Quick Summary:

Where: Northwest China, along the Yellow River
Base: Yinchuan, with Shapotou near Zhongwei
How long: 5-7 days at a relaxed pace
Best time: May-June and September-October, avoid summer months
Highlights: Xixia Tombs, Helanshan Rock Carvings, Helan Mountain vineyards, Shahu, Shapotou

Ningxia is a region of China that is very little visited from outside of China, and still not the main tourist destination within China. Yet for such a small region, it has plenty to offer: desert landscapes, star gazing experiences, mountains, UNESCO listed Xixia tombs and more – and all of that in a small autonomous region that can be conveniently explored in a week.

Introduction: why visit Ningxia?

This September I had the opportunity to explore Ningxia on a trip for media and travel content creators organised by the regional tourism board, and it gave me a glimpse into what this little-known province can offer.

For such a small region, the list of things to see is very impressive – Shahu Scenic Area where the lake meets a desert, Shapotou Scenic Area with zip lining across the Yellow River and camel rides, Xixia Tombs – recently listed UNESCO heritage sight, little known Chinese vineyards and much more.

Our trip was very busy, as the organisers made sure we saw as much as possible. This guide adapts what we have experienced to a more relaxed pace of leisurely travel.

Is Ningxia right for you?

Ningxia is a great choice for returning visitors to China like myself who want to go somewhere lesser known, or travellers that make it part of a longer trip. It will be particularly appealing for wine enthusiasts, history lovers and travellers looking for unique stays like a night in the desert hotel.

Traveling here on a higher budget you will have an opportunity to enjoy two things that I think are worth coming for in Ningxia: stargazing in the desert and vineyards.

Ordinary city stays are more affordable so visiting Ningxia on a backpacking trip is definitely an option too!

Ningxia is probably not the top choice for first-time visitors with limited time to spend in China. While I always recommend adding some lesser known places to your itinerary if they fit, in Ningxia the highlight is not the cities themselves so to get the most of your trip, you should spend at least 5 days in the region.

For first-timers, I would recommend complementing classic destinations like Beijing or Xi'an with 1 or 2 lesser known cities like Changsha, Wuhan or Lanzhou.

Getting there and around

Ningxia has 2 main cities that serve as transition points between main attractions – Yinchuan and Zhongwei. You can travel between them with high-speed rail.

Yinchuan is the provinces capital and a starting point for the northern nearby attractions like Shahu Scenic Area, Xixia Tombs and vineyards. It is a good starting point of the trip that is worth spending 4 days there.

Shapotou Scenic Area is closest to Zhongwei and you can get there in a little over 1h by high-speed rail. From Zhongwei you can take a taxi to the tourist area.

From Zhongwei you can continue your journey to Lanzhou, Gansu.

Things to do in Yinchuan

Ningxia Provincial Museum

I found the Ningxia Museum quite interesting, with many beautiful Xixia Dynasty artefacts. I particularly liked pottery and sculptures, but it was fascinating to learn a bit of history as well.

Unless you are a big history fan, I recommend exploring the museum at a leisurely pace on your own. The guides in China tend to give a lot of details that you cannot fully appreciate if you don't already have some background. 1 hour walk around the museum is plenty.

Sunset at Lanshan Park

If in Yinchuan on a sunny evening, you simply have to go watch sunset in Lanshan Park. Why? Because it is almost like it was made for it! There is an amphitheatre that faces West-ish where the sun is setting. And in the classic Chinese fashion, there are many stands with foods and drinks, and music, to make the sunset even more enjoyable. It is a place very popular with locals, so get there early to grab a spot.

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You have to walk up the stairs to get up there, so take it into account if traveling with people with reduced mobility and kids. Don't take a pram with you.

Huaiyuan Night Market

I really loved the Huaiyuan Night Market – it is a real local market where people get great street food and socialise, not just a tourist attraction. There were plenty of fresh fruit to buy, as well as BBQ lamb – many of Ningxia locals are muslims so lamb is very popular.

The market was packed when we came, but we didn't need to queue too long for anything. It was Saturday night – but I would imagine it being relatively busy everyday.

Location: Xixia District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China (near the intersection of Huaiyuan Road and Wencui North Road)

Day trips from Yinchuan

Xixia Imperial Tombs

If you are like me and you have not studied Chinese history, you might not know anything about Xixia dynasty. To introduce it briefly, it is the shortest ruling dynasty that controlled parts of northwestern China from 1038 to 1227, with its capital in today’s Yinchuan. They controlled important Silk Road routes and developed its own writing system and rich Buddhist culture.

The Xixia dynasty, also known as Western Xia, ruled parts of northwestern China from 1038 to 1227 Founded by the Tangut people, it controlled important Silk Road routes and developed its own writing system and rich Buddhist culture.

