Shuidonggou Scenic Area – A Significant Archaeological Site

The Shuidonggou Ruins Museum, with a building area of 4,308 square meters, is designed to resemble the shape of the stone tools unearthed at the Shuidonggou site. Breaking away from traditional exhibition styles, the museum features large sculptures, a 270-degree panoramic painting, holographic imaging, and immersive scenes with artifacts.

The museum is divided into two sections: the above-ground circular corridor and a sunken exhibition area. The circular corridor includes five units: the introduction, the history of human evolution, Paleolithic sites in China, the Shuidonggou cultural site in Ningxia, and a concluding section. The sunken exhibition area recreates the harmonious fishing and hunting life of the Shuidonggou people 30,000 years ago, alongside dramatic scenes of disasters, including thunderstorms, torrential rain, floods, and earthquakes.

Within the Shuidonggou Ruins Scenic Area, there is a preserved section of the Waterfront Great Wall. After passing through the 3-kilometer-long Luhua Valley, visitors will reach the largest natural lake in the area, Hongshan Lake. This lake, covering 1.8 square kilometers, is a rare sight amidst the unique yardang landforms and earthen forest landscapes. Even more impressive is the Ming Great Wall standing tall on the cliffs across from the lake. In this 7.8 square kilometer area, the wall showcases a strategic military defense system, featuring cliffs, a 15-18 meter deep canyon, hidden soldier tunnels, and fortresses for garrison troops, blending the natural landscape with historic fortifications.

Hongshan Fortress, named after the surrounding Red Mountain region, has an interesting history. In ancient times, the setting sun would cast a red glow over the mountain peaks, giving the area its name “Hongshan” (Red Mountain). Over time, this name was mistakenly pronounced as “Hengshan,” and the fortress became known as “Hengshan Fortress” in historical records. It was part of the Ming Dynasty’s Great Wall defense system and was built in 1503 during the 16th year of Emperor Hongzhi’s reign, under the supervision of Qin Hong, the Minister of War. The fortress has stood for over 500 years.

Originally under the jurisdiction of Lingzhou, Hongshan Fortress was a square structure with 300-meter-long sides. It had one eastern gate with an inner barbican, opening towards the south. The walls were 8 meters high, 7 meters thick at the base, and 4 meters thick at the top. The fortress was constructed following the Ming defensive principle of building one city every 35 kilometers and one fortress every 15 kilometers along the Great Wall.

Between Shuidonggou and Hongshan Fortress lies a 4-kilometer-long canyon, a natural wonder that became a critical part of the Ming Dynasty’s “deep trench, high rampart” defense system. Over centuries, wind and rain eroded the canyon’s sides, forming towering, jagged walls and complex ravines. The thick loess soil, sculpted by rainwater, has created unique formations known as “earth forests.” These formations, shaped by nature’s hand, resemble various figures: monks gazing into the distance as if awaiting visitors, lovers standing close together, respectful couples bowing to one another, and fierce beasts roaring in anger. Each formation sparks the imagination, inviting endless interpretation of their shapes and stories.

Yuanyang Lake, located within the 3-kilometer-long Luhua Valley in the Shuidonggou Scenic Area, offers a tranquil escape. The valley is lined with tall, swaying reeds, creating a peaceful atmosphere as you walk along the paths through the reed marshes. The lake itself covers nearly 300,000 square meters and features four wooden bridges and two pavilions. Birds gather in flocks amid the reeds, and the sight of the shimmering lake, accompanied by the sounds of chirping birds, creates a picturesque scene. It is an ideal spot for relaxation and leisure. Nearby, the green waters of Hongshan Lake ripple gently, and visitors can enjoy views of the majestic ancient Great Wall from a boat, adding to the experience. After disembarking at the pier, you are greeted by another hidden gem—the secluded Shazao Bay. In this bay, sand willow trees flourish, and during June and July, the fragrant blossoms of the sand willows fill the air, leaving visitors enchanted by their scent.

Shuidonggou Village is an ancient semi-subterranean settlement. The village preserves the traditional dwellings created by the northern ancestors, featuring cave-like and semi-underground homes. These homes were dug into loess slopes, with pits of a certain depth forming the foundation. Low walls of earth blocks were built around the edges, rising slightly above ground level. The roofs were made by laying wooden beams and rafters, covered with straw, and plastered with mud to prevent leaks. This form of housing, which originated in times of low productivity, remained in use until the 1960s when it finally disappeared from history.