Shuidonggou

水洞沟

The earliest excavated Paleolithic site in China, combined with the Ming Great Wall, the Hidden Soldiers' Caves, and yardang canyons. A multi-layered scenic area where you can travel through 30,000 years in one day.

Shuidonggou lies in Linghe Town, Lingwu City, about 30 km east of central Yinchuan. In 1923, French scholars Teilhard de Chardin and Émile Licent excavated Late Paleolithic stone tools and animal fossils here, making it China's earliest discovered and excavated Paleolithic site. It dates to roughly 40,000 to 30,000 years ago and is known as the “birthplace of Chinese prehistoric archaeology.” The scenic area combines prehistoric remains with Ming military heritage and yardang landforms. The site museum uses scene reconstructions to show life in ancient times. Zhangsan Inn, where the original excavators stayed, is also here. The Ming Great Wall ruins and Hongshan Fort, a Ming military garrison, stand nearby. The Hidden Soldiers' Caves are underground military tunnels dug beneath the Great Wall, about 3 km long, with traps, hidden weapons, and an arsenal. They are the most entertaining experience here. Luhua Valley, Hongshan Lake, and the yardang canyons can be explored by boat, camel cart, and shuttle bus.

Admission is about 60 yuan. Combo tickets, including boats, camel carts, and donkey carts, cost about 150 to 200 yuan. Allow 3 to 4 hours. The route is mostly fixed: start at the museum, then travel by various vehicles to the Hidden Soldiers' Caves and Hongshan Fort.

Getting there: A chartered car from central Yinchuan takes about 40 minutes. Tourist shuttle buses run during peak season.

Tips: The Hidden Soldiers' Caves are narrow, low, and dim, so those with claustrophobia and older visitors should take care. The canyon area has no shade, so bring water and sun protection. Vehicles in the scenic area often require waiting in line. It suits visitors interested in archaeology and the Great Wall, as well as families. Coordinates are estimates for the scenic area.

Shuidonggou

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