First time in Yinchuan, must-know tips

Desert on the left 🏜️, lake on the right 💦! This "Pearl of the North" in Ningxia is truly a natural mix-master～In June, temperatures hover around 25°C, sunscreen + sunglasses = perfect for photos! History buffs will be thrilled, the Western Xia royal tombs feel like a scene from a tomb-raiding adventure; foodies will be even happier, the lamb aroma shakes your soul 😋

🚗【3 Days 2 Nights Detailed Itinerary】
Day 1: Journey through the Western Xia Dynasty
🌅 Morning: Rush to Zhenbeibu Western Film City (free!) 👢Wear the same costume as Zi Xia Fairy, take the "Ten Thousand Years" check-in photo on the "A Chinese Odyssey" city wall, instantly become the movie heroine～
🌞 Noon: Western Xia Royal Tombs (ticket 68 RMB) 🛕Take the shuttle to see the "Eastern Pyramid," don’t forget to join the guided tour! The mysterious Dangxiang culture is more thrilling than a suspense drama～
🌃 Evening: Huaiyuan Night Market 🍢 Spicy hot pot + beef pancakes that make you stomp your feet! Highly recommend Ding Tiemin’s grilled eggs, the molten salted egg yolk with chili sauce is amazing!

Day 2: The Desert and Lake’s Ice and Fire Contrast
🌅 Morning: Shahu Scenic Area (ticket 120 RMB) 🐫 Ride a camel into the desert, red dress photos are stunning! Take a boat through the reed marshes like entering the Land of Oz～
🌞 Noon: Huangsha Ancient Ferry (ticket 80 RMB) 🚤 Ride a sheepskin raft drifting on the Yellow River, the uncle’s Northwest folk songs are full of feeling!
🌃 Evening: Dayuecheng Night Market 🍡 Enjoy Western Xia beer + grilled lamb trotters, the local favorite bustling atmosphere!

Day 3: Helan Mountain’s Artistic Rampage
🌅 Morning: Helan Mountain Rock Paintings (ticket 70 RMB) 🎨 See ancient humans "posting on social media" on stones, the Sun God totem is so mysterious it gives you goosebumps～
🌞 Noon: Manpu Town 🍷 DIY experience at the winery, slightly tipsy while shooting European manor-style photos!
🌃 Evening: Jingde Street Night Market 🌶️ Eat hand-pulled lamb with eight-treasure tea, the meat is so tender you don’t need to chew!

🌟【5 Must-Do Highlights】
1️⃣ Zhenbeibu Film City: Open all day! Free Hanfu experience, film special effects shows, and a "Zi Xia Fairy" parade at 3 PM～
2️⃣ Camel Riding at Shahu: 100 RMB/20 minutes, sunset silhouettes in the desert are breathtaking!
3️⃣ Huaiyuan Night Market Beef Pancakes: 4 RMB each! Crispy crust with juicy filling overflowing 🤤
4️⃣ Helan Mountain Stargazing Camping: Tent 500 RMB/night, the Milky Way visible to the naked eye ✨ (open until 10 PM in June)
5️⃣ Guoqiang Hand-Pulled Lamb: 80 RMB per person! Lamb dipped in vinegar garlic sauce, no gamey taste at all!

🏨【Stay in a Desert Palace】
Recommended: Kempinski Hotel Yinchuan! The largest five-star hotel in Northwest China, rooftop pool overlooking the Yellow River 🌊 + VIP guided tour of the Western Xia Royal Tombs～For budget travelers, Haoran Mountain Homestay, 300 RMB/night, chill eating watermelon under the grape trellis in the courtyard～

🚌【Transportation Tech】
Public transport is super convenient!
👉 Shahu: Direct via Tourist Line 1
👉 Film City: Bus 57 to Zhenbeibu Station
👉 Night Markets: BRT Line 1 to Huaiyuan Market stop
⚠️ Hard lesson: Don’t take unlicensed taxis! Desert area has poor signal and you might get scammed 😭

🍽️【5 Divine Foods】
1️⃣ Spicy Hot Pot: Thick spicy soup with beef tendon noodles, can’t stop slurping!
2️⃣ Lamb Offal Soup: Most authentic at Aye’s, broth so fresh you’ll lick the bowl～
3️⃣ Eight-Treasure Covered Bowl Tea: Red dates + goji berries + walnuts… health-conscious girls will love it!
4️⃣ Western Xia Beer: Creamy foam, pairs perfectly with grilled skewers for instant summer vibes 🍻
5️⃣ Fried Dough with Oil Aroma: Crispy oil cake wrapped with lamb, a carb bomb that lifts your mood!

💰【Expense List】
Tickets about 338 RMB + accommodation 600 RMB/2 nights + transport 150 RMB + food and drinks 400 RMB ≈ 1500 RMB for a great trip!

💡【Tips】
✅ Desert is scorching in the afternoon! Best to visit before 10 AM or after 5 PM
✅ Don’t bring pork to halal restaurants
✅ Guided tours are a must at the rock painting site, it’s easy to get confused on your own
🎉
In Yinchuan, be a desert hero by day and a night market foodie king by night! June has fewer crowds and beautiful scenery, lamb so fragrant you’ll want to pack a whole truck home～Ladies, hurry up, miss it and wait a whole year!