Archive for the ‘Zhongwei Travel’ Category

Tonghu Grassland in the Tengger Desert

Friday, July 10th, 2015
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Tonghu Grassland (通湖草原) is actually a wetland grassland in the heart of Tengger Desert. This AAAA National Scenic Area encompasses the mesmerizing landscapes of the sand dunes, inter-connected lakes, and huge grassland area.

In Tonghu Grassland, you are able to ride a horse galloping on the grassland or go for a camel ride on the desert, a good place to experience Mongolian life and leisure travel.

Tonghua Grassland is located just north of the shared border between Inner Mongolia and Ningxia. Though under the jurisdiction of Inner Mongolia, many workers from Zhongwei in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region since Tonghu Grassland Scenic Area is only 30km to the northwest of the city of Zhongwei, and only 8.3 km north of Shapotou. Either you plan your Inner Mongolia tour or Ningxia tour, a side trip to Tonghu Grassland is an interesting experience.

The most popular mode of traveling from Zhongwei and Tonghu Grassland is to hire a local yellow taxi. After your travel in Tonghu Wetland Grassland, you are supposed to take the same taxi back to Zhongwei or another AAAAA scenic area of Shapotou.

Entrance Fee: RMB 60
Opening Hours: 6:00 – 22:00

Now follow me to have a glimpse of Tonghu Wetland Grassland.

Hire a local yellow taxi from Zhongwei to Tonghu Grassland.

Hire a local yellow taxi from Zhongwei to Tonghu Grassland.

Hire a local yellow taxi from Zhongwei to Tonghu Grassland.

The entrance to Tonghu Grassland. On the right side is the ticketing office.

The entrance to Tonghu Grassland

The entrance to Tonghu Grassland

By the gate , you are able to clearly view the lake, the wetland grassland and the Tengger Desert.

The lake, the wetland grassland and the Tengger Desert

The lake, the wetland grassland and the Tengger Desert

The Tonghu Wet Grassland surrounded by the desert. Your ticket includes the little train car ride from the entrance to the heartland of Tonghu Grassland Scenic District.

the golf car ride from the entrance to the heartland of Tonghu Grassland Scenic District

the golf car ride from the entrance to the heartland of Tonghu Grassland Scenic District

The workers at the grassland scenic area welcomes visitors coming afar with the white hada, a piece of silk used as a greeting gift among Mongol nationalities.

Welcome visitors coming afar with the white hada

Welcome visitors coming afar with the white hada

Tonghu Grassland Scenic Area is mainly composed of three parts – a horse riding district linked to the wetland grassland, yurt district for overnight visitors and desert playground.

a horse riding district

a horse riding district

The yurt area is scattered with various kinds of Mongolian yurts ranging from economic and deluxe classes with catering facilities. Staying overnight on the grassland under the starry sky is a delightful experience.

The yurt area is scattered with various kinds of Mongolian yurts

The yurt area is scattered with various kinds of Mongolian yurts

The third area is the desert playground. To get to the edge of the Tengger Desert, you again need to take the little train golf car from the horse riding place.

On the way to the desert

On the way to the desert

Tengger Desert is the fourth largest desert in China. Here there are plentiful sand activities – camel ride, sand slides, jeep on the desert and sand surfing,etc.

Camel Ride

Camel Ride

 

Add on
Narat Grasslands Yili Xinjiang
Ruoergai Grassland in Sichuan
Top 10 Grasslands in China

Any questions, just drop a line.

How to Visit Zhongwei in One Day

Friday, September 26th, 2014
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If you are planning Ningxia Tour, Zhongwei City(中卫), the second largest city after Yinchuan in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region is highly recommended to be included on your Ningxia trip. Zhongwei is located 220 km southwest of Yinchuan, 290 km northeast of Lanzhou, 648km northwest of Xian and 749 km west of Taiyun. Zhongwei can be easily accessed by the above mentioned cities through long distance buses, trains and even flights as Zhongwei has a small airport.

Zhongwei is synonymous with a combination of Yellow River, desert,  oasis and mountains, a view seldom seen in other places in China. The Yellow River winds past the city of Zhongwei with a length of 182  km. Zhongwei is on the southern edge of Tengger Desert ( Tenggeli Desert), one of the four largest deserts in China. The unique landscape attracts a consistent flow of visitors each year. The best season to visit Zhongwei falls on May Through early October.

How to visit Zhongwei in one day? The over 1000 yellow-colored taxis are the main transport for travelers inside or outside the city of Zhongwei. You may hire a taxi for about RMB 130 to transfer between the major attractions in Zhongwei for your day trip.

Follow me to have a day trip to Zhongqwwei. First drive 30 km to reach Tonghu Grassland (通湖草原), 30 km northwest of Zhongwei city proper. Tonghu Grassland is actually under the administration of Inner Mongolia. But this grassland is often incorporated into the tourist zone in Zhongwei and Tonghu Grassland is managed by the people from Zhongwei.

On the way from Zhongwei downtown to Tonghu Grassland, you will drive past a large natural salt lake.  Jump off your car and enter the massive salt lake glistering under the sunshine, experiencing the natural treasure.

The salt lake glistering     under the sunshine.

The salt lake glistering under the sunshine.

