Chengdu to Dujiangyan and Qingcheng: A Complete Transport Guide

If you‘re taking the train from Chengdu to Mount Qingcheng, Dujiangyan is the stop before the mountain. The train pulls in, the doors open, and most travelers stay in their seats — waiting for the next announcement, the next stop.

It‘s the easiest city to skip. And one of the hardest to forget if you don‘t.

Dujiangyan is not a rival to Qingcheng. It‘s not a detour, either. It‘s a different kind of place — not a mountain sanctuary, but a river city with an ancient irrigation system that still flows and an old town that still moves at its own pace.

Because they share the same train line, you can visit both without adding much time to your trip. This guide shows you how.

From Chengdu to Dujiangyan

Dujiangyan is about 60 kilometers northwest of Chengdu. The journey takes 20 to 30 minutes by train, or about an hour by car.

High-speed train (recommended)

This is the fastest and most reliable option.

• Departure station: Xipu Station (Chengdu Metro Line 2 or 6)

• Arrival station: Dujiangyan Station

• Travel time: 20–30 minutes

• Ticket price: Around 10 RMB

Trains run frequently — every 20 to 30 minutes. You don‘t need to book far in advance unless you‘re traveling during a holiday.

By bus

Buses leave from Chadianzi Bus Station in Chengdu.

• Travel time: About 1 hour

• Ticket price: Around 15–20 RMB

Buses are cheaper than trains, but slower and less frequent.

By taxi / ride-hailing

A direct trip from downtown Chengdu to Dujiangyan costs around 150–200 RMB and takes about 1 hour, depending on traffic.

This is the most expensive option, but it‘s door-to-door and works well for groups or families with luggage.

From Dujiangyan to Qingcheng

This is the short leg — just 15 minutes by train, or 30 minutes by car.

High-speed train (recommended)

• Departure station: Dujiangyan Station

• Arrival station: Qingchengshan Station

• Travel time: 10–15 minutes

• Ticket price: Around 5–10 RMB

Trains run regularly throughout the day. This is the easiest way to connect the two destinations.

By taxi / ride-hailing

• Travel time: About 30 minutes

• Cost: Around 40–60 RMB

This is a good option if you have luggage or are traveling in a group. The road is straightforward and well-signposted.

By bus

Public buses run between Dujiangyan and Qingcheng, but they are slower and less frequent. If you have the choice, take the train.

Time is a traveler's best companion

If you have the time, two days is the better choice.

You won‘t feel rushed. You can explore each place at a natural pace, rest between destinations, and experience both cities in better light — morning in the old town, evening by the river, a full day on the mountain.

Here‘s a suggested two-day itinerary:

Day 1: Dujiangyan

Arrive in Dujiangyan in the morning. Explore the irrigation system, walk through Guanxian Ancient Town, and stay for the “Blue Tears“ night bridge. Spend the night in Dujiangyan.

Day 2: Qingcheng

Take the morning train to Qingchengshan Station (15 minutes). Spend a full day on the mountain — Front Mountain in the morning, and if you have energy, Back Mountain in the afternoon. Return to Chengdu in the evening.

A two-day trip allows you to see both Dujiangyan and Qingcheng without rushing. One day is possible, but two days makes it an experience instead of a race.

Chengdu, Dujiangyan, and Qingcheng lie along the same valley, connected by a single train line that runs past the same river and under the same mountains.

One is a modern city. One is an ancient feat of engineering. One is a quiet mountain sanctuary.

They are different, but they belong together. The journey between them is short — a 30-minute train ride — and it gives you a complete picture of this region.

This guide — Chengdu to Dujiangyan and Qingcheng: A Complete Transport Guide — covers everything you need to know to make that journey. Whether you choose one day or two, train or taxi, the route is simple. The connections are easy. And the reward is two very different experiences — built by human hands, shaped by nature — waiting just minutes apart.

One route at a time, MistPanda will help you find your way to the misty mountains — and the city on the river.