4.The Helan Mountains: recording the long history

The Helan Mountains are located at the junction of the Ningxia Hui autonomous region and Inner Mongolia autonomous region, which was a site of important strategic frontier defense in the past. The Xiongnu, Xianbei, Tubo and other ancient northern ethnic groups lived here, hunting animals and raising their families. They engraved scenes from life on the rock of the Helan Mountains, which includes nomadic life, sacrifices to the gods and animal and human images as well as knives, axes, stone chains, traps and carts. More than 20 engravings are in the hinterland of the Helan Mountains. In place of characters, these paintings record the aesthetic standards, social customs and the joy of life of the people at that time, fully embodying old human civilization.

 

 

The author sits beside a brook at the foot of Helan Mountain. Photo provided by Yue LinFan

 

 

Water from Helan Mountain is clean enough to drink directly. [Photo / Yue LinFan]

 

 

Engravings are seen at Helan Mountain. [Photo / Yue LinFan]

 

 

Engravings are seen at Helan Mountain. [Photo / Yue LinFan]