Best Desert Sunrise Photography Spot

—— Explore the Western Xia Imperial Tombs + Cross the Desert + Savor Tan Sheep, a Northwest Fantasy Trip for 2500 RMB per Person!

📅 Itinerary Overview
Theme: Historical Exploration + Desert Adventure + Gourmet Feast
Suitable for: Culture Enthusiasts / Photographers / Food Hunters
Budget Allocation: Transportation 40% + Accommodation 25% + Dining 20% + Tickets 15%

🗺️ Daily Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Western Xia Imperial Tombs + Helan Mountain Rock Paintings | Budget 900 RMB

Morning: Arrive in Yinchuan, check in near Huaiyuan Night Market (Recommended: Xinhua Lian Ruijing Hotel, about 250 RMB/night)
Afternoon:

Western Xia Imperial Tombs (85 RMB/including shuttle): Visit the "Eastern Pyramid," Tomb No. 3 is a must-see
Western Xia Museum (included in ticket): Decipher the Western Xia script

Evening: Helan Mountain Rock Paintings (70 RMB/person): Search for the Sun God totem, chance to see ibex
Night: Huaiyuan Night Market (about 50 RMB/person): Spicy porridge + beef pancake + sweet embryo milk tea

📸 Photo Spots: Golden light at the tombs at sunset, Han Meilin Art Museum at the rock painting site

Day 2: Sand Lake + Zhenbeibu Western Film Studio | Budget 800 RMB

Morning: Sand Lake Scenic Area (120 RMB/including boat ticket): Boat ride through reed marshes → Desert sand sliding (30 RMB/time)
Noon: Eat Sand Lake big fish head in the scenic area (about 60 RMB/person)
Afternoon: Zhenbeibu Western Film Studio (80 RMB/person):

Film the city wall scenes of "A Chinese Odyssey"
Experience "Zixia Fairy" costume change in the Ming city (50 RMB/set)

Evening: Lao Mao Hand-Pulled Lamb (about 80 RMB/person): Intangible cultural heritage Tan sheep dipped in vinegar sauce

🎬 Movie Buff Easter Egg: Reenact lines from "Moonlight Treasure Box" at the "Tang Monk Punishment Platform"

Day 3: Tengger Desert Five Lakes Crossing | Budget 1200 RMB

Transport: Yinchuan → Alxa Left Banner by chartered car (400 RMB/car, can share with 4 people)
All day:

Desert off-road (200 RMB/person): Thrilling sand dune rush experience
Hike Swan Lake → Ulan Lake ("Earth’s Heart" blood-red lake)
Camel riding (100 RMB/30 minutes)

Accommodation: Desert starry sky tent (about 150 RMB/person, includes bonfire party)

⚠️ Must-bring items: Sandproof face scarf + sunglasses + high-top shoes

Day 4: Shuidonggou + Contemporary Art Museum | Budget 700 RMB

Morning: Shuidonggou Site (60 RMB/person):

Underground labyrinth of the soldier cave
Return by camel cart + tractor

Noon: Guoqiang Hand-Pulled Lamb (about 70 RMB/person): Eight-treasure tea with ribs
Afternoon: Yinchuan Contemporary Art Museum (20 RMB/person): Photograph the white geometric building in the desert
Evening: Yingbin Building Lamb Hotpot (about 80 RMB/person): Copper pot with desert scallions

Day 5: Huangsha Ancient Ferry + Return | Budget 600 RMB

Morning: Huangsha Ancient Ferry (198 RMB all-access ticket):

Sheepskin raft crossing the Yellow River
Unlimited desert dune buggy + sand sliding

Noon: Mengji Snack Shop (about 20 RMB/person): Gaodan cold noodles + gray beans
Return: Bring souvenirs (goji berry concentrate 50 RMB/box, Zhang Widow yellow wine 30 RMB/bottle)

💰 Total Budget Breakdown (for 2 people)

Item
Cost

Major Transportation
2000 RMB (estimated round trip by high-speed train from Xi’an)

Local Transportation
800 RMB (chartered car + taxi)

Accommodation
1000 RMB (4 nights in comfortable hotels)

Dining
1000 RMB (one hearty lamb meal per day)

Tickets
600 RMB

Total
5000 RMB

⚠️ Key Tips

Desert Trip:

Best season is May to October, bring down jacket in March
Download offline maps in advance (no signal in the desert)

Food Alert:

Choose "steamed" hand-pulled lamb for more authentic flavor
Eight-treasure tea can be refilled with water 3 times for free

Money-saving Tips:

Buy "Ningxia Travel Passport" for 50% off tickets
Book desert camping group tours in advance

✨ The magic of Yinchuan lies in—
Touching Western Xia civilization at the tombs in the morning, riding camels into the golden sea of sand in the afternoon, and swallowing the boldness of the Northwest with lamb and goji berries at night. A 5000 RMB budget lets you experience the dual shock of civilization and wilderness!
If you want to adjust to Zhongwei Route 66 + Yellow River lodging route, or add Helan Mountain winery experience, leave a message for customization~