From the army veteran Du Licheng, who became engaged at 16 in the Liberation War, to the imam of Nanguan Mosque where, on July 1, 1997, several Hongkong Muslims came to celebrate their return to the motherland; from the famous writer Zhang Xianliang, who set up a "Chinese Hollywood" .

My tenth journey in Ningxia will have been the longest and the one I will have completed with the most meticulous observation, as this time it was a matter of collecting stories and accounts to share with you, the readers.

After introducing the wonderful people of China's largest region, Xinjiang, last year, I focused on the smallest one of the country's continent. How rich are the human resources and how great and moving were the stories the Ningxia people had to tell me! From the army veteran Du Licheng, who became engaged at 16 in the Liberation War, to the imam of Nanguan Mosque where, on July 1, 1997, several Hongkong Muslims came to celebrate their return to the motherland; from the famous writer Zhang Xianliang, who set up a "Chinese Hollywood," to the four Hui or Han university students who, even though very young, have already performed kind and memorable acts; from Bai Chunlan, an illiterate peasant who, in 28 years, planted 100,000 trees by herself, to Wang Youde who, since 1985, has led teams of workers in transforming the desert into orchards and forests, while improving at the same time hundreds of peoples' lives. So many other people's stories will surprise, entertain, and move you.

By road, rail, or air, Ningxia has become easily accessible, and its concentration of special museums and tourist sites makes it an ideal destination for learning, having fun,and enjoying the pleasure of delicious food. Once you glance through these pages, you will not be able to resist the urge to go and discover these wonderful people of Ningxia,right where they are.

Introduction

The Xixia

Du Licheng, a Perfect Faithfulness 

Zhang Xianliang, 2 2 Years of Suffering

The West China Hollywood

Li Fanwen, Researching a Mystery

Ningxia, Small and Unknown

Wang Youde and the Fight Against the Desert

Yinchuan, the Silver Earth City

Pan Zipei and Min Xiangye: Ningxia by Choice

Helanshan: the Rock Art and Other Pleasures

Dr. Li Jichun, Between Women

Who Are the Hui?

Najiahu, a Typically Hui Village

A New and Extraordinary Museum

Li Hongyi, Doubly Autodidact

Cai Xiaoqin, a Capable Woman

Zhang Qidu, Preserving Culture

A Distant Past

Bao Jingui: Islam in Ningxia, a Model for the World

Religion in Ningxia

Four Students Talk About University Life

Wang Zhihong, Theater for All

Liu Ping and the Qinqiang

Sun Xianmei and Social Harmony

Zhou Jiang, Optimist in Adversity

Yu Xiulan, the Voice of Hui Women

Zhuang Zhongzhuan, an Unforgettable Experience

Marvelous Tongxin Once More

Xu Zhigang, Different Vision of a Same Destiny

Breathtaking Landscapes Between Haiyuan and Xiji

Attending a Hui Wedding

Ma Putao's Nimble Fingers

Zhang Wenhua and Islamic Food Processing

Zhang Kezhi and the Fruit of Utopia

Zhang Jinshan, from the Desert to the Glass

Bai Chunlan - When Hunger Gives Courage

Coal

Cashmere

Mao Qiang, from Teacher to Restaurateur

Tourism, One of the Major Industries

Man-made Lakes in Shizuishan

Conclusion