Here's a reason for you to visit Zhongwei

Zhongwei City, located in the central and western part of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of China, is a place full of natural scenery and historical culture. Zhongwei is a frontier fortress on the 'Silk Road' and has been a strategic military location in the northwest region since ancient times. Currently, it is the third largest railway traffic hub connecting the northwest and north China, and is a must-pass place for the 'East-West Passage' of the Eurasian Continental Bridge. The territory integrates five major landforms: river alluvial plain, plateau, desert, mountain, and hill, and is known as 'The Yellow River enriches Ningxia, and Zhongwei is the richest'. Zhongwei has the national 4A-level tourist attraction Shapotou, which integrates sand, mountains, rivers, and gardens; the Sikouzi tourist area known for its dangerous and unique Danxia landform; the Paleolithic site of Yibowquan, ancient rock paintings, Zhongwei Gaomiao, Shuanglongshan Grottoes, Haiyuan 'Global Earthquake' site and many other historical sites and scenic spots. They are not only unique tourism resources, but also show the brilliant ancient civilization and profound cultural heritage of Zhongwei, winning the reputation of 'Cultural Pearl of the Frontier'. Here is the boundless desert, here is the most romantic hotel, here is the night sky full of stars... Various labels make everyone curious and longing for it. I believe there is always one reason that attracts you to visit.

Gaomiao Temple in Ningxia

Zhongwei (中卫) is a city in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Most people come here for the nearby Tanger dessert, but the city also has an interesting site: The Gaomiao Temple (高庙). It was originally built in the Ming dynasty during the early 1400s, this is one of the most unique temples in China, combining aspects of Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism. There's also a room with +/- 170 sculptures of religious images. What makes it really stand apart from other temples is the addition of an underground hell house, with gruesome scenes depicting torture in hell. In walking distance to the temple is also the Drum Tower (鼓楼) - constructed in 1631, the drum tower is now in the center of a roundabout. In the surrounding area you can also find a lot of food and shops. 🎫 Ticket: Free. 🌍 Address: Directly in front of the train station. #culture #religiousculture #ningxia #summervacation

Escape the summer heat with desert camping

Escape the summer heat in Zhongwei and go camping in the desert, where the temperature difference between day and night is significant, so be sure to prepare a jacket. It is recommended to stay in the urban area of Zhongwei and take a chartered car or join a group to camp in the Tengger Desert. During the day, you can experience exciting activities such as desert off-roading, desert camels, desert grass sliding, and boat tours, while at night, you can enjoy skewers and beer under the stars, standing on the dunes to see the sparkling Milky Way. Attraction Recommendations Zhongwei Gaomiao is located in the center of Zhongwei city. As a representative ancient Ming and Qing architectural complex in the desert city, it has a history of over 600 years since its establishment in the Ming Yongle period. Admission is free. Shapotou Shapotou is located at the junction of Ningxia, Gansu, and Inner Mongolia, adjacent to the Zhongwei Yellow River alluvial plain. With its vast dunes rolling across the landscape, you can enjoy entertainment activities such as sheepskin rafting and desert off-roading. Admission is 80 yuan. Tengger Desert It only takes 40 minutes to drive from Zhongwei City in Ningxia to the Tengger Desert campsite in Alxa Left Banner, Inner Mongolia. There are well-established desert campsites with tents and amusement projects to choose from. You can also ride camels. The minimum camping fee starts at 100 yuan There are different grades of camping tents to choose from. Accommodation Recommended in the urban area of Zhongwei, standard rooms start at 100 yuan Cuisine Stir-fried La Tiao, lamb offal, roasted lamb skewers, Eight-Treasure Tea to Camp Perfect Camping Trip

This ancient temple is worth inching closer to admire for an hour

Ningxia Zhongwei, a city known for its Shapotou desert tourism, actually has more than just the Tengger Desert and the natural landscapes of the west, it also has breathtaking historical architecture. For example—the Zhongwei Gaomiao Temple. Zhongwei Gaomiao Temple is a large temple that incorporates the architectural features of ancient Chinese buildings from both the north and the south. It was originally built during the Yongle period of the Ming dynasty and has been expanded and renovated over generations, gradually increasing in scale. The entire architectural complex is arranged from low to high along the central axis, with layers upon layers and a well-organized layout. The main building's wings, including the bell and drum towers, Wenlou, and Wulou auxiliary halls, are connected by winding corridors, creating a mysterious and magnificent atmosphere. The brick and wood carvings on the doors and windows are uniquely shaped, showcasing the exquisite artistic style of ancient Ningxia architecture. Gaomiao is a temple that embodies the 'Three Teachings' of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. Inside the temple, not only are there statues of Buddha, but also deities from Taoism and Confucianism such as the Jade Emperor and Guan Yu. Gaomiao is located in the center of Zhongwei city, and you can plan to spend half a day visiting it if you're staying in Zhongwei.

