Wushan County 武山县

History

The Eastern Han set up Xinxing county (新兴县) here. The Northern Song built Ningyuan fort (宁远寨), which the Yuan raised to Ningyuan county. In 1914 the county was renamed Wushan because another Ningyuan county existed in Hunan (湖南). The county government counts 36 ancient sites of the Yangshao (仰韶), Majiayao (马家窑) and other cultures on both banks of the Wei, four national and seven provincial protected sites, and more than 120 intangible-heritage items, among them the Wushan rotating drum (武山旋鼓) on the national list.

What to see

The Shuiliandong Grottoes (水帘洞石窟), begun under the Northern Zhou, were made a national key protected site in 2001. Their cliff relief is billed as Asia's foremost, and the county promotes a giant cliff Buddha as the world's foremost. The Muti Temple Grottoes (木梯寺石窟), cut in the Han and rebuilt in the Ming, are also a national protected site and form a 3A scenic area. The county also promotes the Tangyu hot spring (汤峪温泉), which it bills as unique in north-west China, together with Laojun Mountain Forest Park (老君山森林公园), Luban Mountain (鲁班山) and Woniu Mountain Forest Park (卧牛山森林公园).

Serpentine, known as Yuanyang jade (鸳鸯玉), comes from around Shandan (山丹镇). Jade carving is a local industry making luminous cups, tea and wine sets and ornaments, and a "Double Dragon Cup" made of Yuanyang jade was a Chinese state gift to the King of Nepal in 1982.

Food and local products

Niangpi (酿皮) is made from a wheat dough washed in water to separate starch from gluten; the starch batter is steamed, cut into strips and served with chilli oil, garlic, mustard, vinegar and sesame paste. Youquanquan (油圈圈) is a ridged ring-shaped baked bread sold in the county town and Luomen (洛门), where dandan noodles are also concentrated. Guanguan tea (罐罐茶) is brewed in a small pot on the stove, and jiangshui (浆水), at its best when made from sow thistle (苦苣) in spring, goes into noodles and soups. Wushan calls itself China's home of Chinese chives; its chive buns are usually filled with egg and minced meat. Simen (四门) town is known for its vinegar.

Highlights

• Shuiliandong Grottoes 水帘洞石窟: Begun under the Northern Zhou; national key protected site since 2001.
• Muti Temple Grottoes 木梯寺石窟: Cut in the Han and rebuilt in the Ming; national protected site and 3A scenic area.
• Yuanyang jade 鸳鸯玉: Serpentine from around Shandan; a Double Dragon Cup made of it was a 1982 state gift to the King of Nepal.
• Simen tribute vinegar 四门贡醋: Vinegar from Simen town, promoted as one of the county's ten products.