The Qingtongxia Yellow River Grand Canyon Tourist Area is located in Qingtongxia Town, Qingtongxia City, Wuzhong City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. It is a national 5A-level tourist scenic area, covering an area of 126 square kilometers. Taking the Yellow River as the axis, the scenic area relies on high-quality resources such as the river, canyon, pagodas, temples, mountains, wetlands, ancient roads, and ancient towns. With the Yellow River culture as the theme, it integrates local folk customs, presenting a diverse culture. Here is the core area of the World Irrigation Engineering Heritage, a national key cultural relic protection unit, a national science popularization education base. Situated at the foot of Helan Mountain and along the Yellow River, it is the core area of the Ningxia Yellow River Golden Coast Tourism Belt.
Historical Culture
The Qingtongxia Yellow River Grand Canyon has a long history and profound cultural heritage. Here lies the ancient canal head of the Qin and Han Dynasties' Yellow River diversion irrigation system, which has a history of more than 2,000 years and is the first of the nine major irrigation canals in Ningxia. Since the Qin and Han Dynasties, the canal systems in Qingtongxia have crisscrossed. The heads of the nine major main canals, such as the Qin Canal, Han Canal, and Tanglai Canal, converge here. The total length of the main canals exceeds 1,200 kilometers, moistening both sides of the Yellow River, irrigating the vast fertile land, and nourishing hundreds of millions of people. In 2017, the Qingtongxia Yellow River Diversion Irrigation Project was rated as the "World Irrigation Engineering Heritage" by the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage, achieving a zero breakthrough of "World Heritage" in Ningxia.
The Qingtongxia Water Conservancy Project is one of the earliest projects established in the upper reaches of the Yellow River in the early days of the founding of New China. The project started construction on August 26, 1958, and the first unit generated electricity in 1967. It is the first and only sluice pier type hydropower station in China, with a total length of 693.75 meters and a maximum dam height of 42.7 meters. Its completion ended the history of water diversion without a dam in Ningxia for more than 2,000 years, greatly promoting the comprehensive development of industry, agriculture, and the economic society in Ningxia, and achieving the reputation of "The Yellow River enriches Ningxia, and Ningxia is like a land of fish and rice in the desert."
The 108 Pagodas were initially built in the Western Xia Dynasty. They are a national key cultural relic protection unit and the largest existing group of Lama pagodas in China. The pagoda group has been repaired several times during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties, evolving from adobe pagodas to brick pagodas. Its overall layout and basic shape still retain the construction style of the Western Xia Dynasty when it was first built. Cultural relics unearthed from the pagodas, such as silk color paintings of the Western Xia Dynasty, clay pagoda models, colored sculptures, and incomplete scriptures in Western Xia characters, have witnessed the exchange and integration of diverse cultures on the Silk Road in Ningxia, and have important values for studying the historical culture of the Western Xia Dynasty, the Yellow River culture, and water conservancy irrigation.
Main Scenic Spots
Ningxia Water Conservancy Expo Hall
Through various forms such as scene restoration, cultural relic display, graphic and text display, video demonstration, and multimedia special effects, it vividly shows the development history of more than 2,000 years of Yellow River diversion irrigation in Ningxia and the great water control practices of the working people in different dynasties to develop water conservancy and eliminate water disasters.
Qingtongxia Water Conservancy Project
It is the first large-scale comprehensive water conservancy project on the Yellow River for irrigation, power generation, flood control, and ice prevention, and is also one of the largest sluice pier type hydropower stations in China. Standing on the viewing overpass and looking down, the surging Yellow River water is tamed under the dam, which is very spectacular.
Ten-mile Long Canyon
It is formed by the remaining veins of Helan Mountain and Niushou Mountain. With a total length of 10 kilometers, a valley width of 800 to 1,000 meters, and the cliff walls on both sides over 80 meters high, it has typical rugged and vigorous characteristics of the Yellow River in northern China and is known as the "First Canyon in the Middle and Upper Reaches of the Yellow River." The cliffs on both sides of the canyon are steep, and there are numerous wonderful scenes, such as the Sleeping Buddha Mountain, Bird Island, Tian Shu Ge (Heavenly Book Pavilion), and ancient stone carvings, which make people overwhelmed.
108 Pagodas
Located at the water diversion inlet of the ancient Tanglai Canal on the west bank of the Qingtongxia Yellow River Grand Canyon, it is an important ancient pagoda building complex in the Western Xia Dynasty in the Hetao area of Ningxia and is a rare large-scale pagoda array in the world. Seen from the air, it is arranged in a triangular shape, and there are many mysterious legends surrounding these pagodas.
Dayu Cultural Park
Located on the east bank of the Yellow River Grand Canyon, the architectural style is that of the Han Dynasty palaces. It is composed of the Statue of Dayu, Yuwang Memorial Archway, Bell and Drum Tower Platform, Hetu Luoshu (River Map and Luo River Book), Mingtang (Hall of Light), Jiuzhouyuan (Nine Provinces Garden), and the main hall. It is the first Yellow River culture building complex in China. Using scientific and technological elements such as LED technology, real objects, and scenes, it comprehensively and three-dimensionally shows the civilization and inner spirit contained in Dayu.
Qingtongxia Yellow River Iron Bridge
Located at the entrance of the Qingtongxia Yellow River Grand Canyon Scenic Area, it is the first Yellow River bridge in Ningxia. It was officially completed and opened to traffic on July 1, 1959. It was mainly built for the Qingtongxia Water Conservancy Project and the transportation of materials on both sides of the Yellow River. In December 2010, it was listed as a cultural relic protection unit at the autonomous region level, and in December 2011, it was selected as one of the "Top 100 New Discoveries" in the Third National Cultural Relics Survey.
