The Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, or Ningxia for short, is a famous oasis beyond the Great Wall in southwest China. Together with its famous neighbors - Shaanxi Province, Gansu Province and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, it was also an important outpost on the ancient Silk Road. Although not yet on the international radar, Ningxia is a worthwhile destination to explore the magnificent desert and Yellow River landscapes, as well as the historic and cultural aromas.
Each destination in Ningxia has its own features. You can focus on the top destinations if you have limited time, including Yinchuan – the tourist distribution center of Ningxia, Zhongwei – the paradise of desert activities and Guyuan – the home to Xumishan Grottoes.
Ningxia is attractive with diverse cultures and attractive scenery, and there are lots of places to discover its glamor, such as traditional Muslim towers, modern buildings, archaeological ruins, high-rising mountains, local parks, etc. Check the recommended attractions below, or visit Top 9 Things to Do in Ningxia for more details. For more attraction information, please go and see Top 9 Things in Ningxia.
Western Xia Imperial Tombs is the largest surviving archaeological site of the Western Xia Dynasty. There are three tomb sites open to the public, and they give a sense of desolation with the background of the Helan Mountains
Rock Paintings of Helan Rock Paintings of Helan Mountain is an art gallery of Chinese Nomadic people. It depicts animals, faces, hunting scenes and some Western Xia characters in real life. The image of the Sun God is a big highlight.
Tracing back to the Paleolithic Age, Shuidong Cave is the earliest archaeological site and got the tile of the Cradle of the Preshistoric Archaeology. In Shuidong Cave, you can see the living and multiplying of human beings.
Tengger Desert is the 4th largest desert in China, with a total occupation of 36,000 square kilometers. It also has 420 lakes, which makes a favorite transfer stops of the birds migrated from Siberia.
It once was praised as one of the most beautiful deserts in China and one of the best places worth-visiting for foreign travelers. Here you can enjoy the amazing desert nature as well as take part in several screaming activities.
Ningxia Museum is the best place to visit if you are interested in a panoramic view of Ningxia’s history, culture, folk customs, artifacts… from all perspectives. Many quality exhibitions are displayed.
As one of the 10 Greatest Grottoes in China, Xumishan Grottoes are a large collection of 162 Buddhist grottoes, which dated back to North Wei Dynasty (368-534) and enjoyed a high artistic value.
Ningxia not only offers great things to do but great things to experience. Apart from the sightseeing in natural and cultural spots, you can also have some other activities to join in.
Tasting the local wine is a must experience for travelers in Ningxia. There are many superb wineries on the east foothill of Helan Mountains, some also provide great meals and accommodation.
For more desert fun, why not join in some outdoor activities in Shapotou desert, including cable car experience, sheepskin rafting, camel riding, desert crossing, etc. The Golden Sand Sea Tourist Resort offers plenty of desert entertainments as well.
Ningxia offers featured food and sweet fruits as well. If you are interested in various kinds of Ningxia cuisine, there are tons of food stalls with delicious food to please both your tummy and wallet at affordable prices.
In order to have a better desert experience, it’s a good idea to accommodate in the desert. It is available to enjoy camping with you friends and families, or choose a high-end desert hotel.
Ningxia enjoys a typical continental climate with long cold periods and short hot periods. The annual temperature of Ningxia is 5°C ~ 18°.. The hottest month is July with the highest temperature of about 32°C and the coldest month is February with the lowest temperature of about -11°C. The summer won’t too hot and sunlight is rather strong. It is quite cold in winter, when the temperature is low, the wind is fierce, and sandstorm may occur. The temperature difference is large between day and night, which can reach up to 15°C in the summer. The best time to visit Ningxia is May to October, when the temperature is moderate and the climate is comfortable.
Learn more about Ningxia Weather & Seasons >>
Generally, Yinchuan is a jumping-off point for travelers planning a Ningxia trip. Most travelers take a flight or train to Yinchuan first and then take a train or car to other cities like Zhongwei and Guyuan.
Flights to Yinchuan: Yinchuan Hedong International Airport operates over 10 international flights to/off Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Nagoya, Osaka, Bangkok and Seoul, as well as about 100 domestic flights to/off Beijing (2.5h), Xian (1h15m), Shanghai(3h10m), Guangzhou (3h10m), Shenzhen (3.5h), Chengdu (1h15m), Chongqing (2h), Zhengzhou (2h), Wuhan (2h15m), Xining (1h5m), etc.
Trains to Yinchuan: You can take a high speed train to Yinchuan from many domestic cities, like Xian (3h), Shanghai (11.5), Zhengzhou (5.5h), Chengdu (7h), Jinan (9h), Hefei (9 h), Qingdao (10.5h), Hangzhou (12h), etc. There are some available normal trains, but not recommended because of the long duration.
Flights to Zhongwei: It is available to take a flight from Zhongwei Shapotou Airport from Beijing (2.5 hours), Shanghai (5 hours), Xian (1.5 hours), Chongqing (2 hours), Hohhot, Urumqi (3 hours), Wuhan (2.5 hours), Guangzhou (3 hours), etc.
Yinchuan to Zhongwei High Speed Train: There are 3 daily high speed trains running from Yinchuan Railway Station to Zhongwei South Railway Station, with duration of only about 1.5 hours. They also take a stop at Yinchuan Hedong International Airport.
Honestly, the quantity and quality of the hotels in Ningxia can’t be compared with the hotels in many big cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, etc. You can find several starred hotels in the capital, Yinchuan, but finding a luxurious hotel is not easy in other cities like Guyuan, Wuzhong, Shizuishan, etc.
If you have a high demand for accommodation, we strongly suggest you spend a longer time in Suji Yellow River, which is a cluster of boutique hotels (such as Nanan, Stray Birds, Hillside Village, Lost Villa and Xuli) far from the city and close to peaceful wild nature. The decoration in each hotel also blends in with the surrounding – the restored Great Wall , the Yellow River, the earth land, etc. In Suji Yellow River, you can also find restaurants, teahouses, cafes, bookstores, art galleries, etc.
If you are one of the travelers whose imagination is captured by the Silk Road, visiting Ningxia is far from enough. Many other provinces (or cities) flourished along the Silk Road has witnessed the transfer of goods and exchange of ideas for hundreds of years, and most of them located in northwestern China. Here are four best places selected to explore the awe-inspiring cultural and natural marvels of the Silk Road. (Check all tourist destinations along the Silk Road.)
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