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DF-26 PLARF Facility - Alxa Zuoqi, Inner Mongolia

Alxa Left Banner (Alashan Zuoqi),
Alxa League (Alashan Prefecture), Inner Mongolia, China
38°49'14.8"N 105°36'14.4"E
38.820768, 105.604012

Alxa Left Banner, also named Alxa Zuoqi is in the west of Inner Mongolia. The population totals 150,000, wtih an area of 80,412 square kilometers. The flag has suffered from sandstorms due to the expansion of its desertification area. In addition, the banner has many illegal coal mines, but the local government has paid attention to this trend and rectified it. The land of Alxa Left Banner today has traces of human activities as early as the Neolithic Age. In the Spring and Autumn Period, it belonged to the Qin Dynasty. In Mongolian, it means "golden horse". It means "elbow". In Mongolian, east means left.

Azuo Banner is located in the western part of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and the western foot of the Helan Mountain. It has a total area of 80,412 square kilometers and governs 4 streets, 9 towns, and 6 Sumu. Azuo Banner is one of the 19 ethnic border flags in the whole region. It intersects Ningxia in the east, Gansu in the west and south, and Mongolia in the north. The border is 188.68 kilometers long. The banner has a total population of 143,000, with 28 ethnic groups including Mongolian, Han, Hui, and Manchu. It is an area inhabited by ethnic minorities dominated by Mongolians and the Han majority.

The Beijing-Lanzhou Railway Line, the 110 National Road , and the Ganwu Line pass through the territory. The three black roads of Wuba, Baji and Dayin form the main transportation artery. The Wuhai to Bayanhot and Yinchuan to Bayanhot highways will soon be upgraded to first-class highways. Both Yinchuan Hedong Airport and Wuhai Airport are within 130 kilometers.

At the beginning of the year, in order to further promote the unity and cooperation between the military and the police, to form a fighting friendship, and to promote efficient development together, on the afternoon of January 2, 2020, the traffic police detachment of the Alxa League Public Security Bureau and the 96791 unit launched a joint activity. Some officers, soldiers and civilian police participated in the activity.

Through joint construction activities, it will further promote support for national defense and army building, promote all aspects of security and service guarantee work, and make positive contributions to promoting economic and social development, enhancing ethnic unity, maintaining social stability, and ensuring border security.

A first test launch of the OS-X1 rocket took place in May 2018 from a site at Alxa in northwest China. The solid motor burned for 35 seconds.

The DF-26 (Dong Feng-26) is a Chinese intermediate-range ballistic missile, a longer-ranged version of China’s DF-21 MRBM. One brigade of at least 16 dual-capable DF-16 missiles is currently deployed with the PLARF in China. The brigade is stationed at Base 54 near Luoyang in Henan province. a further twelve DF-26 TELs have also been deployed at a PLARF training range near Alxa in China’s Inner Mongolia region. This base is reported to be located "just north of Alxa" but in faat it appears to be to the west.

Sean O’Connor reported in 2019 that "DigitalGlobe imagery captured on 09 January 2019 showed 12 DF-26 intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) transporter-erector-launchers (TELs) at a previously undisclosed training range of the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF) located north of Alxa in China's Inner Mongolia region.... The training range at Alxa was constructed between 2016 and 2018. It features a garrison complex, a probable missile storage and handling facility, and over 100 prepared launch positions."

In 2013, the total sown area of crops in Alxa Left Banner was 24,964 hectares, an increase of 1.16% over the same period of the previous year. Among them, the sown area of grain crops was 17,429 hectares, an increase of 2.06% over the previous year; the sown area of cash crops was 7,535 hectares, a decrease of 0.86% over the same period last year; the sown area of forage grass was 1,588 hectares, which was 25.61 times the previous year.

The terrain of Alxa Left Banner is higher in the southeast and lower in the northwest, with an average elevation of 800 to 1500 meters and a highest elevation of 3556 meters. Alxa Left Banner is 495 kilometers long from north to south, 214 kilometers wide from east to west, and covers an area of 80,400 square kilometers. The total population is nearly 150,000. The usable pastures are 46,000 square kilometers, mainly desert and semi-desert grasslands. The desert covers an area of 34,000 square kilometers, mainly consisting of Tengger, Ulanbu and two large deserts. Alxa Left Banner is a temperate desert and arid zone, with a typical continental climate, characterized by heavy sandstorms, aridity, little rain, sufficient sunshine, and strong evaporation. The annual rainfall is 80-220 mm and the annual evaporation is 2900-3300 mm. The sunshine time is 3316 hours, the annual average temperature is 7.2 degrees Celsius, and the frost-free period is 120 to 180 days.

