Minqin County 民勤县

Setting and landscape

The two deserts meet in the north of the county, where sand covers 8,039 km², about half of its land, and the Minqin oasis sits between them like a wedge. Minqin is one of the source areas of China's sandstorms. The county records 3,192.3 hours of sunshine a year. The Hongyashan Reservoir (红崖山水库) is described by the county as Asia's largest man-made desert reservoir.

History

People lived here more than 2,800 years ago, and the county calls itself the source of the Shajing culture (沙井文化). After the Han general Huo Qubing (霍去病) took the Hexi region in 121 BC, a commandery and county were set up here. The county also presents itself as the home of the Han minister Jin Midi (金日磾) and as the place where Su Wu (苏武) herded sheep. The Ming set up Zhenfan Garrison (镇番卫) in 1396, the Qing made it Zhenfan county in 1724, and in 1928 it was renamed Minqin for its "simple customs and hard-working people" (俗朴风醇，人民勤劳).

What to see

Rui'an Fort (瑞安堡) is described by the county as the best-preserved manor complex in north-west China. The county has two 4A scenic areas: the Su Wu Desert scenic area (苏武沙漠景区) and the Shajing culture folk scenic area (沙井文化民俗旅游景区). The Su Wu Desert area lies in the Tengger Desert at the northern foot of Su Wu Mountain (苏武山), about 30 km from the county town, and includes a desert sculpture base and Zhaixing (摘星小镇), a small town themed on desert astronomy. The Shajing Liuhudun site (沙井柳湖墩遗址) and the Dongzhen temple (东镇大庙) are other named sights.

Food and local products

Minqin grows honeydew melons, fennel, sunflowers, pepino (人参果) and sand onion (沙葱), and raises sheep; Minqin mutton, Minqin melons and Minqin licorice are geographical-indication products. Shami jelly (沙米凉粉) is made from shami (沙米): the shami is soaked for 6 to 8 hours and rubbed, its juice is worked out in three rounds of rubbing, and the batter is boiled slowly until it strings from the ladle, then left to set in a clay basin. It is cut into strips and eaten with green garlic, chilli oil, yellow mustard, spring onion and a vinegar sauce.

Highlights

• Rui'an Fort 瑞安堡: Described by the county as the best-preserved manor complex in north-west China.
• Su Wu Desert scenic area 苏武沙漠景区: 4A scenic area in the Tengger Desert at the northern foot of Su Wu Mountain.
• Hongyashan Reservoir 红崖山水库: Described by the county as Asia's largest man-made desert reservoir.
• Shami jelly 沙米凉粉: Soaked shami batter boiled and set, cut into strips and eaten with chilli oil and mustard.