Trade town turns to tourism
Updated: 2013-07-11 02:25
By Zhang Yue (China Daily)
|
|||||||||
|
Most local people live in yaodong, or cave houses, one of the most dominant features of the Loess Plateau along the Yellow River. Kuang Linhua / China Daily |
Qikou is a quaint town along the Yellow River. Zhang Yue explores the once vital trading point that is striving to be a tourism spot.
Unlike many travel destinations, Qikou in Shanxi province has never been a place full of color.
The ancient town sits along the Yellow River, about three hours' drive from Taiyuan, the provincial capital. In spite of its proximity to the river, Qikou experiences drought almost all year round.
Home to a population of about 30,000 people, the place is also known as one of the "ancient towns still in existence".
Most local people live in yaodong, or caves, and roads are paved with flagstones.
The history of Qikou dates back to the Neolithic period, and the town was named after its geographic location.
The word "qi" in Chinese literally means rip current of the Yellow River, which is formed by fluctuations in the river. The riverbed can reduce from 400 meters to 80 meters, which causes a sudden rapid currents on the Yellow River and made this stretch of water one of the most challenging places for transportation in ancient times.
- Safety fears after iPhone 4 explodes
- China donates wax figure of Kim Jong-il to DPRK
- Top 10 places for camping in China
- Thousands pay final tribute to US firemen
- Dozens feared dead in Quebec derailment
- Breathe deep, this is the real thing
- Families of crash victims in SF
- Rainstorms cause severe flooding and landslides
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Hospital ship lends a helping hand |
Elderly willpower gets a boost |
Pain lingers after Xinjiang attack |
Tunnel builders sweat it out on new rail line |
Graduates face grim hunt for job |
Parents learn a lesson on homes |
Today's Top News
Dialogue starts with calls for closer cooperation
China issues timetable for govt info disclosure
ROK, DPRK end morning session amid differences
Boston bomber to make first court appearance
Pilots in air crash relied on automatic equipment
Chinese companies could face US delisting
Watchdog: Trans-fat levels meet standards
IMF cuts China's, world's growth
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |