Dingxi, China
Region: Gansu
Geographic Coordinates: 35.580600, 104.626000
Temperature Range: -10.0°C to 35.0°C (14°F to 95°F)
Climate: Dry and arid with low precipitation, particularly in winter.
Population: 2698624
Language: Mandarin
Dingxi is a city located in the Gansu Province of China, Surrounded by mountains and hills that make it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The city covers an area of 20, 300 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 2.7 million people. Dingxi has a rich history dating back to the Qin Dynasty (221 BC – 206 BC), Where it served as a military outpost for soldiers guarding against invaders from the west. Today, Dingxi is known for its cultural heritage and natural beauty.
One of Dingxi’s most popular attractions is the Bingling Temple Grottoes, Which houses over 180 caves filled with Buddhist statues and murals dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Visitors can reach this stunning site by taking a boat ride along the Yellow River. Another must-see attraction in Dingxi is Shandan Horse Ranch, Established during World War II to breed horses that could withstand extreme weather conditions and carry heavy loads across mountainous terrain. Visitors can watch horse shows and take horseback rides through scenic trails.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Dingxi offers plenty of opportunities for hiking and camping in national parks such as Lianhua Mountain National Forest Park or Qilian Mountain National Nature Reserve. These parks are home to diverse flora and fauna including rare species such as snow leopards. Dingxi also boasts a unique culinary scene with local specialties such as Liangpi noodles made from wheat starch served with spicy sauce or roasted lamb skewers seasoned with cumin powder – both dishes are sure to tantalize your taste buds!
In recent years, Dingxi has undergone significant economic development thanks to its strategic location on China’s Belt & Road Initiative. The city now houses several industrial parks and has become an important hub for transportation and logistics. Overall, Dingxi offers visitors a chance to explore its rich cultural heritage, Stunning natural beauty, Unique cuisine all while experiencing adventure. Whether you’re an adventure seeker or a culture buff, There’s something for everyone in this charming city.
- Anding Mosque: A historic mosque built during the Ming Dynasty.
- Jingtu Temple: An ancient Buddhist temple with beautiful architecture and stunning views.
- Huanghe River Scenic Area: A scenic area located along the Yellow River with breathtaking natural scenery.
- Lianhua Mountain Scenic Area: A popular hiking destination with stunning mountain views and lush vegetation.
- Tiantishan Grottoes: Ancient Buddhist grottoes carved into a cliff face that date back to the Tang Dynasty.
- Shimen Canyon Scenic Area: A beautiful canyon with crystal-clear water and unique rock formations.
- Liujiaxia Reservoir: A massive reservoir offering boating, fishing, and other water-based activities.
- Yinxu Ruins Museum: An archaeological museum showcasing artifacts from the ancient Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BCE).
- 1. Agriculture (especially wheat, corn, and potatoes)
- 2. Livestock farming (sheep and cattle)
- 3. Mining (coal, iron ore, and copper)
- 4. Tourism (due to its natural scenery and historical sites)
- 5. Machinery manufacturing
- 6. Food processing
- 7. Construction
- The Silk Road: Dingxi was an important stop on the ancient Silk Road trade route that connected China to the West.
- The Yellow River Floods: Dingxi has been affected by numerous devastating floods caused by the Yellow River, including the 1931 flood that killed over 3 million people.
- Cao Xueqin: The author of one of China’s most famous novels, Dream of the Red Chamber, is believed to have lived in Dingxi during his childhood.
- Ma Hongkui: A prominent Chinese military leader who played a key role in resisting Japanese aggression during World War II and later became governor of Ningxia province, was born in Dingxi.
- Gansu Provincial Museum: Located in Lanzhou city near Dingxi, this museum houses many artifacts from prehistoric times to modern history related to Gansu province and its surrounding areas.
- The Dingxi Museum showcases the history and culture of Dingxi, including exhibits on local art, architecture, and traditional crafts.
- The Shimen Gorge Scenic Area is located just outside of Dingxi and features stunning natural landscapes. It’s a popular spot for hiking and outdoor activities.
