Guyuan Travel Guide

Population: 1,868,500

Area: 16,783 square kilometers (6,480square miles)

Nationalities: Hui, Han

Administrative Division: 1 district (Yuanzhou); 4 counties (Xiji, Longde, Jingyuan, Pengyang)

Useful Telephone Numbers:
Tourist Complaints: 0954-2032971
Weather Forecast: 121
Zip Code Inquiry: 184

Location: Guyuan lies in the south of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, on the west bank of the upper reaches of Qingshui River and northeast of the Liupan Mountain. It is bordered by Zhongwei and Wuzhong in the north and by Gansu Province in the other three sides.

History: Old Guyuan is a vital pass in the east section of the ancient Silk Road. From long ago, it was a town of military importance communicating the Central Shaanxi to the western land outside the Great Wall. In 114, the Han (206BC-220AD) Court established Gaoping Town, which is said to be the historical Guanyuan firmly recorded in history. By the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Guyuan had reached its zenith.

Physical Features: Guyuan lies in the northwest edge of the Loess Plateau. Within the city, the Liupan Mountain zigzags south-north separating Guyuan into western and eastern parts. Most of the region is situated 1500-2000 meters (4921-6562 feet) above the sea level featuring undulant hill and gullies.

Climatic Features: Enjoying a temperate continental monsoon climate, the city has lower temperature that varied greatly during a year. The weather features cold spring, dry summer. Northern area is dry and abundant in heat and sunshine, while the south is relatively wetter but heat and sunshine are inadequate. Annual average temperature ranges between 5 and 7 degree centigrade (41-45 degree Fahrenheit).

When to Go: Summer is much favorable to visit for the moderate temperature.

Special Local Products: buckwheat, oat wine, pea, medlar

Scenic Spots:
Liupan Mountain Tourist Zone: Liupan Mountain, also Longshan Mountain, lies in the south part of Ningxia with its highest peak situated in Guyuan. The scenic area is a forest park and a nature reserve, either. Its astonishing gorge landscape, spectacular pools and waterfalls as well as its abundant animal and plant resources make the tourist zone the most attractive green land in the dry land.
Mount Sumeru Grottoes: Lies at the east foot of the north section of the Liupan Mountain, 55 kilometers northwest of Guyuan, the resort conserves 22 well preserved grottoes excavated by courts from the Northern Dynasty (386-581) to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). These grottoes perfectly reflect the Buddhist carving arts of ancient china during that period of history, being a previous cultural relic along the Silk Road.

Tourist Tips:
1. Distance from Guyuan to Lanzhou and Yinchuan is nearly the same. The city is 300 kilometers (186 mile) from Lanzhou, about 6 hours' drive on national road. Highway is also available. It will be farer but the road condition is better. Yinchuan is about 330 kilometers (205 miles) away from Guyuan, which will cost three hours and a half by highway.
2. Guyuan Bus Station stands in the Wenhua Street. In the Yinchuan tourism bus station in Donghuan Bei Lu, there are buses shuttling between these two cities.