Guyuan

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Introduction

Large Buddha at Xumi Shan

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In far south of Ningxia Province is the marvelous town of Guyuan (固原). This decent sized town rests deep in the desert and is surrounded by several small sustainable Hui villages. This is one of the poorest areas in China and foreigners rarely visit it. Which is interesting because one of China’s best hidden treasures, Xumi Shan, is about 50 km northwest of town. The town itself is very nice with sections of the city wall still intact and some parts have been incorporated into a city park. This park also has a small amusement park. The view from the top of the city wall is nice and the county museum is nearby, which has some dinosaurs.

Neighborhoods

The town is small and everything a traveller needs is within walking distance of the bus station.

Sights and Activities

Xumi Shan

Xumi Shan (须弥山) ticket 30 RMB, is located about 50 km northwest of town. This is one of the best sights in China. There are over 300 Buddhist statues and grottoes in 132 caves scattered across a mountainside and up some canyons. These relics are over 1400 years old and very well preserved with some of the original paint and gold gliding still on them. The colossal Maitreya Buddha statue is over 19 meters high! The complex is worth walking around and takes at least half a day to explore. Wear good hiking boots and comfortable clothes for hiking, because the stairs and trails are extremely steep.

There is no regular transport to Xumi Shan so it is best to hire a round trip taxi from Guyuan for about 190 RMB. The drive to Xumi Shan is stunning making it worth avoiding the toll road. Little Hui towns and ruined cities scatter the countryside making for a great glimpse into lives of people in the countryside. There are several abandoned cities on the drive, which only have the city walls visible from the road. If you ask your driver kindly he will stop and let you explore.

Guyuan County Museum

Guyuan County Museum (固原博物馆) daily 8am-noon 2pm-6pm, is a great museum according to locals. When visited in December 2007 the museum was not open to the public and was being remodeled. According to some locals there are great dinosaurs inside and the museum is better then the museum in Yinchuan.

Events and Festivals

Being a Muslim area all major and minor Islamic holidays are celebrated.

Weather

Guyuan is in desert climate. The area is very dry and the winters can get quite cold. Sandstorms can occur in the spring and summer.

Getting There

By Bus

Smaller Buddha, Xumi Shan

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The easiest way to get to Guyuan is from Yinchuan. There are buses every half hour from 8 am to 6 pm for 60 RMB. The bus ride is 4 to 6 hours and there is one bathroom stop. There are also several buses to nearby towns in Ningxia and Gansu including one daily bus to Lanzhou.

By Train

Guyuan is on the Zhongwei-Baoji rail line which has trains to Xi'an (eight hours), Zhongwei, Yinchuan (six hours) and Lanzhou (three and half hours). Sleeper tickets are impossible to get and most of the trains leave in the middle of the night. It would just be easier to take the bus.

Getting Around

By Car

Taxi is pretty good for getting to nearby sights like Xumi Shan.

By Public Transport

There are small minibuses going around town.

By Foot

Guyuan is pretty small so walking around is the best option for transport.

Eat

There is an underground grocery store in the center of town. There are several restaurants near the bus station. There is a night market in the alley behind the bus station that extends for several blocks.

Drink

On the restaurant street there are several local watering holes. It is also possible to buy beer at most of the little stores around the bus station.

Sleep

Budget

• There is an old state owned hotel just to the right of the bus station. 50 RMB rooms are very basic with a share bathroom and would not allow foreigners. 80 RMB rooms have two beds, tv, private bath, hot water in the evenings and heating. 120 RMB rooms are more comfortable then the 80 RMB rooms with larger beds and a larger bathroom.

Mid Range

• Liupanshan Binguan (六盘山宾馆) 77 Zhongshan Jie, is a slightly nicer hotel just past the state owned hotel and at the intersection. Twin rooms start at 80 RMB.
• Guyuan Binguan (固原宾馆) Zhengfu Jie, is the main hotel in Guyuan and short cab ride from the bus station. It has dorms starting at 25 RMB and twins starting at 120 RMB going to 260 RMB.

Keep Connected

Internet

There are several Internet Cafés scattered around town and near the bus station.

Phone

Many of the shops near the bus station have calling centers.

Post

There is a post office right next to the bus station.