The temple with layered pavilions and towering halls

It was first built during the Yongle period of the Ming dynasty, a temple that encompasses Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Although the site is not extensive, it boasts over 260 interconnected, layered pavilions that gradually ascend in height, creating an imposing and exquisitely intricate architectural wonder that is tall, lofty, and sublime. The temple houses the Mahavira Hall, the Hall of the Spirit Officials, the Jade Emperor Pavilion, the Holy Mother Hall, the Wuyue Temple, the Bell Tower, the Drum Tower, and so on. There is also the 'Hall of Five Hundred Arhats,' representing a moment's thought of heaven, and the 'Underground Palace,' representing a moment's thought of hell. The Underground Palace is known as one of the 'Four Great Hells of China,' recreating the scenes of the eighteen levels of hell. Despite its gloomy and terrifying atmosphere, it leads people to goodness. Inside the Hall of Arhats, there are 506 statues of arhats arranged in a mountain-like formation, with varying heights and an orderly yet scattered layout.

Gao Temple Bao'an Temple: A blend of historical treasures and religion

Gao Temple Bao'an Temple, an ancient temple with a history of more than 600 years, was built in 1403 during the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty. The concentration, compactness, towering, and curvature of its architecture are awe-inspiring. The multi-storey pavilions, the eaves pecking at each other, the grandeur, like a phoenix spreading its wings, ready to fly. Every step into this temple, you can feel the historical vicissitudes and religious solemnity it exudes. Gao Temple Bao'an Temple is not only famous for its unique ancient architectural group, but also because it integrates the religious culture of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. This cultural blend makes the temple more attractive and attracts countless tourists to worship and visit. Whether it is to appreciate its architectural beauty or to feel its profound religious culture, Gao Temple Bao'an Temple is a place worth visiting.

Ningxia Zhongwei Gaomiao | Stacked up, like a phoenix spreading its wings | Structured tightly and majestic

Gaomiao Bao'an Temple in Zhongwei, Ningxia is located north of Zhongwei County. It was built during the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty (1403-1424) and has been expanded and renovated through the generations. By the Qing Dynasty, it had become a large-scale ancient architectural complex. Gaomiao Bao'an Temple is a temple where three religions coexist. Not only are Buddha and Bodhisattva worshipped, but also Jade Emperor, Holy Mother, Wenchang, Guan Gong and other statues. The temple houses a mix of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Zhongwei used to have 9 temples and 18 temples at its peak, but only Gaomiao stands tall, towering, and superior, hence the name "Gaomiao". Gaomiao wins by height, on a high platform of only over 4,000 square meters, there are more than 260 multi-storey pavilions. The entire architectural complex is divided into two parts, with the front low and the back high, stacked up like a phoenix spreading its wings. In front of Gaomiao is Bao'an Temple, the front is the Daxiong Hall with a single-eave Xieshan roof. Behind the hall is Gaomiao, with 24 steps, up the steps, through the archway, Nantian Gate, Zhonglou, and finally the three-story Wuyue, Jade Emperor, and Holy Mother Hall. These buildings are connected in layers, showing a gradually increasing trend. There are also bell towers, drum towers, Wenlou, Wulou, Lingguan Hall, Dizang Hall and other side halls on both sides, with a tight structure and majestic momentum. Under the Daxiong Hall and brick archway of Gaomiao, there is also a hell, with various monsters and ghosts, with green faces and fangs, and their faces are abhorrent, warning the world with stories of loyalty, filial piety, integrity, and righteousness. Climbing to the highest level of Gaomiao, it is another scene. The ancients praised this scene: "Reed flowers fly snow and swell clear ripples, misty rain is mysterious and the view is more strange. Dots of white gulls bathe in the deep, flat boats move with thoughts of the five lakes". Looking at the sky, the ink is floating blue; the desert oasis, the Yellow River, and the Great Wall are all in sight. 📍Detailed address: Gaomiao: Gaomiao Scenic Area, Changcheng West Road, Shapotou District, Zhongwei City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Ticket: 30 yuan / person

Gao Temple tickets 30 yuan, online booking can be 5 yuan discount. The high temple is divided into two parts. Once entered, it is a small park. It is free. The locals set up stalls to sell things, exercise and exercise, and play chess. There are many people when the weather is good. The other is the security guard temple. I didnt expect that there would be such a distinctive temple in such a small town. Such a densely-structured temple building, the mood of the first time I saw it, could not be described in words. The main building of Gaomiao was indeed majestic, and the building was progressive and colorful. Beautiful and beautiful, all the painted lacquers are inexplicable. According to the introduction of the monks, it was done by a dumb man in the temple, so I can see the seriousness and sincerity that is worth visiting. Only the open part is limited. The other two scenic spots can be described as one side of hell and one side of heaven. The 18th floor of Hell is the condensed view of life, and Luohan Cave is the day of the rich family who have nothing to do. Since ancient times, there have been dreams of rich second generation! The overall architectural group has a good photo effect. After watching Tiangong into hell, Gao Temple is in addition to the harmonious coexistence of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.