# Shuidonggou Archaeological Site (水洞沟遗址旅游区)

Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region · Northwest, China · Guidebook rating: 4/5
Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/places/shuidonggou-archaeological-site
Language: en

## Key facts

- **Admission:** ¥60
- **Opening hours:** 8：00—18：00
- **Time needed:** 3–4 days
- **Getting there:** Take a bus from Yinchuan South Gate Bus Station (银川南门汽车站) heading toward Eqian Banner, Zhongxinqu, Ciyaopu, Dashuikeng and other destinations.
- **By car:** From Yinchuan, take the Yinqing Expressway and cross the Yellow River Bridge to Linhe Toll Station, then join the Yinqing Expressway service road to reach the site directly.
- **Good for:** History & Culture, Nature

## About Shuidonggou Archaeological Site

One of the richest Late Paleolithic sites discovered in China to date. Excavations show that humans were living here as early as over 30,000 years ago. Within the scenic area are two lakes, Hongshan Lake and Yuanyang Lake, both of which let visitors boat past the Great Wall. According to Ningxia cultural relics and archaeology experts, the site is a garrison fortress of the Ming Great Wall, and it is the most intact three-dimensional military defense complex of the ancient Great Wall discovered in Ningxia.

## Tips from the guidebook

- Treasure hunt: the two new attractions, “Zhangxiaosan Shop” and “Cangbing Cave,” are now open to visitors. In particular, the Ming-dynasty troop-hiding caves, warm in winter and cool in summer and resembling an underground maze, let visitors get their fill of exploration and treasure hunting.

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Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), p. 797. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.
Site: China Trip (https://cnatrip.com) — independent China travel guide in 13 languages.