Zhongwei, a prefecture-level city in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, offers a captivating mix of desert landscapes, historical treasures and unique local specialties. Sightseers can visit ancient temples, enjoy thrilling desert adventures and have a taste of world-renowned goji berries. Zhongwei is a destination that promises unforgettable experiences.
Zhongwei, located in the central-western region of Ningxia, is a culturally rich and geographically unique city at the crossroads οf Ningxia, northwest China's Gansu Province, and north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Zhongwei was a military stronghold during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It has retained its ancient name 卫 ("wei," meaning guard), which symbolizes its historical role in frontier defense.
Zhongwei is a melting pot of desert nomadic culture, Yellow River farming culture and the history of the border fortresses; it is a place of mountains, rivers, deserts and oases. The land area of Zhongwei exceeds 17,000 square kilometers, οf which nearly 3,740 square kilometers is desert area. The Yellow River flows through the desert, and the water nourishes the fertile land along the riverbanks. It creates a magical natural landscape.
Shapotou Scenic Area: Where Desert Meets Yellow River
Shapotou is a national nature reserve, as well as a scenic area, located 16 kilometers west of Zhongwei. Named after its sand dunes, which once towered more than 100 meters in height, Shapotou is where the Tengger Desert (in Inner Mongolia and joining the border of Ningxia at Zhongwei) and the Yellow River meet. Wang Wei, one of the best-known Chinese poets of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), recorded the beauty of Shapotou in a poem, in which he talked about how "a smoke hangs straight on the desert vast, a sun sits round on the endless stream."
Shapotou is composed of two sections; the south is the Yellow River zone, and the north is the desert zone. Today, the national 5A-level scenic area, which is the highest level for tourist attractions in China, offers various tourist activities, such as sand surfing and desert racing, providing locals and tourists alike with unique experiences. For desert adventures, one can glide down China's largest natural sand slide, ride a camel across Tengger Desert, or embark on a heart-pounding, desert-SUV safari. In the Yellow River zone, one can experience a traditional sheepskin raft ride, a centuries-old mode οf river transport, to enjoy the breathtaking views along the route.
Gaomiao Temple: A Marvel of Ancient Architecture
Gaomiao Temple is located in the northern region of Zhongwei. The temple was constructed in the early 1500s, during the Ming Dynasty. It stands as a masterpiece of traditional Chinese architecture.
Built on a high platform connected to the city wall, the three-story temple is designed with symmetrical precision, resembling a phoenix ready to take flight. Its intricate pavilions, overlapping eaves and interconnected corridors exemplify the ingenuity of ancient craftsmanship. Known as a "classic example of Chinese temple architecture," the temple harmoniously blends Confucian, Buddhist and Taoist elements. Visitors can explore its prayer halls, which are adorned with vivid murals and sculptures, while the panoramic view from the top οffers a glimpse into Zhongwei's historical and cultural legacy.
Goji Berries: The 'Red Treasure'
The goji berry, also known as wolfberry, a traditional Chinese medicinal plant, has garnered renewed attention for its health benefits, particularly its immune-boosting properties attributed to compounds like lutein and lycium barbarum polysaccharides. Dubbed the "magic berry," the goji berry has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years.
The goji berry, a local specialty in Zhongning, a county in Zhongwei, has been planted there for more than 600 years. Goji berries produced in Zhongning are of the highest quality, and they are known to have high nutritional value, due to the area's favorable natural growing conditions. In 1995, Zhongning County was named the hometown of goji berries in China by the State Council (the Chinese Government's cabinet). The annual harvest season (June-October) transforms fields in Zhongning into crimson landscapes, offering picturesque views.
In 2024, Zhongwei boasted a goji-berry cultivation area of 187,000 mu (12,467 hectares), with an annual output of 160,000 tons. More than 120 types of value-added products — including goji berry pulp, goji fruit cakes, and goji powder — have been developed, gaining widespread popularity among young people. With the high-quality development of the industry, goji berries from Zhongwei have not only brought greenery to barren land, but also become a significant source of wealth for the locals in the region.
Photos from VCG and Tuchong
(Women of China English Monthly July 2025)
Editor: Wang Shasha
