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Mention Ningxia and you'll undoubtedly pause for a moment, wondering where it lies within the vast Chinese landscape. As the smallest inland province in China, sandwiched between Inner Mongolia, Gansu, and Shaanxi, it hardly seems to exist.
However, Ningxia, located in the middle and upper reaches of the Yellow River, has long been known as "the Yellow River makes Ningxia rich, and the Jiangnan region on the Great Wall is renowned." However, when searching for Ningxia travel guides online, the internet often features a few fixed attractions, like the "Western Film and Television City," made famous by Stephen Chow's "A Chinese Odyssey," or the mysterious "Western Xia Royal Tombs." These seemingly unrelated stories often lead many to believe that Ningxia offers only a few attractions.
This time, the editor will give you an inventory of some of Ningxia’s literary, petty and fun destinations to break your perception of Ningxia.
Picture @Photo.net
The "Inland Center" full of romance and art
What many people don't know is that Yinchuan is actually located at the geometric center of mainland China. Data shows that an 1,800-kilometer radius from Yinchuan encompasses nearly all of China's provincial capitals, while a 3,000-kilometer radius encompasses most major cities in Asia. However, despite its location in the northwest, Yinchuan isn't entirely rugged. Read on—you'll be surprised to learn that it's also a highly photographable city.
Picture @Photo.net
Located on the west bank of the Yellow River, the museum is the largest single-story contemporary art museum in Northwest China. Designed by waa Architects, the design draws inspiration from the folded rock textures formed by the Yellow River's diverse geological changes over the past 2,000 years. Its stark white architecture and minimalist design have attracted a large number of artistically inclined visitors to check in and view exhibitions. Also located within the park is the International Artists Village, a cluster of red brick buildings nestled close to the river, each featuring large and small circles, making it ideal for filming art films.
Image @Yinchuan Contemporary Art Museum
Tips:
Address: Huaxia Hetu Yinchuan Art Town
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays)
Winter opening hours: 10:00-17:00
Summer opening hours: 10:00-18:00
Built against the backdrop of the Helan Mountains, the museum seems to blend seamlessly into the mountain, imbued with its essence. The museum houses sculptures and paintings by Han Meilin, as well as his stories about the mountain.
Image @Han Meilin Art Museum official website
Tips:
Address: Helan Mountain Rock Painting Site Park, Helan Mountain County, Yinchuan City
Summer visiting hours: (May-October) 09:00-17:30
Winter visiting hours: (November-April) 09:30-17:00
Located in the heart of Yinchuan, this park, though called a "park," is actually a football field and open-air theater modeled after the ancient Roman Colosseum. It's arguably the best place in Ningxia for sunset photography, facing the majestic Helan Mountains and nestled at its foot, with the beautiful West Lake at its foot. The evening glow, reflected on the Romanesque architecture, creates a uniquely romantic atmosphere.
Picture @Photo.net
Ningxia winemaking boasts a millennium of history, having been introduced to the Central Plains along the Silk Road during the Han Dynasty. Thanks to Ningxia's unique climate, centuries-old winemaking techniques, and the advancement of new technologies, the Ningxia wine industry has become a shining example of China's international appeal. If you visit Ningxia, why not sample a glass of wine at one of the wineries surrounding Yinchuan?
Photo @XiGe Winery
This is a comprehensive cultural and tourism town, offering exciting Ga Yingxiong boxing matches, a Moroccan-style hot spring resort, a romantic artist village, a leisurely food street, and a wine culture experience. If you have plenty of time in Yinchuan, don't miss this place.
