Yinchuan Zhongshan Park

　　    The largest scenic area in downtown Yinchuan. Located in the northwest corner of the urban area. According to historical records, this site was originally the ruins of the Yuan Wu Palace of the Western Xia Dynasty, where the Yuan Wu Palace at that time “stretched for miles, with pavilions, terraces, towers, and ponds all in their utmost splendor,” making it the largest structure in Xingqing Prefecture, the capital of the Western Xia. It was later destroyed in war. During the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty, this place served as military barracks for the garrison, commonly known as ‘Xi-’. In 1929, Feng Yuxiang’s department, Zhi Zhong, built a park here and officially named it “Zhongshan Park.” After 1949, through more than 30 years of careful planning and construction, the park expanded to cover an area of 780 mu, adding over 20 scenic spots and recreational areas such as the “Martyrs’ Memorial Pavilion,” “Shuofang Pavilion,” “Boat Dock,” “Jade Belt Bridge,” “Youth Science and Technology Station,” “Children’s Activity Area,” and the zoo. The park is shaded by dense trees, with pavilions scattered throughout, attracting a large number of visitors daily.

　　    After years of construction and renovation, it has become the city's largest comprehensive park with multiple functions. It now has over 20,000 various plants, including 101 notable and protected trees, with a green coverage rate of 79.41%. The zoo within the park covers 90 mu and houses over 500 wild animals.

　　    The famous ancient relic “Wenchang Pavilion” is located on the north shore of Silver Lake. Built during the Qing Dynasty, it is majestic and serves as the main landmark of the park. The bronze bell inside the Bell Pavilion was obtained from an abandoned Western Xia temple during the Chenghua reign of the Ming Dynasty, recast in 1465. The bell stands seven feet tall, with a circumference of nine feet, and weighs over 7,000 jin. It has a uniquely shaped design. Legend has it that the bronze bell would ring by itself on quiet nights. During the Tongzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty, someone tried to melt it down to make cannons but failed, and even when pulled by eight oxen, it wouldn’t budge.

　　    Modern garden architecture mainly includes three lakes, one pavilion, nine kiosks, five bridges, and others. Especially in the past 20 years, the park has developed rapidly, with significant changes in green spaces, flowers, animals, garden architecture, and recreational services. It now features high-standard scenic recreation areas, children’s activity zones, flower viewing areas, animal exhibition zones, as well as tranquil rest areas for visitors. Notably, the newly built Cultural Square, Water Park, and the main southern entrance, secondary western entrance, and northern entrance gates feature novel designs and beautiful shapes, effectively showcasing the beauty of modern gardens. This has given Zhongshan Park a fresh charm, making it a “Pearl of the Frontier” in Ningxia and a showcase of Yinchuan’s civilization.

　　    Zhongshan Park is not only a scenic attraction in Yinchuan and a central hub for public recreation, but also the best venue for large-scale celebrations in Ningxia. Since the founding of New China, numerous celebratory events have been held in Zhongshan Park. Major leaders of the Party and the state, including Lin Boqu, -, -, and -, have inspected Zhongshan Park. Many international friends have also planted friendship trees in the park.

　　    Address: No. 203, Hubin West Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan

　　    Type: Urban Park

　　    Recommended Visit Duration: 1–2 hours

　　    Phone: 0951-5032427

　　    Opening Hours:

　　    6:30–20:00; Zoo: 8:00–19:30

　　    Ticket Information:

　　    Free admission. The zoo and other attractions are charged separately.

　　Sun Yat-sen (1866～1925)　　    Sun Yat-sen (1866–1925), born Sun Wen, styled Zaizhi, also known as Rixin and Yixian, with the childhood name Dixiang and alias Zhongshanqiao, often used the name Zhongshan. He was born into a farming family in Cuiheng Village, Xiangshan County (now Zhongshan City), Guangdong Province. Influenced by the revolutionary traditions of the people of Guangdong during his youth, he admired the revolutionary cause of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. He was a pioneer of China’s modern nationalist-democratic revolution, a great forerunner of China’s democratic revolution, a founder of the Republic of China and the Kuomintang, an advocate of the -, and the creator of the “Five-Power Constitution.” He was the first to raise the banner of complete anti-feudalism, “inaugurating a republic and ending two thousand years of feudal imperial rule.” 19...... Details+