The kingdom fell to the Mongols in 1227, but its imperial tombs remain near Yinchuan – and in 2025 the tombs have been added as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

I found the tombs and the museum very impressive and I highly recommend visiting as it is the main historical cite in the region.

Helan Mountain rock carvings

The Helan Mountains west of Yinchuan are spectacular by themselves, but they are home to thousands of ancient rock carvings depicting animals, human faces and scenes from the lives of the region’s early inhabitants.

These carvings inspired Han Meilin, a prolific Chinese artist known for his work on the Beijing 2008 Olympic mascots and designing Air China logo. There is a Han Meilin Art Museum built recently near the rock carving that showcases his work. The building itself is designed to blend into the rocky landscape.

For me personally the museum was a highlight of this particular site – the building's architecture and the works of art are impressive. It always amazes me that there is so little knowledge of the Chinese arts, music, writers in the West, and I am always delighted to discover them.

Helan Mountain vineyards

On my trip I have visited a Zhuhai Yuanshi winery and I was very impressed – not only because of the wine but the setting. It felt almost unreal that we are still in China and not in south of France! Chinese entrepreneurs have learned the art of wine making from the French, and a lot of the equipment is imported, so that should not be that surprising.

There are many vineyards near Yinchuan and they are mostly located on one street – the idea borrowed from Napa Valley in the US.

Other popular vineyards include:

I asked my guide whether it is possible to stay in the vineyards and she suggested that even though there are some bed and breakfasts in the village, it is not convenient and more expensive.

If you are short on time and have only a a vineyard visit planned, staying in the city is probably best. If you have longer time and are looking for a relaxed stay, I found some really beautiful options in great surrounding, definitely worth staying few days.

Check out Lostvilla Xiadullan Winery or GrapeJoy Vineyard Retreat.

Shahu Scenic Area

Shahu Scenic Area is a visually interesting place where the lake meets the desert. You get to the desert on a small motorboat, with additional entertainment of flock of goose chasing the boat for some reason.

The area is developed in the "Chinese way" – there is a lot of entertainment in place, robot coffee, camel rides etc. As an adults, I was not as entertained, but traveling with kids I am sure that would have been the highlight of the trip.

Check prices on Trip.com

“Seeing Helan” performance

"Seeing Helan" is an immersive performance that besides of the main show (that moves across different stages, has performers in every corner as well as snacks and souvenirs (of course!). You can watch the performance in full, or watch a bit and take a wander. Either way you can really feel that for a while you went back in time to visit ancient China.

Buy tickets on Trip.com

Zhongwei and Shapotou

Shapotou Scenic Area

If you feel like you only need to see one desert landscape on your journey, make it Shapotou rather than Shahu. Shapotou also allows you to see some contrast – the desert starts directly at the river banks of Yangtze River – and entertainment, but also here the desert landscape is huge, and it is the kind of desert you know from books – just enormously vast sandy landscape.

You can experience camel rides, truck rides on the dunes, rotating platform with the view, sandsliding, zip lining across Yellow River... you get the idea! There are also few "instagrammable" locations like an art gallery in the desert or sculptures.

Staying in the desert

While visiting in one day is possible, it is an overnight stay in the desert that will make the trip special. There are many hotels located in the Shapotou Scenic Area. The most popular ones (and the most luxurious!) are Tengol Hotel and Desert Star Hotel.

Suggested 5–7-day itinerary

Ningxia with kids

I have not visited Ningxia with kids (yet!) but based on my experience with what my kids love in China, I would say that the highlights for them would be both desert areas – Shahu and Shapotou. I would definitely recommend staying in the desert hotel if possible.

Lanshan Park, night market and "Seeing Helan" performance are also not to miss.

If you want to experience vineyards while traveling with kids, I would recommend staying in a vineyard and enjoy the wine they have there, rather than do a vineyard tour.

Practical tips and best time to visit

I visited Ningxia in mid-September and the weather was very pleasant. It was quite warm during the day, but due to the dry climate it was manageable. In the desert make sure to drink plenty of water as you can get dizzy from the sun.

Most Chinese people wear full protection when visiting (for the face, arms, everything) which might be excessive, but I do recommend buying special socks (they sell them everywhere by the attraction entrance) to put on top of shoes (unless in sandals) – sand really does get everywhere!

Where to go next

I visited Ningxia on a trip that put together Ningxia and Gansu, and I feel like those two are a perfect fit together – it is only few hours between Zhongwei and Lanzhou, and the two come together nicely as a Silk Road and desert themed journey.

Gansu - Baba goes China!
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Alternatively, if you want more of classic China, Zhongwei and Yinchuan also connect nicely with Xi'an – with 4h and 3.5h journeys on high-speed rail respectively.