Ten-Mile Long Gorge

　　Guide | As the saying goes, “The Yellow River enriches Ningxia.” The Yellow River originates from the Bayan Har Mountains in Qinghai, surging thousands of miles with winding curves before flowing through Qingtong Gorge. The Qingtongxia Hydropower Station, construction of which began in 1958, generates an annual output of 890 million kilowatts of electricity. This hydropower project provides irrigation and power supply for the fertile and historic Qingtong Ancient Gorge. The scenic stretch of about ten li upstream from the river-blocking dam is called the Ten-Mile Long Gorge. Introduction | Traveling upstream by boat, you’ll encounter rapid currents. As the boat cuts through the water, it plows the surface like a plowshare turning earth

　　    A bit further along, the verdant Helan Mountains rise in the west, their peaks dark as if brushed with ink. From top to bottom and from right to left, layers of rock jut out diagonally, resembling roof tiles — these are stratified rocks formed over tens of thousands of years. The stratified rock formations bear witness to the age and grandeur of the Helan Mountains. Further upstream, you’ll see what looks like a massive nose, mouth, and a round, belly-up stomach — unmistakably the reclining figure of a sleeping Buddha. The Sleeping Buddha lies with its head to the north and back to the south, exuding a transcendent, carefree, and serene aura.

　　    On the riverbanks of the east shore, trees stand thick and lush, with wisps of cooking smoke rising and the sounds of chickens crowing and dogs barking. This area is known as the “Land of Peach Blossoms beyond the mundane world in Qingtong Gorge.” Though there are not many residents, those who farm here enjoy abundant crops and a prosperous scene, as if cut off from the rest of the world, offering a sense of otherworldly serenity akin to “picking chrysanthemums beneath the eastern hedge, and gazing leisurely at the southern mountain.”

　　    The experience of visiting the Ten-Mile Gorge differs greatly between morning and evening. In the morning, a slight chill in the cool air refreshes the spirit, evoking a sense of clarity and freshness. In the evening, the charm is more profound, with sunset glow casting shimmering reflections on the water’s surface, and egrets flying joyfully across the sky.

　　 Ningxia’s Wuzhong City