南橋

The South Bridge is a covered corridor bridge, known in Chinese as a langqiao, that spans the river flowing out of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System at the eastern edge of the scenic area. It is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Dujiangyan city, both for its architecture and for the lively riverside scene that has grown up around it. For travelers emerging from a visit to the Irrigation System, or simply exploring the old quarter of the city in the evening, the bridge is the natural gathering point and one of the most atmospheric spots in town.

The current bridge is a reconstruction in the traditional style, with a sweeping tiled roof, painted wooden ceilings, and gilded carvings on the beams and eaves. The ceiling of the corridor is decorated with colorful folk paintings, and the whole structure has the warm, crafted feel of late Qing and Republican-era Sichuan architecture. Walking across the bridge is part of the experience: the roar of the irrigation channel below, the painted ceiling overhead, and the constant flow of locals and visitors passing between the old city and the scenic area entrance.

The bridge is most beautiful at night, when it is lit up against the dark and the river reflects the colored lights back onto the stone banks. A busy food street runs along the riverside nearby, where visitors can sample local snacks and Sichuan street food, and on a warm evening the stretch of promenade along the water becomes one of the most pleasant places in the city to sit, eat, and watch the crowd. Summer evenings are particularly lively, with a mix of tourists and local residents out for the cool air.

The South Bridge sits at the boundary between the Dujiangyan Irrigation System and the Guanxian Ancient City area, and most visitors pass across it several times during a stay in Dujiangyan without ever needing to make a separate trip. It is also a short walk from Lidui Park and the main entrance to the Irrigation System, which makes it easy to fold into a walking route through the old city. The bridge is open at all hours, making it an effortless addition to any evening in the city.