Why Zhongwei
Zhongwei is a prefecture-level city situated in the Ningxia region of the People's Republic of China, occupying an area of nearly 17,000 square kilometers. The city sits on the northern banks of the Yellow River and shares its northern border directly with the expanses of the Tengger Desert. In this region, the Yellow River begins the prominent northern bend that forms the Ordos Loop. The local climate and landscape present unique environmental conditions, leading local authorities to combat desertification since the 1950s using grid-like straw checkerboard patterns to halt shifting sand dunes.
Historically, the area was brought under the control of the Qin dynasty by general Meng Tian, who established the Beidi Commandery. A city was constructed at the current urban site around 205 BC, expanding over time alongside the development of regional agricultural irrigation systems. Genghis Khan captured the location in 1226, and it was officially named Zhongwei—meaning middle guard—in 1403 while administered under Shaanxi. A significant highway linking Lanzhou to Zhongwei opened in 1926, following the major Haiyuan earthquake that struck the area in 1920.
Agriculture and modern energy production play central roles in the local economy. Zhongwei is widely recognized for its cultivation of wolfberries and Gobi watermelons. Additionally, the region hosts the Tengger Desert Solar Park, which stands among the world's largest photovoltaic power generation facilities.
For visitors, the primary architectural feature in the central city is the local drum tower. The area's main cultural attraction is Gao Miao, a historical temple complex that traditionally accommodated Confucian, Taoist, and Buddhist worship. Below this temple complex lies an underground bomb shelter constructed during the Cultural Revolution, which has since been transformed into a representation of a Buddhist hell.
Zhongwei is accessible through several major transport routes. The region is served by the Zhongwei Shapotou Airport alongside a comprehensive rail network, including high-speed connections to Lanzhou and lines leading toward Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, and western Gansu. Vehicle access is provided via China National Highway 109 and major roadways such as the G70 Fuzhou–Yinchuan Expressway and the G2012 Dingbian–Wuwei Expressway.
01 Weather
85°
73°
71°
58°
☔ 20%
71°
58°
78°
62°
82°
65°
83°
70°