- The Qianshan Temple is an ancient temple located in the mountains near Dingxi that offers visitors a chance to experience traditional Chinese spiritual practices.
- The Hui Nationality Cultural Village showcases the unique culture of the Hui ethnic minority group in China through exhibits on food, clothing, music, dance, and more.
- The Baiyin Ancient City Ruins date back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) and offer visitors a glimpse into ancient Chinese architecture and civilization.
- The Lanzhou Yellow River Iron Bridge spans across the Yellow River near Dingxi offering stunning views of both the river and surrounding landscape.
- Liujiaxia Dam & Reservoir Scenic Area features beautiful views of Liujiaxia Lake as well as cultural attractions such as Buddhist temples and grottoes.
- Danghe Scenic Area is located in southern Dingxi featuring towering mountains, crystal-clear rivers, hot springs waterfalls caves,and other natural attractions perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.
- Dingxi Grape Festival: This festival is held annually in August to celebrate the grape harvest season. It features various activities such as grape picking, wine tasting, and cultural performances.
- Huiyuan Temple Fair: This temple fair takes place every September to honor the birthday of Guanyin, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. The fair highlights traditional Chinese folk performances and religious ceremonies.
- Qilian Mountain Horse Racing Festival: Held each July, this festival showcases horse racing competitions and other traditional sports like archery and wrestling.
- Yellow River International Cultural Tourism Festival: This festival is held every August to promote tourism in Dingxi and surrounding areas. It includes cultural performances, food fairs, exhibitions showcasing local arts and crafts.
- Liujiaxia Dam Water Sports Festival: Taking place during summer at Liujiaxia Dam on the Yellow River, this festival features water sports competitions such as kayaking, rafting, swimming.
- Dongxiang Ethnic Minority Torch Festival: Celebrated by members of the Dongxiang ethnic minority group in Dingxi each June or July with torchlight processions, singing & dancing events along with horse racing competitions etc.
- Liangpi – a cold noodle dish made from wheat or rice flour and served with various toppings like chili oil, garlic, and vinegar.
- Dingxi beef noodles – a spicy noodle soup made with beef broth and tender chunks of beef.
- Bingfen – a dessert made from mung bean starch that is shaped into cubes and served with honey or syrup.
- Yangrou paomo – a lamb stew served with flatbread that is torn into small pieces before being added to the soup.
- Fenghuang Restaurant – known for its delicious lamb dishes, especially the yangrou paomo.
- Shengshi Hotel Restaurant – offers a variety of local dishes including liangpi and Dingxi beef noodles.
- Dongfanghong Restaurant – specializes in Sichuan-style hotpot and stir-fry dishes.
- Qingfeng Restaurant – serves traditional Chinese cuisine as well as Western-style food such as pizza and burgers.
- Dingxi City Park is a spacious public park that boasts green spaces, walking paths, and recreational facilities like basketball courts and playgrounds.
- Lianhua Mountain Scenic Area is a nature reserve that features hiking trails, waterfalls, and stunning views of the mountains surrounding it.
- Xiangshan National Forest Park is an area covered in forests with hiking trails perfect for exploring the outdoors. It also has picnic areas and camping facilities for visitors.
- Jingning Grand Canyon Scenic Area offers breathtaking natural scenery including steep cliffs, waterfalls, and panoramic vistas.
- Jishan Danxia Landform Geological Park is an incredible geological wonderland filled with unique rock formations in vivid colors.
- Huoshizhai National Geopark serves as an outdoor museum showcasing the region’s geology through exhibits and guided tours.
- Shuijinggou National Forest Park provides visitors with a forested area popular for camping, hiking, fishing, and picnicking activities.
- Qilian Mountain Ski Resort offers skiing and snowboarding activities during winter months for those looking to hit the slopes.
- Yumenguan Pass Scenic Area features an ancient pass located on the Silk Road that offers historical sites along with stunning views of the surrounding landscapes.
Some popular restaurants in Dingxi include:
