“Has anyone ever heard of a town named after a goat?” our guide asks, a playful glint in their eye. We stand at the edge of Shiyang Town, the name indeed a unique one. Shiyang, nestled near Dujiangyan City, boasts a history intertwined with the very lifeblood of the Chengdu Plain: the Dujiangyan Irrigation System. The town’s name, meaning “stone goat”, is a local curiosity, perhaps linked to the rocky terrain or maybe a whimsical tale we’ve yet to uncover. Shiyang, once known as Liujie Town until December 2019, absorbed its neighboring villages, their histories now woven into Shiyang’s own. As we venture further into Shiyang, the presence of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System is undeniable. This marvel of ancient engineering, built over 2,000 years ago by Li Bing and his son, nourishes the entire Chengdu Plain. The ingenuity of this system, diverting water without a dam, filtering sand while controlling flow, protected Chengdu and its surrounding areas from devastating floods and droughts. Shiyang, a beneficiary of this ancient wisdom, has flourished alongside the rest of the “Land of Abundance”. This proximity to Dujiangyan has shaped Shiyang’s identity, its fortunes tied to the ebb and flow of the life-giving waters. Shiyang also finds itself at the foot of Mount Qingcheng, a significant site for Taoism in China. The mountain, with its cool climate and lush greenery, emanates a sense of tranquility, a stark contrast to the bustling city of Chengdu just a short distance away. Perhaps the residents of Shiyang find solace and inspiration in the nearby mountain, connecting them to a spiritual heritage stretching back centuries. Shiyang, though small, offers a window into the rich tapestry of Chengdu’s history. From its intriguing name to its connection to the Dujiangyan Irrigation System and its proximity to Mount Qingcheng, Shiyang is a reminder of the delicate balance between nature, human ingenuity, and cultural heritage. As we leave Shiyang, the question of the stone goat lingers, a charming riddle adding a touch of magic to our journey.
Shiyang
Discover cities like never before.
Enjoy over self-guided city exploration with our app ‘Explory’. Learn all about the history and discover hidden more than 500.000 hidden gems, that only locals know about. Build custom tours, find nearby places, and start exploring instantly.
Exploring Shiyang in Chengdu is just the beginning. With Explory’s Chengdu guide, every walk becomes a discovery. The intuitive Chengdu city guide links stories with locations, turning your visit into a personalized Chengdu city tour that brings the city closer to you.
Explory helps you see Chengdu differently. The Chengdu guide introduces you to culture, history, and hidden details. Using the Chengdu audio guide, you can listen to stories that bring the atmosphere alive. Beyond the highlights, Explory points you to Chengdu hidden gems that reveal the city’s true character.
With the Chengdu city guide, you enjoy freedom and insights combined. Each curated Chengdu city tour is designed for authentic Chengdu exploration, allowing you to connect with the city on a deeper level. By emphasizing Chengdu hidden gems and immersive Chengdu exploration, Explory ensures your experience is unique.
Download the Explory App now and explore more than 300 cities and 500,000 POIs and stories worldwide. Whether you’re searching for a reliable Chengdu guide, an inspiring Chengdu audio guide, or a flexible Chengdu city tour, Explory gives you the perfect way to travel.