Shizuishan Travel Guide

Chinese Name: 石嘴山 (shí zuǐ shān)
Population: 803,000
Area: 5,310 square kilometers (2,050 square miles)
Location: in the north of Ningxia Province, northwest China
Administrative Division: 2 districts (Dawukou, Huinong); 1 county (Pingluo)
Area Code: 0952
Zip Code: 753000
GDP (2018): CNY 60.592 billion (USD 9.157 billion)
Nationalities: Han, Hui, Manchu, Mongolian, Zhuang, Tu
 

Situated in northern Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Shizuishan City neighbors Yinchuan to the south and Inner Mongolia to the north with the Yellow River flowing along its east side. Located between the national coal fields of Ningdong and Mengxi, Shizuishan produces high-quality anthracite, gaining the name of “western coal city”. Shizuishan not only has vast deserts but also boasts green natural landscapes composed of lakes and mountains. The Shahu Scenic Resort featuring rippling lakes and endless deserts and Helan Mountain with a large scale of rock paintings are two highlights.

Located around 56 kilometers (35 miles) north of Yinchuan, the scenic area is a famous attraction combining South China water towns and desert landscape. The Sand Lake is a paradise of birds and fish. 

From early times, it is where ancient northern minorities lived, multiplied and worked. They have chiseled the scenes of their living and production on rocks in Helan Mountain, which reproduces their social customs and life interests. Along the 124 miles long Helan Mountain interior place, covering over ten hill mouths ranging from north to south, there are over 20 groups of rock paintings which embrace over 10,000 paintings. They are said to be the masterpieces of Qiangrong, Xianbei, Xiongnu, Yuezhi and other minority groups who created them during Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC-476 BC) to West Xia Dynasty (1038-1227).

Located in the county town of Pingluo, this historical relic, built in the Ming Dynasty, (1368-1644) is the largest Taoist site in Ningxia. During the fourth and fifth lunar months, an annual grand temple fair is held. 

Lying at the east foot of the Helan Mountains, this ecological tourist zone is made up of a forest park, the building complex of Beiwudang Temple, a geopark, valley and ancient tree fossils. 

Shizuishan is 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Xining, and 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the Yinchuan Hedong Airport. From the Dawukou Bus Station, there are many buses departing to Yinchuan every few minutes. In addition, buses to the Yinchuan Hedong Airport are also available here. Buses from Dawukou to the Sand Lake depart every an hour.

Enjoying a temperate continental climate, Shizuishan is rich in sunshine. Summer is hot and short, while the winter is chilly and long. The Shizuishan weather is relatively dry all the year round, and the temperature varies greatly between day and night. September to October are best time to tour around.

 History: In the distant past, the ancients in this area used to live by hunting but then developed a wonderful pastoral civilization. In the Qin Dynasty (221BC-206BC), towns began to appear. The city was formerly called Shizuizi, and Shizuishan was named from the rocks where the Helan Mountains meets the Yellow River in the territory because they are in the shapes of projecting mouths.

 Physical Features: Lying on the east of the Helan Mountains, the city is in the middle reaches of the Yellow River. It neighbors the Ordos Terrace in the east and Yinchuan Plain in the west. Therefore, mountain area, alluvial plain and terrace constitute the main landforms of the city.

 Special Local Products: medlar, licorice root, Helan stone, lamb skin