Breaking into the "Jiangnan of the Frontier"! This oasis in Ningxia is stunningly beautiful

A 3-day, 2-night in-depth tour of Yinchuan is here! This northwestern city is incredibly charming, blending the scenic beauty of a frontier Jiangnan with rich Hui ethnic culture, making it perfect for a short getaway.

🚗 Itinerary
Day1:
📍 Western Film Studio in Zhenbeibao: Filming location for "A Chinese Odyssey," where the classic scenes of Zixia Fairy and Monkey King were shot! Renting traditional costumes for photos is highly recommended (Ticket: ¥80) 🎬
📍 Helan Mountain Rock Carvings: Well-preserved ancient petroglyphs, adjacent to Helan Mountain National Forest Park, ideal for combined visits (Suggested duration: 3 hours) 🗿

Day2:
📍 Western Xia Imperial Tombs: Mysterious "Oriental Pyramids," best visited in the morning for fewer crowds and great photos (Ticket: ¥75) 🏛
📍 Ningxia Museum: The best place to learn about Western Xia history, free entry (remember to bring ID) 📚
📍 Nan Guan Grand Mosque: Yinchuan's most iconic mosque with stunning architecture (Best visited after 16:00) 🕌
📍 Huaiyuan Night Market: Yinchuan's hottest night market, try spicy húhú, lamb skewers, and egg milk rice wine (Address: Huaiyuan West Road, Xixia District) 🍢

Day3:
📍 Sand Lake: A wonder of half-lake, half-desert, boat tours are recommended (Ticket: ¥120 includes boat ride) 🏜
📍 Shuidonggou: China's earliest excavated Paleolithic site featuring hidden military caves and Ming Dynasty Great Wall ruins (Ticket: ¥76) ⛏

🍜 Food Recommendations
✅ Lamb Paomo: Most authentic at the time-honored "Tongfuju" (No.5 Minsheng Lane, Jinfeng District)
✅ Hand-grabbed Lamb: "Lao Mao Shouzhua" featured on "A Bite of China" (Jiefang West Street, Xingqing District)
✅ Eight-Treasure Tea: A Yinchuan specialty available at most restaurants

🏡 Accommodation Suggestions
Stay in Xingqing or Jinfeng District for proximity to major attractions. We stayed at Sheraton Yinchuan Hotel, conveniently located near night markets and sights.

📌 Travel Tips
1. Strong UV radiation in Ningxia - sun protection is a must
2. Avoid bringing non-halal food into halal restaurants
3. Attractions are far apart - consider chartering a car or self-driving for convenience