Ningxia is truly not recommended for taking kids during summer vacation...

Absolutely amazing! Before coming, the kids thought the desert would be boring, but after playing in the sandpit for three hours, they never got tired 😆 They fell off the sandboard ten times and still laughed happily, their legs shook after camel riding but they wanted to go again. Family, the desert stars are really perfect for taking kids out, there’s so much fun to be had~

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✅ Tips for visiting Ningxia
🌸 The UV rays at Shapotou are very strong and it’s windy, so umbrellas are not practical. It’s recommended to bring good sunglasses, a sun hat, sun-protective clothing or arm sleeves, and apply sunscreen well.
🌸 Ningxia is located in the northwest with a dry climate, especially in the desert. Drink lots and lots of water, and bring plenty of hydrating face masks—not just for women.
🌸 The desert must-have—holey shoes + socks, super easy to manage, highly recommended.
🌸 For those wanting to camp in the desert (star gazers), be sure to bring a warm sleeping bag and clothing, as it gets very cold at night. If you’re stargazing, wear a thick jacket.

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Here’s my no-fail 6 days 5 nights itinerary summary:

D1: Check-in at Jianguo Puyin Hotel - Huaiyuan Night Market
✨ The hotel environment and service are great, and there’s a hand-painted welcome card upon check-in 🥳
✅ Food recommendations: Ningxia Tan sheep kebabs, Fan Fang Su Xiao Meng beef patties (this place has huge lines), Yang Dana mashed potatoes with noodles.

D2: Shuidonggou - Inner Mongolia Pastoral Family - Tibetan Soldier Cave
✨ At Shuidonggou, you can try several modes of transport: dune buggy, camel riding 🐫, horse-drawn carriage, boat 🛶, and a small train 🚂 converted from a tractor.
✨ Lunch is a special meal at a Mongolian pastoral family.
✨ Tibetan Soldier Cave is a secret passage built in the Ming Dynasty, with a guide explaining the whole way, very immersive experience~

D3: Western Xia Royal Tombs - Manpu Town
✨ In the morning, we visited the Western Xia Museum, and the kids listened attentively to the lecturer.
✨ Manpu Town offers immersive performances, featuring Western Region dancers, traveling monks, sword-bearing guards, and acrobats who breathe fire 🔥 and swallow swords.

D4: Hui Family Visit - Star Hotel
✨ In the morning, we visited a local family where the kids learned to make Northwestern fried dough twists with an old craftsman.
✨ We stayed in a standalone wooden cabin at the Star Hotel, where you can play in the sand right outside the door. The hotel provides lots of sand digging toys and has an outdoor swimming pool. The self-service hot pot is also delicious~
✨ The Star Hotel offers all-day activities with many options; you can choose two or three to join, such as desert exploration, sand therapy, yoga, tree ring wood painting, and astronaut suit experiences.
✨ There’s a stargazing activity at night 👀, with a guide helping to find Jupiter, Venus, Orion, and the Big Dipper. It’s a fun learning experience for kids 👍.

D5: Shapotou - Yellow River Hostel
✨ At Shapotou, we played with sheepskin rafts, rode camels, dune buggy, sandboarding... the kids had a blast!
✨ Took a Yellow River speedboat to check in at Yellow River Hostel, a quiet guesthouse not open to the public, with a vibe like vacationing in Morocco ⛱️.
✨ You can take kids to the farm to milk sheep 🐑, pet lambs, do ceramic plate pottery, and collect eggs—all very fun 😁.

D6: Yellow River Ancient Great Wall - Return trip
✨ On the last day, we visited the ancient Great Wall, with a panoramic view of the magnificent Yellow River.
✨ Then it was time to head back.