Ningxia · Yinchuan | Come experience the charm of Ningxia, the "Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall"……

| Come experience the charm of Ningxia, the "Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall"…….

Best time to visit ⏰
- Spring and autumn (April to June, September to October): Pleasant climate, perfect for outdoor activities; the best views of Shahu Lake and Helan Mountain.
- Summer (July to August): Hot during the day, ideal for desert 🌵 experiences (remember to use sunscreen 🧴).
- Winter (November to March): Cold 🥶 but fewer crowds; enjoy the snowy desert 🌵 and hot springs ♨️.

Top must-visit attractions ✅
1. Zhenbeibu Western Film Studio
- Highlights: Filming location for movies like "A Chinese Odyssey" and "Red Sorghum," a vintage photo hotspot 📷.
- Ticket 🎫: 80 CNY, recommended 3 hours visit.
2. Western Xia Tombs National Archaeological Park
- Highlights: Mysterious Western Xia royal tombs; combine with the museum to learn about Western Xia history.
- Ticket 🎫: 85 CNY (includes sightseeing bus 🚡), best visited in the afternoon to avoid the heat.
3. Shahu Ecotourism Area
- Highlights: A blend of desert 🌵 and lake; camel riding 🐫, sand sliding, bird watching (best during migratory bird season in April-May 🕊️).
- Ticket: 120 CNY (includes boat ticket 🎫), about 50 km from the city.
4. Shuidonggou Site
- Highlights: China’s earliest Paleolithic site; explore soldier caves and canyon hiking.
- Ticket 🎫: from 60 CNY (includes some activities).
5. Helan Mountain Rock Art 🧑‍🎨 + Helan Mountain National Forest Park
- Highlights: Ancient rock paintings 👩‍🎨, forest 🌳 hiking, and skiing ⛷️ in winter.
6. City check-in spots ✅
- Chengtian Temple Pagoda: The oldest pagoda in Ningxia, climb for panoramic views of the old city.
- Lanshan Park: Roman-style architecture, stunning sunsets.

Authentic local food recommendations ✅
1. Must-try specialties 🍽️
- Hand-pulled lamb 🥩: Recommended at "Lao Mao Hand-pulled" or "Guoqiang Hand-pulled."
- Lamb stew with bread / local snacks: Top local breakfast choices.
- Eight-treasure tea 🍵: Ningxia’s signature sweet tea 🍵, great for cleansing the palate.
- Artemisia noodles 🍜 and spicy porridge: Popular street snacks.
2. Night market recommendations ✅
- Huaiyuan Night Market: Yinchuan’s liveliest night market; don’t miss spicy strips, grilled eggs 🥚, and beef pancakes 🥩.

Transportation guide
- Long-distance travel
- ✈️ Air: Yinchuan Hedong International Airport, taxi to city center approx. 40 CNY.
- 🚄 High-speed rail: Yinchuan Station connects to Xi’an, Lanzhou, and other cities.
- City transport
- Bus/BRT: Fare 1–2 CNY, covers main attractions.
- Taxi: Starting fare 9 CNY; for travel between scenic spots, ride-hailing 🚗 is recommended.
- Car rental: Suitable for Shahu, Western Xia Tombs, and nearby attractions (beware of desert roads).

Accommodation suggestions 📖
- City center: Jinfeng District (modern), Xingqing District (old city charm)
- Luxury: Kempinski, JW Marriott.
- Budget-friendly: All Seasons, Atour.
- Near attractions: Unique homestays 🏠 at Shahu and Zhenbeibu, ideal for in-depth exploration.

3-day itinerary reference
Day 1: History and culture
Western Xia Tombs → Zhenbeibu Film Studio → Huaiyuan Night Market
Day 2: Natural wonders 🍃
Shahu / Shapotou (optional Yellow River zipline, sheepskin raft) → Lanshan Park sunset
Day 3: Cultural exploration
Helan Mountain Rock Art → Shuidonggou Site → Nanguan Mosque

Important notes ⚠️
Respect Hui customs; keep quiet inside mosques and avoid sensitive topics.
Yinchuan blends frontier grandeur with Jiangnan elegance. Whether exploring Western Xia history or racing across the desert 🏜️ and Yellow River, your trip will be unforgettable! 🐫