Jing Yuan A Xi Yan Lamb

The taste is very good, I like it, my friends often go there, and so do I

The taste is average and the price is expensive. The better one is the fried shredded potatoes

A Complete Travel Guide to Zhongwei: A Secret Northwest Land Where the Desert and the Yellow River Meet Zhongwei, a city in central-western Ningxia, rose to fame thanks to the variety show "Where Are We Going, Dad?" and has become a popular destination for travelers in the northwest. It boasts the magnificent scenery of "smoke rising from the desert, the setting sun over the long river," as well as the gentle interweaving of the Yellow River and the oasis. Below is a practical guide covering attractions, food, accommodations, and transportation to help you enjoy Zhongwei. I. Core Attractions: A Symphony of Desert and Yellow River 1. Shapotou (5A-rated Scenic Area) A gem of Chinese desert tourism, Shapotou blends the desert, the Yellow River, high mountains, and oasis, offering a perfect place to experience the beauty of the northwest. Visitors can experience desert surfing, camel riding, sandboarding, or rafting down the Yellow River on sheepskin rafts. Tickets start at 60 yuan, with some attractions within the scenic area subject to additional charges. 2. Tengger Desert The Tengger Desert is renowned for its unique landscape of "green within the sand, water within the green, islands within lakes, and lakes within islands." Camping, camel rides, and off-road vehicle adventures are available here, making it a perfect place to experience the desert's charm. Admission to the desert itself is free, but some attractions require tickets. 3. Route 66 This route traverses uninhabited winter areas, offering tranquil scenery and the grandeur of vast snowfields. The free route is ideal for self-drive or cycling tours and is a paradise for photography enthusiasts. 4. Tonghu Grassland As the filming location for the movie "The Tomb of the Assassin," Tonghu Grassland captivates visitors with its interwoven landscape of grassland, desert, and wetlands. Experience grassland horseback riding and desert off-roading, with admission starting at 30 yuan. 5. Sikouzi Scenic Tourist Area Famous for its rugged, secluded, unique, and breathtaking beauty, Sikouzi is a renowned natural scenic spot in Ningxia. Visitors can climb Danxia landforms, explore ancient temples, and experience the fusion of nature and humanity. Admission starts at 75 yuan. II. Food Map: A Feast for Your Taste, From Beach Lamb to Intangible Cultural Heritage Noodles Zhongwei cuisine focuses on beach lamb, noodles, and Northwest snacks. The following must-try dishes are not to be missed: 1. Hand-Pulled Lamb Changxiangju Yanchi Beach Lamb Hand-Pulled Lamb Restaurant: The bone-in lamb is so tender it falls off the bone, and the garlic and vinegar sauce is so fragrant it's a sizzling dish. Served with scallion scrambled eggs, it's a refreshing treat. 80 yuan per person. Jingyuan Asiyan Lamb: The steamed lamb is crispy and tender, and the hand-pulled lamb, with the skin on, is chewy and not greasy. Excellent value. 75 yuan per person. 2. Intangible Cultural Heritage Noodles Xiaoji Water Noodles: The hand-pulled noodles are translucent and chewy, and the broth, made from a six-hour simmered hen and duck, is incredibly delicious. 15 yuan per person. Osmanthus Handmade Noodles: The lentil noodles are rich in bean flavor, while the mugwort noodles have a refreshing herb aroma. 20 yuan per person. 3. Night Market Snacks Zhongwei Mall Fried Noodles: Freshly fried noodles coated in sauce, the noodles are chewy and savory, served with a secret spicy paste and garlic cloves. 15 yuan per person. Da Mo Wei Ji · Xiangyang Pedestrian Street Night Market: Grilled beach lamb with red willow branches is sizzling, and the handmade swirl noodles are slippery. 30-50 yuan per person. 4. Other Specialties Eight Treasure Tea: Sweet and refreshing, with flavors like goji berries, white sesame seeds, longan, and red dates. There are also jasmine, rose, and chrysanthemum flavors, varying in sweetness, but all are very delicious. Price: 10-20 yuan per cup. Cold Saladed Sand Scallions: Refreshing like bean sprouts, with a wonderful aroma, it's a great way to relieve greasiness. Price: 15-20 yuan per serving. III. Accommodation Guide: A variety of options from luxury hotels to unique B&Bs 1. Luxury Hotels Zhongwei Desert Diamond Hotel: A five-star luxury hotel with stunning sunset views. Rated 4.7, prices start at around 1,000 yuan. Tengol Desert Resort: Exotic and charming, it feels like being transported to a fairytale world. Rated 4.6. Prices start at approximately 1,200 yuan. 2. Unique B&Bs Xuli B&B (Zhongwei Shapotou): Attentive service. Rated 4.8. Prices start at approximately 983 yuan. Zhongwei Dalongsheng B&B: Located near Shapotou Airport. Rated 4.8. Prices start at approximately 300 yuan. Excellent value. 3. Budget Hotels Zhongwei Hongwei Baiqian Hotel: Rich breakfast. Rated 4.5. Prices start at approximately 251 yuan. Jinjiang Inn (Zhongwei Shapotou Water Town): Clean and comfortable. Rated 4.5. Prices start at approximately 204 yuan. IV. Transportation Tips: Convenient Travel Network 1. External Transportation High-speed Rail/Train: Zhongwei Station is a major transportation hub, with direct connections to cities such as Yinchuan and Lanzhou. The high-speed rail from Yinchuan to Zhongwei takes about 1.5 hours and costs approximately 50 yuan. Bus: Zhongwei Bus Station offers shuttle buses to surrounding cities, with fares varying depending on your destination. 2. Internal Transportation Taxi/Online Ride-hailing: Zhongwei's downtown attractions are relatively close together, making taxis inexpensive and convenient, averaging 10-20 yuan. Car Rental: If you plan to visit the Tengger Desert or Route 66, we recommend renting a car for your own driving, with rentals costing approximately 200-500 yuan per day. 5. Itinerary: 3-Day, 2-Night Classic Route Day 1: A Symphony of the Desert and the Yellow River Morning: Visit Shapotou and experience desert surfing, camel riding, and other activities. Afternoon: Raft down the Yellow River on a sheepskin raft and experience the majesty of "The World's First Yellow River Rafting." Evening: Visit Zhongwei Mall for fried noodles or the Damoweiji Night Market for delicious food. Day 2: Exploring the Grasslands and Danxia Morning: Visit Tonghu Grassland and experience grassland horseback riding, desert off-roading, and other activities. Afternoon: Visit the Sikouzi Scenic Area, climb the Danxia landforms, and explore ancient temples. Evening: Return to the city and enjoy hand-pulled lamb or traditional noodles. Day 3: A Road and Cultural Stroll Morning: Drive or cycle Route 66 and admire the tranquil beauty of winter's uninhabited landscapes. Afternoon: Visit Zhongwei Drum Tower and experience the charm of this ancient structure. Evening: Depending on your return time, you may enjoy free time in the city or shop for local specialties. Zhongwei, a city where the desert meets the Yellow River, boasts both magnificent natural scenery and a rich culinary culture. Embark on a spontaneous Zhongwei adventure with this guide!