Every year during the Qingming Festival, the city of Dujiangyan welcomes the annual Qingming Water-Releasing Festival, a grand tourism event that dates back to 978 AD, in honor of Li Bing and his son who led the construction of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, benefiting the Chengdu Plain. This year marks the 2270th anniversary of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, and China's Dujiangyan Qingming Water-Releasing Festival will be held from April 5 to 7 at the Source of the Land of Abundance, Dujiangyan. It is reported that this year’s event will break from previous formats, offering more opportunities for visitors to experience and explore.
2270th Anniversary of the Irrigation System’s Construction
Inviting Visitors to Experience the Water-Releasing Ceremony
In ancient times, every winter, people would build weirs with wooden tripods to divert the Min River either into the Inner River or the Outer River, then dredge the riverbeds and reinforce the embankments separately — this was known as annual maintenance. By the time of Qingming, a grand and lively ceremony would be held to worship Li Bing and his son, praying for abundant harvests and peace across the land. Then, the wooden tripods were removed, allowing the surging Min River water to flow directly into the Inner River, irrigating the vast farmland of the Chengdu Plain.
The Dujiangyan Qingming Water-Releasing Festival originates from 4000-year-old river god worship and over 2000 years of river water ceremonies. This year marks the 2270th anniversary of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System. In addition to continuing traditional customs, this edition of the festival will break the past limitation where visitors rarely had the chance to witness the Water-Releasing Ceremony live. For the first time, it will offer more viewing opportunities, allowing more people to experience the grand spectacle of water worship, deity veneration, and tripod removal to release the waters.
Visitors attending the opening ceremony of the Water-Releasing Festival will also be able to enjoy traditional cultural activities such as “Li Bing’s River Patrol,” the ancient city gate-opening ceremony, and antique-style parades. Beyond that, in Dujiangyan, you can visit the Qingcheng Mountain–Dujiangyan Tourist Area, a UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage Site, to experience the ingenuity of Dujiangyan and the serenity of Qingcheng Mountain. Play with the Giant Pandas, the national treasures, in their habitat; explore the natural mysteries of the Longchi-Hongkou National Nature Reserve; and savor Western Sichuan snacks and experience local folk culture in the Ancient Guanxian City, all catering to different needs for leisure, vacation, and historical exploration.
A Millennium-Old Tradition
The Water Worship Ceremony Will Return
Worshiping Heaven, Li Bing, and all things… The millennium-old cultural ceremony of the Water-Releasing Festival — the Water Worship Ceremony — will return to Dujiangyan on April 5. “Chop the tripods, release the water Up!” Amidst the crisp sound of horse hooves and stirring chants, visitors will witness firsthand the powerful scene of Min River water rushing down from the mountains.
This year’s Water Worship Ceremony is also the largest, longest, and most content-rich edition in the festival’s history. The opening ceremony, themed around “Water,” is divided into four major chapters: “Shu Mountains and Min Waters,” “The Highest Good is Like Water,” “When Drinking Water, Remember Its Source,” and “Water Gives Life to All Things,” expressing Dujiangyan’s gratitude — “Thank Heaven, Thank Earth, Thank People” — centered around the spirit of water.
During the water worship, deity veneration, and water-releasing segments, everything will be conducted strictly according to ancient rituals passed down for millennia. At that time, accompanied by deep horn sounds echoing through the hills, countless ceremonial drums will resound across mountains and rivers. To the rhythm of music, the chief officiant will lead ritual participants carrying offerings of livestock (oxen, sheep, and horses), grains, and fresh fruits to the banks of Dujiangyan, performing three kneels and nine kowtows, reading the sacrificial text, presenting offerings, and dancing with Nuo masks...
Notably, at this year’s Water-Releasing Ceremony, Liu Suibin, the head of the Qingcheng Sect, will lead disciple and Miss International Maria in performing “Qingcheng Tai Chi” at the center of the stage. Twenty guqin players will perform elegantly on stage, joined by tai chi dance performers dressed in black and white Taoist robes on both sides of the stage, eventually forming the Tai Chi symbol of Yin and Yang.
The performance “Hundred Flowers in Full Bloom” by the Sichuan Song and Dance Ensemble, shown during last year’s Spring Festival Gala, will also appear at the Water-Releasing Ceremony. While CCTV used a Peking Opera musical score, the ceremony will feature the original Sichuan Opera version to offer an authentic taste of Sichuan, with long-flowing sleeves embodying the fluidity and charm of water. In addition to performances by dozens of core dancers from the provincial ensemble at the center stage, about a hundred local Dujiangyan actors will join in peripheral performances, culminating in a grand “blooming of a hundred flowers” at the show’s finale.
