Zhongwei history

The history of Zhongwei is the chronicle of a strategic outpost at the crossroads of civilizations, whose very name literally translates as "Central Garrison". For centuries, the city played a key role in defence and trade on the northern frontiers of China.

Foundation and First Mentions

The first settlements on the territory of modern Zhongwei appeared during the Qin Empire (221–206 BC), when these lands were included in one of the commanderies. However, the decisive moment in the city's history was the reign of the Ming Dynasty. In 1403, the Ningxia Central Garrison (Ningxia Zhongwei) was officially established here, giving the city its current name. This event marked the birth of Zhongwei as an important military and administrative centre designed to defend against nomad raids.

Key Development Factors

The city owes its growth and development to a unique combination of geographical and political factors:

• Strategic Position: Zhongwei is located on a bend of the Yellow River, which served as a natural barrier, and at the very edge of the Tengger Desert. Such a location was ideal for defence.
• The Silk Road: The city was situated on one of the routes of this legendary trade path, making it an important transit point for caravans. This contributed not only to economic prosperity but also to active cultural exchange.
• Military Significance: The proximity to sections of the Great Wall of China, built during the Ming era, highlights its role as a key defensive outpost on the empire's northern borders.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Originally created as a military garrison, Zhongwei eventually transformed into a bustling centre. Its economy was built on transit trade provided by the Silk Road and on agriculture that flourished in the oases along the fertile banks of the Yellow River. The constant flow of merchants and the proximity to nomadic peoples contributed to the formation of a distinctive culture in which the traditions of different nations mingled.

Timeline of Zhongwei's History

• Qin Dynasty (221–206 BC): The territory of the future city first becomes part of the centralized Chinese empire as part of the Beidi Commandery.
• Western Han Dynasty (206 BC – 9 AD): The lands become part of the Anding Commandery.
• 2nd Century AD: The region is captured by the Xiongnu nomadic tribes, establishing their rule for a long period.
• Northern Wei Dynasty (386–534): Chinese forces regain control over these lands, which become part of the Minsha Commandery.
• 11th Century: The territory becomes part of the Tangut state of Western Xia.
• 13th Century: After the destruction of the Western Xia state by the Mongols, the lands become part of the Yingli prefecture.
• 1403: During the Ming Dynasty, the Ningxia Central Garrison (Ningxia Zhongwei) is established here, giving the city its name and defining its strategic importance.
• 1724: Under the Qing Dynasty, the military garrison is transformed into a civil administrative unit — Zhongwei County within Gansu Province.
• 1929: Zhongwei County becomes part of the newly formed Ningxia Province.
• 1933: The eastern part of the county is separated into a distinct Zhongning County.
• 1958: The Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region is established, and Zhongwei becomes part of it.
• 2003: By a decree of the State Council of the PRC, Zhongwei receives the status of a prefecture-level city, marking a new stage in its modern development.

Key Development Stages

From an ancient garrison to a modern technological hub, Zhongwei has undergone an impressive journey of transformation. Its history is rich in events that defined not only the appearance of the city but also its economic and cultural significance for all of China.

• Construction of the Baotou-Lanzhou Railway (1958): This event was revolutionary for the region. This main line was the first in China to be laid through a desert. It not only connected the north-western territories with the rest of the country but also spurred the development of unique technologies to combat desertification.
• Creation of "Straw Checkerboards": To protect the railway from the shifting sands of the Tengger Desert, engineers and scientists developed an ingenious method — a system of straw squares fixed into the sand. This technology, created at an experimental base in the Shapotou district, allowed for the stabilization of dunes and became a world-renowned example of successfully combating desert encroachment.
• Transformation into a Tourism Centre: Success in taming the desert turned Shapotou, a district on the outskirts of Zhongwei, into a popular tourist zone. The unique combination of sand dunes and the Yellow River, along with entertainment such as sandboarding and rafting on sheepskin rafts, attracts thousands of travellers here annually.
• Official Formation of the Prefecture-Level City (2003): By a decree of the State Council of the PRC, the prefecture-level city of Zhongwei was formed, strengthening its administrative status and facilitating further urban and economic planning.
• Development of Specialized Agriculture: The city became known for growing high-quality selenium-rich watermelons and Goji berries. These products, thanks to unique soil conditions, gained popularity throughout the country and became an important item of local export.
• Becoming the "Cloud Capital": Since 2013, thanks to a cool and dry climate as well as access to green energy, Zhongwei has begun to develop rapidly as one of China's largest data processing and cloud computing centres. Giants such as Amazon have located their facilities here, attracting investment and turning the former agricultural region into a digital hub.

The architectural appearance of Zhongwei represents a unique combination of ancient traditions and bold modernity. The city, which grew from a military garrison on the edge of the desert, today demonstrates a contrast between centuries-old temple complexes and the futuristic buildings of the "Cloud Capital" of China.

The historical core of Zhongwei's urban planning is inextricably linked to its defensive function. In the vicinity of the city, sections of the Great Wall of China, erected during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), have been preserved. These earthen ramparts and watchtowers, although weathered by time, serve as a reminder of the region's strategic past. The main architectural gem of the old city is the Gaomiao Temple. This amazing complex, built in the 15th century, represents a rare example of syncretism, uniting Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist shrines within one territory. Its multi-tiered pagodas with curved roofs, bright paintings, and intricate wood carvings create a unique and picturesque ensemble rising above the old quarters.

Zhongwei's modern urban development reflects its new status as a technological and tourist centre. Traditional adobe structures have been replaced by functional and large-scale constructions. The most striking example is the massive data centres built for giants like Amazon. These buildings, distinguished by minimalist industrial architecture, form a new, technological landscape on the outskirts of the city. At the same time, tourism infrastructure is developing, especially in the Shapotou area, where modern hotels and entertainment complexes are appearing, harmoniously integrated into the unique landscape of the desert and the Yellow River. Thus, the architectural history of Zhongwei is a visual chronicle of its transformation from an ancient outpost into a digital oasis of the 21st century.

Notable Figures and Their Contribution to Zhongwei's History

The history of Zhongwei is woven from the efforts of both great rulers and nameless collectives, whose labour and ingenious decisions defined the city's fate. From imperial decrees to modern innovations, the contributions of these individuals and groups formed the unique character of this strategic centre on the desert border.

• Emperor Zhu Di (reigned 1402–1424). This Ming Dynasty ruler is considered the "founding father" of the city. By his decree in 1403, the Ningxia Central Garrison (Ningxia Zhongwei) was established, giving Zhongwei its name and initial purpose. The creation of the outpost was part of a grand strategy to strengthen the northern borders of China and protect trade routes from raids by nomadic tribes, laying the foundation for the city's centuries-old military and administrative history.

• Scientists and Builders of the Baotou-Lanzhou Railway (1950s). This anonymous group of engineers and workers performed a true miracle by laying China's first railway through the Tengger Desert. To protect the tracks from encroaching sands, they developed and implemented the famous "straw checkerboard" system. Their innovative work not only ensured transport connections in the region but also turned the Shapotou district into a global centre for combating desertification, receiving recognition from the UN.

• Architects and Engineers of the "Cloud Capital" (2010s – Present). These modern specialists are behind Zhongwei's transformation into one of the leading data processing centres in China. They ingeniously utilized the region's unique climatic conditions — coolness and dryness — to create energy-efficient digital infrastructure. Thanks to their work, technology giants, including Amazon, have located their facilities in the city, opening a new, high-tech chapter in the history of the ancient city.