Just got back from Shizuishan, and the aftereffects are pretty strong—let me be blunt and honest

Day 1: Shahu Ecotour → Dawukou Industrial Ruins → Xinghai Lake Night Tour
Day 2: Helan Mountain Rock Art Exploration → Bei Wudang Ecological Park → Shahu Ancient Town Food
🌿Day 1: A journey of nature meeting industry
🏜️【Shahu Scenic Area】
A northwest wonder that's half desert, half lake
Ride a rowboat through the reed marshes, with golden sand dunes in the distance and shimmering lake waters nearby. The sight of egrets skimming the water is so healing! Recommended to arrive at 7 AM; the Shahu in morning mist looks like an ink painting.
🎫Tickets: 120 RMB in peak season (includes boat ride)
📸Photo spots:
1️⃣ Moon Lake viewing platform for panoramic shots
2️⃣ Desert camel caravan photo frame (camel rental 80 RMB/20 minutes)
⚠️Note: Strong UV in the desert area, recommend wearing high-top shoes to prevent sand
🏗️【Dawukou Industrial Ruins Park】
A hardcore industrial-style photo hotspot
Well-preserved mining machinery clusters, a 50-meter-high coal washing plant ruin, graffiti-covered abandoned trains... every corner is full of stories! Suggest wearing denim or workwear style clothes; best light is at 4 PM.
🎁Special experiences:
➰ Underground exploration VR experience (50 RMB/person)
➰ Miner’s canteen serving authentic lamb noodles (15 RMB/bowl)
Navigation: Longhu Avenue, Dawukou District
🌌【Xinghai Lake National Wetland Park】
A poetic dwelling under the starry sky
Night tours of the wetland bring continuous surprises! Ride a bamboo raft through the sea of reed lights (30 RMB/person), and at 9 PM, a water screen movie is shown on the lake. Recommended to stay at the lake island tent hotel, where you can see a clear reflection of the Milky Way at 2 AM.
✨Hidden activities:
➰ Firefly hunting on the lakeside boardwalk (limited to July-August)
➰ Fishing light BBQ bar to try freshly caught rainbow trout
🎨Day 2: Cultural exploration and a feast for the taste buds
🖌️【Helan Mountain Rock Art】
A rock history book spanning thousands of years
Search for over 6,000 rock paintings including the Sun God and hunting scenes in a 15-kilometer-long canyon. Renting an audio guide (30 RMB) is recommended to understand ancient civilization. Rock sheep often appear around 10 AM, so bring a telephoto lens!
🎫Tickets: 70 RMB
💡TIP: Don’t miss the digital exhibition hall at the Rock Art Museum, with 3D reconstructions of ancient life scenes
🌳【Bei Wudang Ecological Tourism Area】
A natural oxygen bar on the Western Xia imperial palace ruins
Hike 2 kilometers along the wooden boardwalk, encounter the century-old Shoufo Temple, thrilling glass plank walk (60 RMB), and hills full of sand jujube trees. The mid-mountain viewing pavilion offers a panoramic view of Shizuishan city.
🚡Recommended route:
Scenic area shuttle → Forest Park → Shoufo Temple → Red Leaf Valley → Glass plank walk
🍲【Shahu Ancient Town Food Street】
A paradise for carb lovers
Must-try trio:
1️⃣ Wang’s Lamb Offal Soup with spicy red oil broth and fresh lamb offal (20 RMB)
2️⃣ Sister Liu’s Cold Noodles made with Shahu reed starch (10 RMB)
3️⃣ Baked bread with spicy strips, traditionally baked in an earthen stove (6 RMB)
🕒Night market hours: 5 PM - 11 PM
🏨Accommodation recommendations
1️⃣ Shahu Pastoral Song Camp: lake view starry sky rooms + desert UTV experience
2️⃣ 1958 Creative Park Homestay: loft industrial style converted from old factory buildings
3️⃣ Helan Mountain Residence: a Zen courtyard with panoramic mountain views
💌Travel tips
1️⃣ Dry climate, bring lip balm; temperature difference between day and night can reach 15℃
2️⃣ Scenic spots are far apart, recommend chartering a car (about 300 RMB/day)
3️⃣ Strong winds at Shahu require windproof face masks
4️⃣ Buying the "Ningxia Tourism All-in-One Card" is more cost-effective
✨Shizuishan impressed me far beyond expectations. This underrated northwest small city has the grandeur of desert smoke and solitude, yet hides delightful artistic corners. Just want to ask everyone:
❤️ Do you prefer the fantasy of desert oases or the ruggedness of industrial ruins?
❤️ Any similar hidden gem cities to recommend?