Picture @Manpu Town
A small town where wildness and refinement coexist
With the hit TV series "Dear Inn 3," many people have become aware of this city, nestled in the upper reaches of the Yellow River and nestled against the desert. However, most people's impression of it is limited to Shapotou. However, this small city, nestled against the Yellow River and bordering the desert, boasts not only a vast and diverse landscape of rivers, Gobi Desert, oases, and wilderness, but also exquisite B&Bs that rival those in Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
Picture @Photo.net
Nanchangtan Village, nestled deep in the mountains west of Zhongwei, is the first village on the Yellow River's route through Ningxia. The Tuoba clan, a branch of the Tangut tribe of the Western Xia Dynasty, settled here. Access to the village requires a boat ride across the river. Due to its secluded environment, the village is little known, allowing this secluded paradise to remain. Due to resource scarcity, fruit trees have been the lifeblood of generations of residents. Thousands of pear trees are found here, some said to be over 600 years old. Every year in early April, the entire Nanchangtan area is blanketed in pear blossoms as beautiful as snow.
Picture @Xiaohongshu-wind
Remember the "Yongquan Village" in the poverty alleviation drama "Mountains and Seas"? It was filmed in Shangtan Village, located on the banks of the Yellow River in Beichangtan. Built along the hillside, the houses are staggered in height, mostly constructed from loess and stone, preserving the original architecture of Ningxia. It's also a great place to enjoy pear blossoms in spring. Every April, the century-old pear trees along the Yellow River burst into bloom, creating a spectacular spectacle.
Picture @Photo.net
From the city of Zhongwei, drive west along Provincial Highway 201 to the Mengjiawan Expressway intersection, turn south from the provincial highway, and enter a winding asphalt road along the north bank of the Yellow River (China's version of "Route 66"). After driving for more than an hour, at the end of the road, Shangtan Village comes into view - several low adobe houses lie on the bank of the Yellow River. Climbing up and looking into the distance, you can see this century-old ancient village in its entirety.
North Long Beachcheck the details
The traditional residential complex in Beichangtan is the most well-preserved and concentrated collection of local architectural styles in Ningxia. The ancient village is concentrated in Beishan, nestled against the hillside. The buildings are staggered in height, adapting to the terrain and creating a three-dimensional effect. The village retains the traditional Ming and Qing architectural style of "four-beam and eight-column" earthen structures, while the courtyard walls are constructed of stacked stone. Due to its rich history, traditional northern earthen structures, military defense, and pristine ecology, it was designated one of Ningxia's first "National Famous Historical and Cultural Villages." It is also a key node in the riverside tourism belt within the "One Core, Two Belts" strategy, part of Zhongwei's priority tourism development.
Recommended month: All seasons
4365 recommendations, 3457 visits
The "Sikouzi Grand Canyon," formerly known as Beihai, boasts a rich tapestry of cultural and natural wonders, earning it the nickname "History Museum." Its eastern section, known as the Saishang Qixia Scenic Area, is renowned for its rocky landscapes. The grotesque rocks undulate, some abruptly, others as smooth as mirrors, each with its own unique appearance and a natural charm. The silvery-white mountains within the canyon are particularly striking.
Sikouzicheck the details
Sikouzi, formerly known as Beihai, is a scenic tourist area that combines danger, seclusion, unique beauty, and unique charm. Historically, its location as the gateway to southern Yin and a protective barrier to Wei and Ning made it a strategic location of strategic importance. The scenic area, covering 18 square kilometers, is comprised of two distinct geological formations and divided into two sections. The eastern section features typical karst landforms, known as the "Wonderful Gorges of the Saishang Scenic Area." The western section is renowned for its Danxia landforms and cultural legends. The story of Su Wu, a renowned official of the Western Han Dynasty, who shepherded sheep for 19 years while maintaining his official title, is deeply moving and touching. Numerous relics can be found here, including the "Su Wu Broken Bridge" and the "Su Wu's Grotto." Traces of historical allusions and legends abound.
Recommended month: All seasons
3445 recommendations, 6767 visits
Everyone is probably familiar with this, and when visiting Ningxia, most people will choose to visit the Tengger Desert. Not only is there an endless desert, but there are also many naturally formed lakes. In 2021, people discovered a stunning red lake in the desert—Ulan Lake, which quickly became a popular tourist destination. Looking down from the sky at the bright red lake and the heart-shaped lake surface, it is known as the "Heart of the Earth."
