We　focus　here　on　the　rupture　directivity　effect　on　the　spatial　distribution　and　attenuation　characteristics　of　near-field　ground　motions　during　the　2008　MW　7.9　Wenchuan　earthquake.　We　examine　the　difference　between　the　observed　ground　motions　in　and　opposite　the　rupture　directions　and　compare　them　with　Next　Generation　Attenuation-West2　(NGA-West2)　ground　motion　prediction　models.　The　isochrone　directivity　predictor　is　used　to　quantify　the　band-limited　nature　of　the　rupture　directivity　effect　on　strong　ground　motion.　Our　results　show　that　the　observed　peak　ground　velocity　(PGV)　and　spectral　accelerations　of　periods　of　1.0　s　and　longer　are　significantly　amplified　in　the　rupture　direction,　but　de-amplified　in　the　opposite　direction　affected　by　rupture　directivity　effect　of　this　event.　In　contrast,　the　effect　of　rupture　directivity　on　the　observed　peak　ground　acceleration　(PGA)　and　periods　of　shorter　than　1.0　s　are　relatively　weak.　The　rupture　directivity　of　this　event　shows　clear　period　dependent　and　band　limited　characteristics　with　the　strongest　effect　occurring　around　the　period　of　7.5　s.　©　The　Seismological　Society　of　China　and　Institute　of　Geophysics,　China　Earthquake　Administration　2021.