Location: Wuzhong is situated in the center
of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region,
neighboring Yinchuan in the north. It is bordered by Shaanxi in
the east and also shares boundaries with Inner Mongolia and Gansu.
History: Human relics left thirty thousand years
ago are discovered in this area. In remote times, pastoral-nomad
tribes inhabited there and it was during the Qin Dynasty (221BC-206BC)
that the court started water project to help field irrigation.
By the Tang Dynasty (618-907), it had become a flourishing land.
Physical Features: The Loess Plateau, Ordos
Massif, alluvial plain of the Yellow River and mountainous area
all have wide ranges in the city. The terrain of Wuzhong generally
declines south- north. Its northern area belongs to the Yinchuan
Plain, while the south has distribution of hills and mountains.
Climatic Features: Wuzhong is an inland city,
bearing a temperate semi-dry continental climate. It has four
distinct seasons, but summer is not hot. Being one of the cities
with most abundant sunshine all around the nation, Wuzhong is
rich land favorable for the planting of agriculture products.
Generally, the temperature varies greatly during the day and night.
When to Go: May to October is the golden season
to Wuzhong for comfortable weather and picturesque scenery.
Special Local Products: Yellow River carp, pearl
rice, apple, melon seed, Tan Sheep skin
Scenic Spots:
108 Lamaist Stupas: As the name suggested, this
scenic spot is a pagoda forest of 108 Lamaist brick stupas. It
is situated 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of the Qingtongxia
City. As to the age of theses pagodas, no verdict has been worked
out yet. According to textural research, it has no less than 900
years of history. The pagoda complex has a unique layout and ranks
among the three pagoda complexes in China (the other two are the
pagoda forest of Shaolin
Temple in Henan and Lingyan Temple in Shandong.)
Tongxin Great Mosque: Being one of the ten extant
oldest mosques in China. It lies in the west of the Tongxin County,
150 kilometers (106 miles) from downtown Wuzhong. Constructed in
the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the mosque stands on a black brick
terrace 7 meters (23 feet) above the ground. The whole building
combines Chinese classical architecture perfectly with Islam wood
and brick carving art, being of great value for appreciation.
Tourist Tips:
1. Wuzhong is only 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Yinchuan, within
an hour's drive by highway. From Yinchuan's bus station near the
South Gate Square, buses to Wuzhong will depart every twenty minutes.
Yinchuan tourism bus station in Donghuan Bei Lu also offers bus
routes to Wuzhong. Wuhzong Bus Station is located in Litong Bei
Jie. From 08:00 to 18:30, buses to Yinchuan depart every 15 minutes.
2. Way to the 108 Lamaist Stupas: Take public buses from the Qingtong
city proper to the Qingtongxia Reservoir and then change to ferries.
The entire journey will cost about one hour and a half. In addition,
Wuzhong has public buses running directly to the Tongxin Great Mosque
or visitors can take private motorbikes to the destination.