Wulan Lake is a rose lake. Most of my country's rose lakes are distributed in the arid and semi-arid areas of the western inland. They are basically cold salt lakes (the temperature in winter is below 0℃-10℃). The birth of the rose lake is the result of the joint action of three main factors: geography, climate and biology.
When traveling, accommodation is also an issue that everyone is very concerned about. Nowadays, most people not only require the accommodation environment to be clean and comfortable, but also pay great attention to the characteristics of the hotel and surrounding facilities. Next, I will recommend some representative accommodations to you.
Picture @ South Coast B&B
This is China's first homestay cluster, bringing together five renowned B&Bs: Nan'an, Dalezhiye, Xipo, Xuli, and Feiniaoji. Located adjacent to the Yellow River and across from the Tengger Desert, it's known as China's Morocco. The entire Yellow River B&B complex is inspired by the style of local ancient villages. The earth-toned buildings exude a natural and rustic atmosphere. Thatched huts, swimming pools, red wine, and azure skies showcase the fusion of design and nature. It has become a new luxury destination in China.
Photo @ In Xiaowan
Picture @Yuanbaixiangshe
China's first ultra-cool desert-themed hotel, nestled deep in the desert, far from the city, features a five-pointed star-shaped design. Step inside, and the endless desert awaits you as you open the door, and the dazzling galaxy shines through the curtains. To enrich and enrich the guest experience, the hotel also features a 360-degree panoramic restaurant, an open-air bar, five-element sand therapy, a starlit pool, an outdoor afternoon tea set alongside a heart-shaped artificial lake, and a starry sky theater. Evening activities like star photography and lectures are also offered. It's quite a treat!
Photo @ Desert Star Hotel
Tips:
Price: 2000~3900 yuan/night;
Location: Shapotou Scenic Area (free off-road vehicle shuttle provided by the hotel);
Reservation: It’s just the beginning of the holidays and rooms are relatively tight. If you plan to visit, it is recommended to book in advance;
The Tengger Desert near Zhongwei has seen a surge in recent years, with a number of unique campgrounds offering a compelling desert experience and value for money. I personally think these are worth exploring for tourists. These include the ever-popular RV campgrounds, minimalist Nordic-style Moroccan tent camps, panoramic glass-fronted guesthouses, and themed hotels featuring trains set into the desert. Many of these camps offer a variety of recreational activities, including surfing buggies, ATVs, camel rides, and Instagram-style afternoon tea.
Picture @ Jinshahai Train Theme Hotel
Picture @ Desert Starry Sky Camping Base Camp
Ningxia locals have a quip: "No sheep makes it out of Ningxia alive." Thanks to its unique climate and selenium-rich soil, the Yanchi Beach Sheep, a herb-fed local, are particularly renowned. Lamb skewers, hand-pulled pork, spicy lamb trotters, ice-cooked lamb, and lamb offal soup... For lamb-loving tourists, a trip to Ningxia is a true paradise.
Picture @Hu La Yang Ti
Picture @Bei Song Ice Boiled Lamb
Eight Treasure Tea is a representative of Ningxia's intangible cultural heritage. Optimistic and relaxed, the Ningxia people choose to rise in the morning with a leisurely cup of steaming hot Eight Treasure Tea, officially starting their day. The diverse Eight Treasure Tea recipes are also the hallmark of each morning tea beef noodle restaurant's unique style. A cup is a must-try when visiting Ningxia.
Although Ningxia is small, it is adjacent to the mother river Yellow River, close to China's fourth largest desert, and backed by the majestic Helan Mountains. It has a long-standing Western Xia civilization. If you have been to Ningxia, you may wish to go and see what Ningxia looks like today. If you have not been here, you may wish to go and savor this "Jiangnan on the Great Wall" in the northwest like savoring red wine.
