Ningxia Yinchuan | April-May Off-season is Perfect with Fewer Tourists and Beautiful Scenery

Dear friends🥰, Yinchuan in April-May is the ultimate travel destination! No summer holiday crowds, the desert sand isn't scorching hot, the Yellow River is crystal clear, and best of all - discounted tickets and hotels! Follow this guide to unlock the springtime romance of "Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall"~

🌟Why visit Yinchuan in April-May?
❶ Fewer crowds, better views: Avoid peak season, have the desert to yourself for photos, no queues at attractions!
❷ Perfect weather: 10-25°C, neither hot nor cold, perfect for camel rides and sand sliding~
❸ Half the cost: Hotels average CNY 200+, early bird ticket discounts available🎟️
❹ Exclusive scenery: Helan Mountain still snow-capped + desert oasis emerging, half desolate, half vibrant!

🏜️Must-visit Attractions
1⃣️ Western Xia Imperial Tombs (History buffs must visit!)
📍Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
📌Highlights: China's "Pyramid Complex"! 9 imperial tombs + 200+ subordinate tombs, wildflowers dotting the rammed earth tombs in April, stunning drone shots! ⚠️Note: The correct name is "Western Xia Imperial Tombs," not "Western Xia Royal Tombs"
⏰Opening hours: 8:30-18:00
🎫Ticket: CNY 85 (includes sightseeing car)
✨Activities:
● Rent Hanfu for desert photoshoots, perfect with sunset🌇
● Visit Western Xia Museum, see mysterious Tangut script📜
● Catch the "Helan Snow in Clear Sky" view at dusk - snow mountains + tombs in one frame!

2⃣️ Zhenbeipu Western Film Studio (Movie fans' paradise!)
📍Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
📌Highlights: Filming location of "A Chinese Odyssey"! Off-season rental of Zixia Fairy costume only CNY 50/hour in April, freely photograph city walls and Spider Cave📸
⏰Opening hours: 8:00-18:00
🎫Ticket: CNY 80
✨Tips:
● Tour Ming City + Qing City + Old Yinchuan Street in one route, avoid backtracking🚶
● Bring your own food! Scenic area food is expensive and not tasty🍔
● Visit the "Love You Ten Thousand Years" quote wall, couples must photograph❤️

3⃣️ Shapotou Scenic Area (Desert fun guide!)
📍Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
📌Highlights: 5A scenic area where desert meets Yellow River! One-stop experience for camel riding, sand sliding, and sheepskin raft drifting🐫
⏰Opening hours: 8:00-18:00
🎫Ticket: CNY 80 (activities charged separately)
💥Must-try:
● Ride sheepskin rafts in Yellow River area listening to folk songs, boatmen sing "Ningxia Plain"~
● Desert area sand surfing + sliding combo ticket CNY 150, thrilling!
● Recommend staying at desert stargazing hotel during off-season, perfect for night sky viewing🌌

4⃣️ Helan Mountain Rock Carvings (Art lovers' delight!)
📍Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
📌Highlights: Ancient humans' "social media"! Mysterious sun god carvings and hunting scenes, beautiful wild apricot blossoms at mountain foot in May🌸
⏰Opening hours: 8:30-17:30
🎫Ticket: CNY 70
📸Photo spots:
● Panoramic view of Helan Mountain from Rock Art Museum rooftop🏔️
● Spot wild sheep! They often jump around the cliffs~

5⃣️ Shuidongou Site (Travel back 30,000 years!)
📍Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
📌Highlights: China's earliest Paleolithic site! Soldier caves look like scenes from Grave Robbers' Chronicles, ride mule carts and camels🐪
⏰Opening hours: 8:00-18:00
🎫Ticket: CNY 60 (includes transportation)
✨Hidden activities:
● Experience fire-making and stone tool crafting, perfect for family trips👨👩👧
● Stand across Ningxia and Inner Mongolia border at Ming Great Wall, cool location tag for social media!

🗺️4 Days 3 Nights Perfect Itinerary
Day 1: First encounter with "Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall"
Morning: Photo shoot at Western Xia Tombs → Noon: Huaiyuan Night Market for La Hugu + beef pancakes🌮 → Afternoon: Ningxia Museum for Silk Road exhibits → Evening: Sunset at Lanshan Park🌄

Day 2: Movies + Rock Art double feature
Morning: Cosplay as Zixia Fairy at Zhenbeipu → Noon: Eat Haozi noodles outside film studio → Afternoon: Treasure hunt at Helan Mountain Rock Carvings → Evening: BBQ at Zhongwei Xiangyang Street🍢

Day 3: Full day desert fun
All day: Camel riding + Yellow River rafting at Shapotou → Evening: Camping under stars in Tengger Desert⛺

Day 4: Historical finale
Morning: Explore soldier caves at Shuidongou → Noon: Hand-pulled lamb in Wuzhong → Afternoon: Buy goji berries + Eight Treasures Tea before departure🌰

🍖Must-try Food
❶ Hand-pulled lamb: No gamey taste! Delicious with garlic vinegar sauce🤤
❷ La Hugu: Must-try at Huaiyuan Night Market! CNY 1 per skewer, satisfyingly spicy🌶️
❸ Eight Treasures Tea: Red dates + goji berries + longan, perfect for health-conscious girls🍵
❹ Haozi noodles: Zhongwei intangible cultural heritage, chewy noodles in fresh soup~
❺ Yellow River carp: Fresh catch at Shapotou Scenic Area, tender meat!

🏨Accommodation Guide
🏜️ Desert experience: Star Hotel (choose sand view room if budget allows)
🏙️ City convenience: Stay near Jinfen Wanda, everything within reach
🏡 Boutique homestay: Yellow River Inn (Moroccan style, perfect for photos)

🚗Transportation Tips
✈️Getting there: Fly to Yinchuan Hedong Airport, CNY 20 airport bus to city
🚗Charter: Desert attractions are scattered, more economical for 4+ people (about CNY 500/day)
🚕City transport: CNY 7 starting fare for taxis, shared e-bikes everywhere🛵

💡Off-season Travel Tips
❶ Wear red/white long dresses! Perfect for desert photos👗
❷ Big temperature difference between morning and evening, layer thin down jacket + short sleeve🧥
❸ Protect phones from sand with waterproof bags📱
❹ Respect Hui customs, no shorts in mosques❌