Strictly Replicated from Antiquity.
Recreating “Li Bing’s River Patrol”
During the event, Dujiangyan will hold an antique-style city gate opening ceremony and Li Bing’s River Patrol. At the command of “Governor Li Bing of Shu,” a team of “guards” clad in “Qin Kingdom” battle attire will open the city gates, and a welcoming officer will present silk ribbons to the first visitors entering the city.
Before and after the Water-Releasing Ceremony, Dujiangyan will also hold “Li Bing’s River Patrol” in accordance with ancient protocols. “Li Bing,” dressed in Qin Dynasty official attire, will lead a procession of officials, departing from the scenic area’s south gate, crossing the Diamond Dam, walking across the Anlan Suspension Bridge, patrolling upstream along the river, or directly entering the ancient city area to interact with visitors via the parade. Organizers explained that the antique parade will strictly follow the “River Patrol Process” recorded in historical texts, ensuring complete authenticity.
During the festival, the organizing committee has set up exclusive cultural events tailored to different visitor groups — including children, youth, and seniors — such as the “Spring Rhymes of the Ancient Weir” performance and the “Sounds of Sichuan” series of mini-shows. Each offers unique experiences sure to delight visitors.
Cities Along the Yangtze River
Tai Chi “Pandas” Go Flash Mobbing
Last year, in places like Chengdu’s Chunxi Road, Tianfu Square, and subway stations, “pandas” doing tai chi suddenly appeared in flash mobs — many locals witnessed it. This year, to promote the Qingming Water-Releasing Festival, the tai chi panda flash mob will go beyond Sichuan, spreading the friendly and adorable image of Dujiangyan’s tai chi pandas to more people.
The waters of Dujiangyan nourish the Chengdu Plain and flow as tributaries into the Yangtze River. Before the festival begins, these “pandas” from Dujiangyan will appear in key cities along the Yangtze — Chongqing, Wuhan, and Shanghai — in bustling areas, inviting locals through flash mobs: “This spring, come to Dujiangyan for some deep breaths.” Additionally, multiple tai chi “panda” flash mobs will continue in Chengdu.
According to the organizing committee, Taoist culture and panda culture have always been distinctive features of Dujiangyan. The performance of pandas doing tai chi and engaging in flash mobs organically combines elements of giant pandas and Taoist culture to capture attention and invite everyone to attend the annual Water-Releasing Festival in Dujiangyan this Qingming, joining in the celebration.
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History of the Water-Releasing Festival
Historical records indicate that the Water-Releasing Festival was officially established in 978 AD, with a history of over 1000 years. In 2006, it was listed among the first batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage items. Currently, Dujiangyan is actively applying to include the festival in the “UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.”
In ancient times, every winter, people would build temporary weirs with wooden tripods to divert the Min River either into the Inner River or the Outer River, then dredge the riverbeds and reinforce the embankments separately — this was known as annual maintenance. When the maintenance ended during Qingming, a grand and lively ceremony would be held before the wooden tripods were removed, allowing the surging Min River water to flow directly into the Inner River, irrigating the fertile lands of the Chengdu Plain. Later, the water-releasing ceremony evolved into a widely participated cultural tradition by people in the irrigation area, used to worship Li Bing and his son, pray for good harvests and peace, and also marked the beginning of spring plowing each year.
Rich Folk Activities During the Water-Releasing Festival
The Water Releasing Festival coincides with the three-day Qingming holiday. This year, Dujiangyan has also prepared a variety of folk activities, with diverse tourism and cultural events available for visitors to enjoy from April 1st to April 7th.
1. Folk Market — April 3rd to April 8th, Minzhu Neighborhood Flower and Bird Market
2. “Third Month Third” Tea Picking Festival — April 2nd, Zhongxing Town
3. “Bailun” Flower Exhibition — April 1st to April 7th, Bailun Plaza
4. Promoting the Artistic Spirit of Dong Shouping and Zhang Daqian — Contemporary Artists’ Dual-City Exhibition — April 3rd to April 10th, Confucius Temple Park
5. “Remembering the Source of Water · Gratitude to Dujiangyan” Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition — March 28th to April 7th, Jinjiang Calligraphy and Painting Academy in Dujiangyan Scenic Area