Tonghu Grassland is located in the heart of Tengger Desert, a great charm of desert, lake and grassland unparalled by other grasslands which may be either much larger or beautiful than Tonghu Grassland. Tonghu Grassland is an AAAA scenic area rated by National Tourism Bureau with good facilities and safety measures. Horse riding,  camel riding, sand sliding are the main activities done by the visitors. Tonghu Grassland also offers Mongolian yurts for overnight to experience the Mongolian life.

Tonghu Grassland with Tonghu Lake and a backdrop of Tengger Desert. Entrance fee: RMB 60

Tonghu Grassland

Tonghu Grassland

Horse riding along a set horse riding route costs RMB 60

Camel riding on a fixed travel route costs RMB 60 per person

Camel Riding

Camel Riding

Staying overnight at a yurt is an interesting experience to feel the Mongolian life.

Mongolian Yurt

Mongolian Yurt

After visiting  Tonghu Grassland, continue to drive about 20km to get to Shapotou, a desert playground ( entrance fee: RMB 100), a unique combined view of sand dune, Yellow River and lush farm fields. Shanpotou is located on the south edge of Tengger Desert and north of Yellow River. The “S” Yellow River” is a fascinating scene, sought after by tourists and  photographers.

Shaputou

Shaputou

It seems Shaputou has been turned into an amusement park. In tourist high season, the park is packed with holiday makers engaged in various activities such as Hangglide (RMB100), zipline (RMB80), sand sliding (RMB30) and even bungee jump (RMB160). If you are not interested in the amusement park like activities, you may turn to  a travel agency which organizes more challenging camel trek across Tengger Desert, Yellow River trek, drifting on Yellow River with a leather raft and so on to experience the massive desert and Yellow River.

Now return to the city proper of Zhongwei and visit the magnificent Gao Temple built in Ming Dynasty with a long history of over 600 years. Entrance fee: RMB 30. It used to a temple comprising three religions – Buddhism, Taoism and Confucius. Now Gao Temple has more Buddhist elements than those attached to Confucius and Taoism.  The appeal of Gao Temple lies at its architecture – ornate stone and wood carving, and decorated elegant structures.  Gao Temple is located between Zhongwei Railway Station (RMB30)

The entrance to Gao Temple

The entrance to Gao Temple

The delicate and ornate wood and stone buildings inside the temple are worth your half or one hour exploration.
The main building of Gao Temple.

Gao Temple's main building

Gao Temple’s main building

The delicate and ornate architectures inside the temple,  always arouse a great interest.

Delicate Building

Delicate Building

The Drum Tower in Gao Temple

the drum tower

the drum tower

Zhongwei is a neat and laid back city. Compact, Zhongwei is a walkable city with Drum Tower at the center of Zhongwei.

Walk along East Gulou Tower  and turn right at the first cross,  you will find a huge Mao Zedong Statue which is in front of Zhongwei Railway Station.

Mao Zedong's Statue

Mao Zedong’s Statue

Opposite to the street with the huge Mao Zedong’s statue is an street rife with vendors and stalls.

Vendors and stalls

Vendors and stalls

Any questions, just drop a  line.

Zhongwei Taxi: Zhongwei Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones

Friday, February 11th, 2011
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Zhongwei City is located in the west of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. It is 160 kilometer (about 99 miles) and only a few hours by bus to the southeast of Yinchuan near the Yellow River. The Hui ethnic minorities makes up approxi. 34% of the total population  

Zhongwei Taxi Quantity
At the time of my writing, 
Zhongwei has about 1,000 taxis offered by 4 taxi companies. As a small city, the number of taxi has reach saturation state more or less, so it is easy to hail a taxi in the street.
 
Taxi Models in Zhongwei
The common models of taxi in
Zhongwei are Xiali and wagon..
 
Zhongwei Taxi Fares:
• the starting price varies from RMB 3 to 4
 
Zhongwei Taxi Company Bookings
If you need to book a taxi, please make the call as following:
• Zhongwei Transport Company                   Tel: 0955-7011117
•Zhongwei Tianma Taxi Company                 Tel:0955-7011161
 
Hailing a Zhongwei City Taxi
•The best places to hail a taxi is near the Station, Bus stop, Scenic Spots, and Hotel
 
Zhongwei Taxi rider’s rights
As a taxi rider, you have the rights below:
Direct drive to your destination and no compulsory car pooling
Go to any destination in and beyond Zhongwei
Your car driver knows the streets in Zhongwei and the way to major destinations in
Zhongwei;
Your driver should know and abide by all traffic laws;
Air-conditioning on demand;
A radio-free trip;
No Smoking
A clean passenger seat area;
A clean trunk
A driver uses the horn only when necessary to warn of danger;
No Tip
 
Zhongwei Taxi Stands
Zhongwei has no taxi stand. People just hail a taxi along the street anywhere it is safe and convenient.
 
Zhongwei Taxi Complaints
If you have any problem with a taxi in Zhengzhou, please contact the following:
• Zhongwei Price Bureau.         Tel: 0955-7026300
 
Zhongwei Taxi Useful Information
•Using a meter instead of bargaining with the cab driver
•Refusing a forced pooling taxi
•Zhongwei – Shapotou : RMB30 one way
 
 
Zhongwei Tour Service
Ningxia 5 Day Tour
Ningxia Qinghai 6 Day Tour
Inner Mongolia Ningxia Xian 8 Day Tour
Ninxia Travel Guide
Yinchuan Travel Guide
Helanshan Rock Carving
Western Film Studio
Nanguan Mosque
Haibao Pagoda
Qingtongxia Travel Guide
Zhongwei Travel Guide