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