Anding District 安定区

Setting and landscape

The district lies between 1,671 and 2,577 metres above sea level, with about 375 mm of rain a year and an average temperature of 7°C, which the district government describes as typically arid to semi-arid. Its soil-erosion control follows a five-part model: trees on the hilltops, grass on the slopes, terraced fields around the middle, greenhouses at the foot and check dams in the gullies. Xianghe gully (响河沟), Jiuhua gully (九华沟) and Jinpen Mountain (金盆山) are its showcase catchments.

History

Remains of the Majiayao culture (马家窑文化) are plentiful here, and the finds include the Xin Mang weights and balance (新莽权衡), painted Majiayao pottery and Han-dynasty oracle bones. Under the Tang the area was a horse-trading place of Weizhou (渭州). The walled town of Dingxi was first built in 1081 under the Song, became Dingxi County in 1142 under the Jin and a prefecture in 1216. After an earthquake it was renamed Anding ("peace and stability") in 1352. It became Dingxi County again in 1914 and Anding District in September 2003.

The Chankou uprising (巉口起义) of 1932 was the first armed revolt against the Kuomintang in central Gansu. In 1936 the Red Army passed through on the Long March and set up soviet governments at Neiguanying (内官营) and Xigongyi (西巩驿).

What to see

Red Army history is marked at Neiguanying Martyrs' Park (内官营烈士公园) and the Hepan blocking-battle memorial park (河畔阻击战纪念公园). Other named sights are Xiyan Mountain Ecological Park (西岩山生态公园), the Lijiaxia eco-tourism area (李家峡生态旅游景区), the Qinglan Mountain rural complex (青岚山田园综合体), the Xu Gong Memorial Hall (许公纪念馆), Dingxi Park (定西公园) and Yuhu Park (玉湖公园).

Food and local products

Potatoes are the district's signature crop: it carries the titles "China's potato capital" and "home of the potato in China", and has hosted the China Dingxi Potato Conference every year since 2008. Virus-free Dingxi seed potatoes (定西马铃薯脱毒种薯) are a national geographical-indication product, and Dingxi wide noodles (定西宽粉) carry a national geographical-indication trademark.

Getting oriented

The Baoji–Lanzhou high-speed railway and the Longhai railway cross the district, the Qinglan and Lianhuo expressways meet here, and National Highways 312 and 309 run through it.

Highlights

• Neiguanying Martyrs' Park 内官营烈士公园: Red Army memorial site; a soviet government was set up at Neiguanying in 1936.
• Xiyan Mountain Ecological Park 西岩山生态公园: Named by the district government among its parks and sights.
• Lijiaxia eco-tourism area 李家峡生态旅游景区: Named by the district government among its scenic spots.
• Xin Mang weights and balance 新莽权衡: A relic rated a national treasure, unearthed in the district.
• Dingxi wide noodles 定西宽粉: Carries a national geographical-indication trademark.