Yinchuan｜Visiting Yinchuan in the off-season of August-September is truly delightful—fewer crowds and beautiful scenery!

Yinchuan, a cultural city with over 1,400 years of history, is the capital of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and an important transportation hub in Northwest China. Yinchuan attracts countless tourists with its rich historical and cultural heritage and unique natural landscapes. Here, you can explore famous attractions like the Western Xia Tombs and Zhenbeibu Western Film Studio, enjoy a variety of local delicacies, and experience distinctive cultural activities.

🌸 Characteristics of July-August
In July and August, Yinchuan experiences hot weather, with average temperatures ranging from 28°C to 33°C, making early mornings and evenings ideal for outdoor sightseeing. This period coincides with summer vacation, and various attractions in Yinchuan offer rich activities such as night tours of the Western Xia Tombs and desert camping.

🚌 Transportation Guide
- High-speed rail: Yinchuan Station connects to cities like Xi’an and Lanzhou; booking tickets in advance is recommended.
- Airplane: Yinchuan Hedong International Airport; taxi fare to the city center is about 40 yuan.
- City transportation: Bus/BRT fares are 1-2 yuan, covering major attractions.

🗺️ Three-day, two-night itinerary

🌅 Day 1: History and Culture Tour
- Morning: After arriving in Yinchuan, head to the Western Xia Tombs. Tickets cost 85 yuan (including sightseeing bus). It’s recommended to visit in the afternoon to avoid the intense sun.
- Noon: Enjoy local specialties at a restaurant near the Western Xia Tombs.
- Afternoon: Visit Zhenbeibu Western Film Studio. Tickets are 80 yuan; plan to spend about 3 hours.
- Evening: Night tour of Zhenbeibu, rent a Zixia Fairy costume for photos, and have dinner at a farmhouse restaurant near the studio, with Yellow River carp highly recommended.

🌞 Day 2: Nature and Desert Adventure
- Morning: Go to the Shahu Ecotourism Area. Tickets cost 120 yuan (including boat ride). Experience camel riding and sand sliding.
- Noon: Taste Zhongwei Haozi noodles at a nearby restaurant.
- Afternoon: Head to Shapotou to try the Yellow River zipline and desert off-road vehicles.
- Evening: Stay overnight at a hotel near Shapotou and enjoy the desert night view.

🌕 Day 3: Culture and Nature Tour
- Morning: Visit Helan Mountain Rock Art. Tickets cost 70 yuan to admire ancient rock paintings.
- Noon: Dine at a restaurant near Helan Mountain.
- Afternoon: Visit Lanshan Park to enjoy the sunset with Roman-style architecture.
- Evening: End your pleasant trip and return home warmly.

📸 Must-visit Attractions
- Western Xia Tombs: Mysterious royal tombs of the Western Xia dynasty, combined with a museum to learn about Western Xia history.
- Zhenbeibu Western Film Studio: Filming location for movies like "A Chinese Odyssey," a vintage photo hotspot.
- Shahu Ecotourism Area: A blend of desert and lake, perfect for camel riding, sand sliding, and bird watching.
- Helan Mountain Rock Art: Ancient rock paintings showcasing the wisdom of early humans.
- Lanshan Park: Roman-style architecture with stunning sunsets.
- Shuidonggou Site: Paleolithic site to explore soldier caves and canyon hiking.

🏨 Accommodation Recommendations
- Kempinski Hotel Yinchuan: Rooftop pool with sunset views and comprehensive facilities.
- Haoran Mountain Homestay: 300 yuan/night, enjoy watermelon under the grape trellis in a cozy courtyard.

🍔 Local Food Recommendations
- Hand-pulled lamb: Recommended at "Lao Mao Hand-pulled" or "Guoqiang Hand-pulled," a must-try dish.
- Lamb stew with bread: The local breakfast favorite, tender meat and flavorful broth.
- Eight Treasure Tea: Rock sugar + red dates + rose, a great palate cleanser.
- Haozi noodles: Zhongwei specialty, intangible cultural heritage noodles, refreshing and tasty.
- Spicy Hu-Hu: The signature dish of Huaiyuan Night Market, spicy soup filled with beef tendon noodles.

📌 Tips
- Sun protection: July and August have strong sunlight, so remember to apply sunscreen.
- Comfortable clothing: The weather is hot; wear light and breathable clothes.
- Respect local customs: When visiting historical and cultural sites, be mindful of local customs.
- Book in advance: During peak tourist season, it’s advisable to book tickets and accommodation ahead.
- Experience activities: Participate in night tours of the Western Xia Tombs and desert camping at Shapotou.