskirts of Chengdu and built a thatched hut. During his stay of nearly four years, he composed more than 240 of 1400 surviving poems reflecting upon the misery of the people.

Within the building, from front to back, are the poetic history halls, thatched entrance, Gongbuci Temple, and Shaoling Stone Monument. There are exhibits that provide details of Du Fu"s life and work. In addition, statues, stone carvings, paintings, and calligraphies by famous writers of different dynasties are also on display. However, the only thing resembling a cottage is a small model. Springtime in the park is a wonderful experience because of the beautiful mixture of flowers and traditional Chinese architecture.

Situated on the Axe Hill 10 kilometers north of Chengdu this 600-acre research station and breeding ground has been in operation since in 1987, opened to the public in early in 1995. 39 pandas as well as other endangered species like lesser pandas and black-necked crane currently reside at the base in quarters. There is also a semi-wild breeding area where China?s animal ambassadors will be eventually be allowed to freely roam. A museum has detailed exhibits on panda evolution, habits, habitats and conservation efforts.

It is the most ideal ecological tourism place for visitors all around world to get to know the appearance of giant pandas and to get around the wild nature. It was awarded "Global 500" twice by the UN in the year of 1989 and 1994.

Some 65 kilometers from Chengdu, the mountain is luxuriantly covered by green trees, hence its name meaning Green City Mountain since Tang Dynasty. There are 36 peaks, Laoxiaoding (the highest peak) being 1,600 meters above sea level. There are many scenic spots. The area is famous because the Taoist master, Zhang Daoling, once held Taoist activities on the mountain. Many buildings that have been used for Taoist activities are well preserved.