Yinchuan

Yinchuan, the capital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, lies between the Helan Mountains and the Yellow River in north-central China. This city served as a key stop on ancient trade routes and now functions as a center for modern China-Arab exchanges. Explore pyramid-shaped tombs from the Western Xia Empire, shallow lakes edged by desert sands and lotus-filled marshes, and movie sets where directors filmed classics like Red Sorghum. Over 30% of residents are Hui Muslims, visible in the silver-domed mosques, street vendors preparing hand-pulled noodles with mutton, and the annual China-Arab Expo. Farmers here have used canals to irrigate fields for two millennia, creating fertile land locals call the "granary of the northern frontier."

Western Xia Imperial Tombs

Located 25 kilometers west of Yinchuan, these tombs include nine large burial mounds for Tangut emperors and hundreds of smaller graves spread across 50 square kilometers. Constructed between 1038 and 1227, the largest mound reaches 23 meters tall and sits at the base of the Helan Mountains. Archaeologists have found gold jewelry, pottery with intricate patterns, and stone tablets carved in both Chinese and the extinct Tangut language. A museum on-site explains how Genghis Khan's armies destroyed the Western Xia Empire, using replica weapons and reconstructed burial objects. Look for the stone statues of armored warriors and mythical beasts guarding the main tomb.

Helan Mountain Rock Art

More than 6,000 carvings cover the eastern slopes of Helan Mountain, created by herders and hunters over 4,000 years ago. Many depict animals like deer, camels, and tigers, along with human figures dancing or holding bows. The Helankou site, 50 kilometers northwest of Yinchuan, has a walking trail passing cliffs etched with sun symbols and faces wearing headdresses. Nearby, Suyukou Forest Park provides hiking paths through valleys filled with juniper trees. From the park’s higher trails, you can see the flat farmlands of Ningxia stretching toward the Yellow River.

Sand Lake National Wetland Park

This reserve 56 kilometers north of Yinchuan mixes desert landscapes with a large lake that attracts over 1.5 million birds annually. Between April and October, watch for black storks wading in shallow waters and cranes nesting in reed beds. Wooden walkways let you observe lotus flowers blooming in summer, and boats take visitors through channels shaded by poplar trees. On the sandy eastern shore, you can ride camels or slide down dunes on sandboards. Local restaurants near the entrance serve dishes like braised fish caught from the Yellow River.

China Western Film Studios

Walk through movie sets 25 kilometers west of Yinchuan where directors filmed historical epics like Journey to the West. Recreated buildings include a Ming Dynasty military outpost with watchtowers, a Tibetan temple with colorful prayer flags, and a Silk Road trading post with merchant stalls. Rent costumes to take photos as a Tang Dynasty scholar or a Mongol archer. Daily stunt performances demonstrate horseback riding and sword fighting techniques used in films. The studio backs onto a valley with red sandstone cliffs often used as a backdrop for battle scenes.

Ningxia Museum

In Yinchuan’s Jinfeng District, this museum details the region’s history from Stone Age tools to Qing Dynasty trade goods. One gallery displays Buddhist statues and handwritten books from the Western Xia era, including a Tangut dictionary. Another section has coins, glassware, and ceramics found along Silk Road routes through Ningxia. Don’t miss the room with paper rubbings taken from Helan Mountain’s ancient rock carvings. Interactive models show how canals built during the Han Dynasty still irrigate Yinchuan’s farms today.

Haibao Pagoda and Chengtiansi Pagoda

Haibao Pagoda, an 11-story tower in Yinchuan’s northern suburbs, combines Chinese Buddhist architecture with Islamic decorative elements. Climb its steep staircase to see the city’s skyline and the Helan Mountains to the west. Chengtiansi Pagoda, southwest of downtown, has Sanskrit inscriptions and lotus designs carved into its brick walls. Both structures date to the 5th century but were rebuilt during the Ming and Qing dynasties. They remain active religious sites and light up with colorful LEDs after sunset.

Huaiyuan Night Market

Every evening, this 300-meter-long street in Xingqing District fills with food stalls selling Hui Muslim dishes. Order skewers of grilled lamb seasoned with cumin, thick noodles in steaming mutton soup, or crispy fried mung bean jelly tossed with chili paste. Non-Hui options include spicy malatang hotpot where you choose ingredients from baskets, and candied fruits on sticks. Shops near the market’s east end sell embroidered skullcaps, silver bracelets, and dried wolfberries used in traditional soups and teas.

Practical Information

Yinchuan Hedong International Airport has flights to Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi’an, with taxis reaching downtown in 40 minutes. High-speed trains arrive from Xi’an (6 hours) and Lanzhou (3 hours) at Yinchuan Railway Station, connected to the city by buses 1 and 11. Local buses charge 1–2 yuan per ride and stop at major attractions like the Western Xia Tombs. Plan visits between May and October for warm days and bird-watching opportunities. Winter brings dry cold, with January temperatures averaging -10°C (14°F).