For the grottoes and rock paintings, I spent a weekend at the century-old Huangyang Ancient Village

With the rising popularity of the Tengger Desert and Route 66, more and more people are traveling to Zhongwei, Ningxia. Compared to the popular tourist spots, I prefer the century-old ancient village of Huangyang in Zhongwei, which is far from the hustle and bustle. It is located in Yuding Township, Zhongning County, Zhongwei City. 'Yuding,' as the name suggests, is a settlement of military farm personnel and their descendants under the ancient military farming system. Many century-old ancient villages have faded into the dust of history, but Huangyang Ancient Village is quite the opposite; it has become more vibrant and interesting over time. At the end of July this year, I specifically went to Huangyang Ancient Village for a weekend, partly to see the ancient rock paintings and the Shuanglong Mountain Grottoes that I had longed to see, and partly to experience the newly opened Xiecheng Resort Farm. The entire resort farm is in the style of traditional residential suites, scattered among the century-old jujube trees in Huangyang Ancient Village, mysterious and tranquil. Since it is newly opened, the hardware facilities and supporting environment are quite good and very clean. There are many facilities for children to play with, and many parents bring their children here for vacation. According to the service staff, there are also rooms with private hot springs, but unfortunately, I didn't book one. Even if you don't go out, there are many things to do in the village, such as watching the Huangyang money whip performance live, personally experiencing the making of intangible cultural heritage haizi noodles, and observing ancient rock paintings on-site. The village's outskirts are close to the Yellow River diversion canal, the winding Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty, and towering beacon towers. Next to the village, an 88 Road has been developed, where you can drive desert buggies at high speed and experience the thrill of speed and passion! In the evening, you can return to the resort farm for barbecues and fireworks, which is very pleasant. Six kilometers from Huangyang Ancient Village is the Shuanglong Mountain Grottoes, which were excavated during the Tang Dynasty. There are 13 grottoes in total, and the nine beamless caves are worth seeing. This place is also known as the Little Dunhuang on the Silk Road. In addition to the grottoes, the architecture here is also magnificent, with a three-story mountain building integrated with the caves. At the top of the mountain, there are ruins of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall, with beacon towers scattered around. To the north is the Tengger Desert, and to the south is the Yellow River, offering a spectacular view. Unfortunately, the grottoes were not properly protected before, and some damage is heartbreaking. 📍Scenic Spot Address: Huangyang Ancient Village Tourist Resort, Zhongning, Ningxia 🚗Transportation: 13.1 kilometers from Zhongning Railway Station, 42.5 kilometers from Zhongwei Shapotou Airport 👍️Must-visit Spots: Yellow River Diversion Canal, Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty, Shuanglong Mountain Grottoes, 88 Road 🎟️Ticket Information: Adults 30 yuan 💗Other Tips: Recommended stay for 1-2 days