Tengger, Ulanbu and two deserts traverse the entire territory, and the deserts and sandy land account for two-thirds of the total area of the flag. There are currently 69 million acres of usable pasture, more than 300,000 acres of arable land, 3.5 million acres of natural Haloxylon ammodendron forest, 7.24 million acres of white thorns, and 600,000 acres of primary secondary forests in the Helan Mountain National Nature Reserve. It is a natural ecological barrier for the autonomous region and even the northwest.

The territory is rich in resources. 61 types of minerals have been discovered, with 333 producing areas. The proven reserves of anthracite, lake salt, granite, and phosphorus rank first in Inner Mongolia. The proven reserves of anthracite are 700 million tons, the proven reserves of bituminous coal are 1.07 billion tons, the reserves of lake salt are 130 million tons, and the reserves of granite are 260 million cubic meters. There are still 85% of the whole flag that has not been subjected to detailed geological survey. Rich in wind and solar resources, the reserves of wind energy are about 60 million kilowatts, and the reserves of solar energy resources are about 206 million kilowatts.

Tengger Desert Tonghu Tourist Area (Alxa Left Banner AAA Tourist Attraction) is located in the territory of Tengger Sumu, A Left Banner, A League. It is a desert lake basin with unique natural landscape. Tonghu Tourist Area and Inner Mongolia Beishaozi Desert Holiday Camp are located here. It faces the south of Ningxia Zhongwei Shapotou with convenient transportation. The Tonghu tourist area is surrounded by sand dunes, green grass, lush forests, fresh air, flocks of cattle and sheep, and migratory birds. The newly-built yurt group, colorful camping tents, leisure cafes and floating camp flags, stringed lanterns to form a piece, the ethnic customs is rich and picturesque.

Driving to tourist attractions, the artificial sand control projects on both sides of the way out are magnificent and impressive; reed flowers swaying in the lake area, wild birds frolicking, quiet and magnificent early in the morning, horseback riding, hiking, or camel driving in the grassland area You appreciate the customs of the prairie people and enjoy the swaying of the "boat of the desert". Traveling in the ascendant, visitors can take a camel to go northward, go deep into the desert hinterland, and witness the Hansheng shrub population and artificial oasis, as well as the magic of Qingxi River Spring, which is full of adventure.

Eat hand-cooked meat, drink horse milk wine, listen to toast songs, enjoy the deliciousness of buttered milk crust and cheese fried rice, and feel the real Mongolian style. Lying on the sandy slope at night, the desert is the bed, the sky is the tent, watching the sky full of stars, accepting the baptism of the breeze, you will surely make your heart shining, relaxed and happy, and very comfortable. The bonfire party is another beautiful scenery, or dancing or singing, free and full of fun.

The complex composition of vegetation on the surface of Tonghu Lake, mountain-shaped sand dunes, plant landscaping, and lake sandy colors attract many tourists for sightseeing and vacation, and the development prospects are broad. A visit here will definitely make you linger and reluctant to return.

All ethnic groups in Alxa Left Banner have their own religions. In the history of Alxa, there are mainly five religions: Lamaism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism and Catholicism. Since the establishment of the banner, the Mongolian people have believed in Lamaism, which has been passed down through generations, and continues to this day. There are many lama temples in Alxa Zuoqi. Before the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Alxa Left Banner had 46 temples and churches, including 37 Lama Temples, 7 mosques and 1 Han Buddhist Temple. The Lama Temple was built on a grand scale and exquisitely designed. Mongolians who believe in Islam: There are some Mongolians who believe in Islam in Alxa Left Banner (local people call it "Mongol Huihui" or "Cangtouhuihui"). Their language, writing, production and life style are basically the same as Mongolians The beliefs and customs are the same as those of the Hui ethnic group. In addition to religiously believing in Islam and participating in Islamic activities, Mongolians who believe in Islam also participate in various temple fairs and sutras of Lamaism, but they only admit that they are Muslims and do not. He is a Lamaist. In addition to the three major Islamic festivals, Mongolians who believe in Islam also celebrate the Spring Festival, New Year's Day, Mid-Autumn Festival and other traditional festivals like other ethnic groups.

Before liberation, Mongolian costumes of Alxa were divided into official clothes, casual clothes and lama clothes. The style of official uniforms is similar to that of clear gowns; Lama uniforms are clothing worn by lamas who believe in Tibetan Buddhism and their followers; casual clothes include gowns, cotton gowns, waistcoats, and large leather jackets. There are many men's clothes with unilateral inlays, women's clothes are bright and beautiful, and long gowns or waistcoats are inlaid with embroidered lace or lamella. The Mongolian robe is also decorated with various trimmings, which makes it look magnificent and luxurious.