Delicacies
Yellow River Bighead Carp
The wild bighead carp growing in the Yellow River waters has tender and delicious meat and rich nutrition. The locals like to braise it in soy sauce. They coat the fish meat with a special sauce and simmer it slowly over a low fire. It tastes delicious and retains its original flavor. When you take a bite, the fish meat is tender and the soup is rich.
Reservoir Area Prawns
The river prawns are plump in size and firm in texture. They are suitable for braising in oil or stir-frying. With simple seasoning of rice wine and ginger slices, they maintain the original flavor of the prawns. When you eat them, the prawn meat is sweet and fragrant.
Yellow River Fish Soup
It is a thick soup carefully made from various fish in the Yellow River. Local specialties such as daylilies and agaric are added, which not only has the freshness of fish but also the fragrance of vegetables.
Braised Mutton in the Reservoir Area
The Tan sheep around the Qingtongxia Reservoir area have tender and delicious meat because they drink the water of the Yellow River and eat the wild grass along the riverbank. The mutton is stewed together with nourishing ingredients such as Chinese wolfberries and Codonopsis pilosula, retaining the original flavor of the mutton and having a strong aroma of traditional Chinese medicine.
Yellow River Fish Cake
It is made by mincing the fish meat from the Yellow River, adding green onions and ginger for seasoning, forming it into a cake shape, and frying it. The outer skin is golden and crispy, and the inside is tender and juicy. It is the first choice for the locals' breakfast and supper.
Saozi Noodles in the Reservoir Area
The noodles are made by kneading the dough with the water of the Yellow River, and are matched with the locally made Saozi (minced meat). Then, seasonal vegetables such as bean sprouts and leeks are added. It not only has the long texture of noodles but also the delicious taste of Saozi.
Tickets
Package Ticket (Line A): 115 yuan
Package Ticket (Line B): 185 yuan
Rafting Package Ticket (Line A): 188 yuan
Rafting Package Ticket (Line B): 258 yuan
You can search for the official WeChat public account of the scenic area, "青铜峡黄河大峡谷旅游区", to get the latest information or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
Peak Season (March 16 - November 15): 08:30 - 18:30
Off-season (November 16 - March 15 of the following year): 09:00 - 17:30
You can get the latest information on the official WeChat public account of the scenic area.
Tour Route
Tourists can first visit the Ningxia Water Conservancy Expo Hall to learn about the history of Yellow River diversion irrigation in Ningxia; then go to the Qingtongxia Water Conservancy Project to feel the grandeur of the dam; then take a cruise to tour the Ten-mile Long Canyon and enjoy the canyon scenery, passing through scenic spots such as the Sleeping Buddha Mountain and Bird Island; and finally go to the 108 Pagodas to feel the precipitation of history. If you have enough time, you can also visit the Dayu Cultural Park and the Qingtongxia Yellow River Iron Bridge.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Navigate directly to the parking lot of the Qingtongxia Yellow River Grand Canyon Tourist Area. Starting from Yinchuan, get on the Jingzang Expressway and get off at Qingtongxia. Then go along the Hexi Binhe Avenue to the tourist center in Qingtongxia Town. It is 74 kilometers away from Yinchuan City. Starting from Wuzhong City, go along the Hedong Binhe Avenue to the tourist center in Qingtongxia Town. It is 15 kilometers away from Wuzhong City. Starting from Xiaoba, go along the Qingtongxia Hexi Binhe Avenue to the tourist center in Qingtongxia Town. It is 17 kilometers away from Xiaoba, and you can visit the Yellow River Tower along the way.
- Public Transportation: Take Bus No. 29 at Wuzhong Bus Station (Bus Stop) and get off at Qingtong Ancient Town Station (Bus Stop), and then walk to the scenic area. You can also take the coach from Yinchuan South Gate Bus Station (Yinchuan - Qingtongxia Town) and get off at the tourist center in Qingtongxia Town. Starting from Guxia Square in Xiaoba, take Bus No. 5 directly to the scenic area and get off at the tourist center in Qingtongxia Town.
Must-visit Scenic Spots
- Ten-mile Long Canyon: The canyon scenery is magnificent, with steep cliffs on both sides and unique natural landscapes. Taking a cruise allows you to immerse yourself in the canyon scenery.
- 108 Pagodas: A mysterious ancient pagoda building complex of the Western Xia Dynasty, with a unique architectural pattern and profound cultural connotations, having extremely high historical and artistic values.
- Qingtongxia Water Conservancy Project: An important water conservancy project in the early days of the founding of New China, magnificent and spectacular, witnessing the history of water conservancy development in Ningxia and having important educational significance.
Tour Suggestions
- Purchase tickets or package tickets online in advance, and choose Line A or Line B according to your preferences to save the time of queuing up to buy tickets.
- When taking a cruise, remember to bring a camera or mobile phone and choose a seat by the window to facilitate enjoying and photographing the canyon scenery.
- If you are interested in history and culture, you can hire a tour guide at the Ningxia Water Conservancy Expo Hall and the 108 Pagodas to have an in-depth understanding of historical stories.
- The climate in Ningxia is dry. Pay attention to moisturizing and sun protection measures, and bring enough drinking water.
Notes
- Smoking is prohibited in the scenic area and the nearby mountain forests.
- Religious places restrict tourists from bringing incense sticks longer than 60 centimeters into the temple. Please do not buy excessive incense.
- When burning incense to pray for blessings, pay attention to the safety of other tourists around you to prevent scalding.
- Most of the flowers and trees in the scenic area are protected tree species. Please do not pick or break them.
- Respect the religious beliefs of others, and taking photos of the Buddha statues in the hall is prohibited.
- Do not visit the unopened areas in the scenic area. If you encounter problems during the tour, inform the staff in a timely manner.