Introduction: Take a speedboat from Shapotou across the Yellow River to reach the "Q"-shaped island on the opposite bank. Cross Dawan Village and head south along the winding path. Climb up a small hilltop with a pavilion, and look westward—you’ll see, about 500 meters away, a cluster of reddish-brown hills that stand in stark contrast to the surrounding sand dunes and grayish-brown mountains. …
Introduction: The terrain is complex, mostly consisting of chained crescent-shaped sand dunes. Along the edge of the desert is a series of sand ridges running northeast to southwest, with a raised central section that resembles a fish’s spine. Some dunes also form a grid-like pattern, known as grid-type crescent dunes. Standing atop a high dune, one can see numerous interconnected dunes undulating like ocean waves. Their golden hue...
On the south gate of the drum tower in the city center of Zhongwei, there is a plaque inscribed with “Facing Xiangyan.” It refers to Xiangshan Mountain, located in the southern part of Zhongwei. During the Ming Dynasty, the Xiangshan area was part of the fiefdom of Prince Qing, the 16th son of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang. By the Qing Dynasty, it had been incorporated into the jurisdiction of Zhongwei County. The Xiangshan range features undulating peaks that stretch continuously, with the main peak rising 2,361 meters above sea level. Its towering presence soars into the sky, rising abruptly from...
Introduction The 55-kilometer stretch west of Yingshuiqiao Town in Zhongwei City lies on the southeastern edge of the vast Tengger Desert. Along this route, towering mobile sand dunes rise several meters to dozens of meters high. Standing atop these high dunes, you can see trains speeding by like iron dragons surging through the golden sea of sand, battling the wind and forging bravely ahead...
Introduction: A herder settlement deep in the desert, also an oasis with lush water and grass, and towering ancient trees. The apples and small duck pears here are of exceptionally high quality, rich in juice, leaving a refreshing fragrance in the mouth after eating. There is a clear spring here whose water level fluctuates with people’s singing and applause. CCTV’s science program "Approaching Science" once investigated this…
Introduction: A series of intermittent rocky hills deep in the desert, ranging from tens to hundreds of meters in height, resembling the shape of a camel—hence the name. The cliffs feature ancient rock paintings, which share the same origin as those found in the Yin Mountains of Inner Mongolia and the Helan Mountains of Ningxia. These are masterpieces of ancient nomadic peoples, with images predominantly depicting horses, cattle, sheep, and human heads.
Introduction Also known as South Alkali Flat Gate, this place is called so because it lies to the south of Tengger Sumu under the jurisdiction of Alxa Left Banner. With sparse vegetation and widespread alkali deposits, a major road leads directly to Tonghu Grassland and the forest farm. It is the intersection of the Ying (Shui) Yan (Dilatu) Highway and the Ying Shui to Tonghu Nitrate Factory Road. · Ningxia Zhongwei…
Introduction The Charcoal Mountain Night Glow refers to the natural phenomenon of open-air coal spontaneous combustion in Yan Dong Gou, Shang He Yan, in the urban area of Zhongwei. Also known as Little Cave Mountain, Charcoal Mountain is located in Chang Le Town on the southern bank of the Yellow River in Zhongwei. Beneath its ridges lies bituminous coal, which has been burning continuously for years due to factors such as earthquake fissures, small-scale mining, and sun exposure. By day, the mountain is shrouded in smoke, and passersby feel as if they are walking through clouds...
Introduction In the middle of the Yellow River near Daliushu in Zhongwei city, there is a prominent river rock jutting out of the water. The top stone is round, resembling a human head, and beneath it extends another stone that looks like an outstretched arm. From a distance, it vividly appears as if someone is standing in the river, waving. Legend has it that during the late Qing Dynasty, a Western missionary...
Introduction Located between Shuishui and Camel Mountain. Though situated in the heart of the desert, the groundwater level is very high—just one meter down you’ll find water. It has long served as a watering spot for herders and their livestock, and also as a fun place for tourists to dig for water in the sand.
• An oasis in the Tengger Desert, perfect for vacationing, leisure, and flower appreciation. Attraction introduction: The "Tengger Desert Wetland · Golden Sand Island" scenic area, located about 8 kilometers from downtown Zhongwei, is an oasis in the desert. Here, shaded by lush trees and abundant wetland vegetation, numerous rare...
The Zhaobishan Copper Mine Site is located among the peaks of Zhaobishan Mountain, north of Zhiluo Town in Zhongwei City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. According to research, this site is the oldest copper mine in northwestern China. The ancient copper mines on Zhaobishan may have been exploited as early as the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, with large-scale mining and smelting operations already established during the Western Han Dynasty. Mining and smelting continued during the Western Xia and...
The Caiyuan Site is located in Zhongwei City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. It is one of the most typical Neolithic sites. Large-scale excavations began in 1987 and lasted for four years. The site complex includes three settlement sites—Mayingzi Liang, Shigou, and Linziliang—and five burial grounds—Qiedaoba, Zhaiziliang, Erlingziwan, Wanguanzui, and the western slope of Linziliang, dating…
Singing Sand Dunes — one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Zhongwei. Located to the west of Zhongwei city, just past Yingshui Bridge, you drive into the vast expanse of the Tengger Desert; atop the oasis rise massive dunes nearly 100 meters high, stretching all the way to the left bank of the Yellow River. In the middle of the 2,000-meter-long sand ridge lies the steepest and most perilous slope. This is a natural wonder, the “Singing Sand” — the “Singing Sand Dunes” of Mingsha Mountain.
The drum tower is located right in the center of Zhongwei’s urban area. In the early Qing Dynasty, it was called the Wenchang Pavilion and was first built in the fourth year of the Ming Chongzhen era (1631). On July 14th of the 22nd year of the Qing Jiaqing era (1817), during a temple fair, a fire accidentally broke out and destroyed the structure, leaving only the foundation. In the 11th year of the Daoguang era (1831), Magistrate Ai Chunnian, along with County Clerk Shen Yuan and local gentry, pooled funds to rebuild the tower…
In the urban area of Zhongwei City, there is one of the oldest irrigation canals called the "Meili Canal." Its principle of drawing water involves building a dam in the middle of the river to divert water, hence it is known as the "Dujiangyan of Ningxia." As the river water crashes against the 10-li-long diversion embankment, splashes of waves resemble flying white clouds. From a distance, it looks like a white horse galloping through the...
The Xiayaxian Tile Kiln Site is located in Dawan, Changle Town, urban area of Zhongwei City, dating back to the Western Xia to Yuan dynasties. On September 15, 2005, it was designated as part of the third batch of Autonomous Region-level Cultural Heritage Protection Units. …
Sijianjing Ancient City Site is located in Sijianjing Village, Luojian Village, Changle Town, Shapotou District. On July 31, 2019, it was designated as a Cultural Relics Protection Unit under the fifth batch of the autonomous region. Protected area: extending 20 meters outward from the outer edge of the moats surrounding the site on all four sides.…
The Damaidi Rock Carvings are located in Zhongwei City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The rock art belt spans an area of approximately 450 square kilometers, preserving over 10,000 prehistoric rock carvings. Within a 6-square-kilometer primitive environment, there are 8,532 individual rock art images, averaging 1,422 images per square kilometer—exceeding the internationally recognized...
As the first city on the Yellow River to achieve gravity-fed irrigation, Zhongwei occupies a unique geographical position that should carry forward and interpret the legacy of great river civilizations. This planning initiative leverages the concept of the “Dance of the Great River” to highlight the distinctive essence of the Yellow River civilization—one of the cradles of world civilization. By integrating the landscape and urban functions of the Yellow River with humanity’s innate affinity for water, and through…