The Mongolian diet can be roughly divided into three categories, namely grain, milk and meat. Dairy food is mainly milk tea, yogurt, cheese, butter, milk skin, and milk wine. Meats include roasted whole lamb, lamb back, and hand-caught lamb. Roast whole lamb is a famous dish unique to Alxa area. Most of the high-quality native species of Mianjie sheep are slaughtered, scalded, trimmed, and stuffed, and then roasted. A special oven is used for baking, and the local unique dry shuttle is used as fuel. The roasted whole lamb is in a prone position, the skin is yellow and red in the middle, the outside is crispy and delicious, the flesh is soft and tender, and it is fat but not greasy. It is the most high-end food for the Alashan people to entertain guests.

In the old days, the marriage of men and women was decided by the parents, and the mediators said the marriage. After getting engaged, you can choose an auspicious day to get married. The locals generally think that three, six, and nine are auspicious days, and they pay attention to "seven do not go in and eight do not go out." On the day of marriage, the man and the woman hold a banquet and entertain each other. After the man’s marrying team arrives at the woman’s house, the bride opens her face (also known as "kaiyan", which means that the hair on her face is twisted with a thread), dresses up, bids farewell to her parents and relatives, and masks her face with a red scarf When starting the journey, when the bride arrives at the man’s house, she must set off firecrackers. After the bride washes her face and changes clothes, the bridegroom and bride sing and worship their parents, elders, and guests in turn. After worship, the bridegroom and the bride enter the bridal chamber.

At night, both men and women, young and old, can enter the bridal chamber to see the bride, tease the bride, and call it "noisy bridal chamber". After the guests are separated, someone will "make the bed" for the bride and groom. The bed is sprinkled with red dates, peanuts, walnuts, melon seeds, candies, etc. It means "giving birth early, sweet and sweet". Early the next morning, after the bridegroom and bride paid their respects to their parents, they both returned to their natal homes, commonly known as "return to the door." After 1950, the old marriage customs gradually abolished and developed towards civilization and simplicity. Young men and women fall in love freely and have independent marriages, but there are still customs such as proposing marriages, fixing marriages, navigating the bridal chamber, and returning to the door.

The Alxa Mongolians are known for their hospitality. The whole family of guests went out to greet the guests, and the host and guest greeted each other. The greetings were mostly "Tasai Yin Bainu (How are you?)", "Sai Yin, Ta Sai Yin (good, hello)". Before the founding of the People’s Republic of China, “fighting a thousand” was often used to ask for peace. Men’s right knee bends forward, his left leg is bent backward, his upper body is bent forward, and his right hand is drooping. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, gradually switched to handshake. When the guests enter the yurt, they must raise the left side of the door curtain and cannot step on the threshold. After entering the yurt, they must sit on the right side (that is, the west side). The north side is the upper side. Most of them are seated by the elders. Bows and exchanges, the interest reaches the tip of the nose so that it can be returned. At the same time, they exchange greetings and greetings. For example, to pay respects to parents, elders, or on festive occasions, use Hada to show respect. After the host’s offering, the guest should connect with his right hand, and the host’s tribute must not be pushed back. After drinking the tea, the host wants to toast the guest, the guest needs to drink it with both hands, and then replies to the host. During the banquet, songs that praised friendship are often used to help each other and toast. When the guests say goodbye, they are often seen off by the family, and the host and the guest say "Bayel too" (goodbye).

There are many taboos in Alashan Mongolian customs. For example, avoid bringing horsewhips, ropes and wooden sticks into the yurt; avoid throwing garbage into the fire, pouring water and spitting; avoid stepping over the fire, pot lids, and basins; avoid holding tools or carrying garbage to face each other; when eating meat The knife should not be pointed at the guest, nor can the knife be reversed; when giving a knife or scissors, do not hand the tip of the knife to the other party; seeing a fire in front of the door or signs such as red cloth on the door means that there are patients in this house Or give birth to pregnant women, can’t go in; avoid eating dead livestock, donkey, horse, and dog meat; for 3 days after offering the stove, don’t lend or give to others things from home; don’t wear hats or don’t wear hats when toasting and saluting guests. Wear coats; do not defecate in places where animals are tied, and avoid dumping garbage and dust; for example, when someone in your home is traveling, you cannot sweep the floor on the same day, and you cannot throw dust and garbage.