Linxia Travel Guide: The Little Mecca on the Silk Road and the Yellow River Gorges

1.Introduction: The Golden Post on the Silk Road Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, historically known as Hezhou, is located in the southwest of central Gansu Province. It sits at the geographical intersection of the Loess Plateau and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, serving as a vital commercial hub and a strategic passage on the ancient Silk Road. It borders the Tibetan Gannan Prefecture to the south and Qinghai Province to the west. Historically, it was known as the "dry wharf" of the west, a bustling center for tea and horse trading between the Central Plains and the Tibetan regions. Linxia is rich in history and ethnic diversity. It is one of the two Hui Autonomous Prefectures in China. The population includes Han, Hui, Dongxiang, Bonan, Salar, Tibetan, and Tu peoples, with the Dongxiang and Bonan being unique ethnic minorities found primarily in this region. This diversity has created a unique cultural tapestry where the call to prayer from mosques blends with the folk songs ("Hua'er") of the mountains.

2.Bingling Temple Grottoes: A Gem on the Yellow River The crown jewel of Linxia’s tourism is undoubtedly the Bingling Temple Grottoes (Bingling Si), located in Yongjing County. The name "Bingling" is a transliteration of the Tibetan "Xianbalang," meaning "land of 100,000 Buddhas" or "thousand Buddhas". These grottoes are carved into the steep sandstone cliffs of Jishi Mountain along the northern bank of the Yellow River. Construction began in the Western Qin Dynasty (420 AD) and continued through the Wei, Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, spanning over 1,600 years. There are 183 niches, 694 stone statues, 82 clay sculptures, and approximately 900 square meters of murals remaining today. The most striking feature is the Maitreya Buddha, a colossal statue sitting 27 meters high. The upper half is carved from natural rock, while the lower half is molded clay. Unlike the dry desert setting of Dunhuang, Bingling Temple is best accessed by boat across the Liujiaxia Reservoir. The journey itself is a scenic wonder, navigating through the "Yellow River Three Gorges" where the water turns from muddy yellow to a surprising turquoise blue, flanked by dramatic Danxia landforms and red cliffs that reflect beautifully in the water.

3.The Yellow River Three Gorges: A Landscape Gallery The Yellow River runs through the northern part of Linxia, creating the magnificent landscape of the Yellow River Three Gorges: Bingling Gorge, Liujiaxia Gorge, and Yanguoxia Gorge.

• 4.Liujiaxia Reservoir: This massive body of water is often called the "Plateau Pearl." It is a pivotal hydroelectric engineering feat in China. The reservoir regulates the Yellow River, turning the typically turbulent waters calm and clear in this section.
• 5.Taiji Island: Located in Yongjing, this area features wetlands and ponds where the Yellow River makes an "S" curve, resembling the Taiji symbol. It is a haven for migratory birds and a stark contrast to the arid landscapes often associated with Northwest China.

"Little Mecca": The Center of Islamic Culture Linxia City (the prefecture's capital) is renowned for its intense Islamic atmosphere, earning it the nickname "China's Little Mecca." The city skyline is punctuated by the domes and minarets of numerous mosques.

• 6.Architectural Marvels: The mosques here often feature a unique architectural style that blends traditional Chinese palace aesthetics (flying eaves, bracket sets, and glazed tiles) with Islamic functional requirements. The Nanguan Mosque and Laohua Mosque are prime examples of this fusion.
• 7.Brick Carving: Linxia is famous for its "Hezhou Brick Carving." This exquisite folk art is widely used to decorate the screen walls, gates, and eaves of mosques and private residences. The carvings are intricate, featuring flowers, birds, and geometric patterns, displaying a high level of craftsmanship that has been passed down for centuries.
• 8.Eight-B坊 Thirteen Lanes (Bafang Shisanxiang): This historic block in Linxia City constitutes a living museum of Hui culture. Walking through these alleys, visitors can admire the traditional courtyard homes, smell the aroma of street food, and observe the daily lives of the local Hui people.

9.Fossils and Prehistory: The Cradle of Ancient Life Beyond human history, Linxia is a significant site for paleontology. Hezheng County within the prefecture is home to the Hezheng Paleozoological Museum. It houses a world-class collection of late Cenozoic fossils. The region has yielded fossils of the "Hezheng Sheep" (a prehistoric muskox relative), ancient elephants, and three-toed horses. The sheer quantity and preservation quality of these fossils provide a window into the ancient environment of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau millions of years ago.

10.Folk Arts: The Home of Hua'er Linxia is known as the "Hometown of Hua'er" in China. "Hua'er" is a type of high-pitched folk song popular among the ethnic groups in Gansu, Qinghai, and Ningxia. In Linxia, particularly during the Songmingyan Festival (in Hezheng County) and the Lianhua Mountain Festival, thousands of locals gather in the mountains to sing these songs in an impromptu and competitive manner. These festivals are vibrant displays of local dress, emotion, and musical talent, recognized as part of the world's Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Conclusion Linxia is a place of convergence. It is where the Yellow River meets the Tao River, creating a clear line between muddy and clear waters. It is where Tibetan Buddhism (at the borders of Gannan) meets Islam. It is where the rugged plateau meets the fertile river valley. For travelers, Linxia offers a journey that is visually stunning with its red cliffs and blue waters, and culturally profound with its deep religious roots and warm ethnic hospitality.