Name: Zhongwei

Chinese Name: 中卫

Province: Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region

Status: Prefecture-level city

Population: 1,140,000 inhabitants

Area: 16,986 km²

Bordered by four major Chinese provinces—Gansu Province to the west, Inner Mongolia to the north, Wuzhong to the east, and Guyuan to the south—Zhongwei occupies a strategically important location for trade and tourism in northwestern Chine.

With rich cultural heritage stemming from its location and natural patrimony numbering in the thousands, Zhongwei has quickly become an icon of northern Chine and the Ningxia Autonomous Region.

History

According to historical records dating back over 30,000 years, Zhongwei was originally a settlement of colonists.

To better govern the region, the Qin Dynasty established, before 206 BCE, a vast county in this village.

The earliest inhabitants of northwestern Chine, Zhongwei's residents were ethnic minorities known as the Qiang and Rong peoples.

Today

Zhongwei's geographical position relative to other major Chinese cities and the passage of the Yellow River through its northern section propels it to the forefront of the economic, cultural, demographic, and ideological landscape of northern Chine.

With a highly diverse population dominated by the Hui ethnic group at 35%, Zhongwei is home to numerous ethnic minorities including the Han, Hui, Zhuang, Miao, Yao, Manchu, Korean, and Tibetan peoples. As a result, it has become a cradle of different religious cultures representing Taoism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam.

Cultural landscapes interwoven with natural scenery comprising mountains, hills, deserts, plains, and basins distinguish Zhongwei from other Chinese cities. It offers you an unlimited tourism resource, rich in surprises and culture. Indeed, Zhongwei is among the ten most beautiful tourist destinations and one of the 500 best-preserved environments in the world.

Zhongwei presents a unique gastronomic destination in Chine. Thanks to the passage of the Yellow River through this city, the quality of food products will leave you speechless. With local restaurateurs' mastery of cooking techniques, the dishes you taste during your culinary explorations will remain etched in your memory forever.

The Zhongwei dialect, one of the city's most striking cultural peculiarities, differs significantly from the dialects of neighboring provinces including Shaanxi, Gansu, and even the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Climate

Located near the desert at altitudes ranging from 2,955 to 1,100 meters, Zhongwei enjoys a generally continental and arid climate. Three distinctly marked seasons—a cold and dry spring, a short hot and arid summer, and a long freezing winter—define this climatic variation.

Due to its geographical position, Zhongwei has served as a transport junction throughout northwestern Chine. It has consequently developed a robust network of road, air, and rail transportation connecting Beijing, Shanghai, Xining, Xi'an, and other major Chinese cities.

Air

Located 9 km from the city, Zhongwei Shapotou Airport, inaugurated in December 2008, is the nearest airport to Zhongwei. It serves several important cities in Chine and the Ningxia region.

Train

The Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, with its extensive railway network, allows Zhongwei to be connected by multiple railway lines. Consequently, numerous trains heading to Beijing, Shanghai, Xining, Hohhot, and Xi'an serve Zhongwei Railway Station.

Bus

During your tours in Chine, you cannot miss Zhongwei, which is often considered a crossroads of national highways. At the intersection of National Roads G25, G35, G45, and 109, as well as the Yining-Zongjing expressway, Zhongwei Coach Station offers express bus services departing every 50 minutes.

Well-developed public bus lines in Zhongwei depart every 25 minutes, taking you throughout the city.

Zhongwei Coach Station is located near tourist attractions, allowing visitors to reach their destinations on foot.

For getting around the city, you can also take a taxi, which will take you anywhere in the city; fares depend solely on your destination.

For excursions into the deserts, you can join vehicle or camel treks organized every two days.

What to Do in Zhongwei?

• Venture into the Shapotou Desert to discover sand dunes at sunset and enjoy the desert amusement park.
• Marvel at the ingenuity and beauty of Gaomiao Temple's architecture while enjoying the freshness and serenity of its natural surroundings.
• Escape the hustle and bustle of the city for an exceptionally attractive atmosphere by visiting Tonghu Prairie.
• Embark on a hiking adventure in the Tengger Desert and discover another facet of desert landscapes.