Ningxia Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)

Here's a reason for you to visit Zhongwei

Zhongwei City, located in the central and western part of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of China, is a place full of natural scenery and historical culture. Zhongwei is a frontier fortress on the 'Silk Road' and has been a strategic military location in the northwest region since ancient times. Currently, it is the third largest railway traffic hub connecting the northwest and north China, and is a must-pass place for the 'East-West Passage' of the Eurasian Continental Bridge. The territory integrates five major landforms: river alluvial plain, plateau, desert, mountain, and hill, and is known as 'The Yellow River enriches Ningxia, and Zhongwei is the richest'. Zhongwei has the national 4A-level tourist attraction Shapotou, which integrates sand, mountains, rivers, and gardens; the Sikouzi tourist area known for its dangerous and unique Danxia landform; the Paleolithic site of Yibowquan, ancient rock paintings, Zhongwei Gaomiao, Shuanglongshan Grottoes, Haiyuan 'Global Earthquake' site and many other historical sites and scenic spots. They are not only unique tourism resources, but also show the brilliant ancient civilization and profound cultural heritage of Zhongwei, winning the reputation of 'Cultural Pearl of the Frontier'. Here is the boundless desert, here is the most romantic hotel, here is the night sky full of stars... Various labels make everyone curious and longing for it. I believe there is always one reason that attracts you to visit.

This beautiful scroll of Zhongwei, we slowly open it to appreciate its magnificence

Zhongwei City, located in the middle of Ningxia, is not unfamiliar to those who love travel and life! 'Desert solitary smoke straight' is her true portrayal, the sunset glow is her most beautiful color, the vast Yellow River flows through, the easily overlooked grassland and other elements constitute a magnificent natural scroll unique to Zhongwei. This beautiful scroll, we can slowly open it to appreciate its magnificence! 1⃣️Zhongwei Museum To understand a city, start from its museum, and so is Zhongwei. Walking into the museum, through the displayed cultural relics and materials, you can understand its past and present in a more direct way! 2⃣️Shapotou As the first batch of national 5A scenic spots, Shapotou has become the most representative scenic spot in Zhongwei. Here you can delve into the majestic desert scenery and enjoy the magnificent view of the Yellow River. 3⃣️ Tengger Desert As an important filming location for the movie 'The Treasure Hunter' starring Jay Chou, the Tengger Desert has long entered the public eye. Here you can see both the vast desert landscape and the rippling lake scenery, you can experience desert star camping, and you can ride a camel to chase the sunset in the sand sea. 4⃣️Route 66 The spectacular rock desert standing in the sand sea records the vicissitudes of Zhongwei; the flocks of sheep that often appear on both sides of the road add vitality and color to this sand sea; in the evening, the sunset glow, press the shutter at this moment, what is recorded is the best scenery of Zhongwei!

Desert Star: Mingle in The Middle

Address - Shapotou Tourist Area Time and Space Gate Visitor Center Reception Desk, Zhongwei, 755000, Ningxia, China. Getting There - 9km away from Zhongwei Xiangshan Airport or in my case 7.3km from railway station (Guangzhou Baiyun Airport->Hedongjiang Airport->Zhongweinan Railway Train Station) Ambiance/Facilities - The room is very clean and the area is covered with lots of helpful and lovely staffs roaming around fulfilling the requests from customers 🥰 Highlights - The night view over the whole area (using drone) as shot and of course star gazing at night at the Star Gazing platform prepared. Rating - 4.7/5 #thisischina #travelinspiration #travelwithgeo #travelphotography #chinatravel #wanderlust #droneview #ningxia #dji

Took a trip out of the city to see China's northwest! Great way to spend the New Year holiday. Recommendations: 1. Desert Star Hotel (沙漠星星) it's about two hours from Yinchuan airport by high-speed rail and then taxi. Great sunrise views over the sand dunes! 2. Xipo Hostel in Shapotou. It has a very old west Americana vibe with an awesome little community. Also you can see parts of the old Great Wall 3. Route 66 … a 1km stretch of road that is very "instagrammable". Really only for the pictures, you can skip if it's not your thing. #newyearstrip #ningxia

The main shooting scenes of domestic classic film and television dramas are two: Nanhengdian North Town Fort This time card: Ningxia's Zhenbei Fort Western Film City Here is a famous film and television work: "Large words Journey to the West, "Red Sorghum" and other hundreds of works, the shooting area there are full memories of wood

You must experience the desert of the Great Northwest at least once.

Here comes the travel guide! ☆In just two days, we'll take you to have a blast in the desert, check out the famous Route 66, visit the primitive village of Beichangtan, and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Shapotou with its 'solitary smoke in the desert, long river setting sun'! ☆On the first day, you can play in Yinchuan in the morning before heading to the desert. Recommended spots include the Western Xia Tombs and Zhenbeibao Western Film City. It is suggested to arrive at the desert around three or four in the afternoon to avoid the strongest UV rays at noon. Be sure to bring sunglasses and apply sunscreen! ☆Outfit suggestions: Bring beautiful solid-colored long dresses or Western cowboy-style clothing for amazing photos! ☆Here come the most fun desert activities! ▲First, cars. There are two types: flat line in and out, and surfing. Pregnant women, those with weaker constitutions, and the elderly are recommended to choose flat line in and out. For those who like excitement and have strong physical endurance, surfing is recommended (be sure to fasten your seatbelt!) ▲Second, desert buggy. The roller coaster of the desert, a must for thrill-seekers and adventurers, giving you a flying sensation. ▲Third, desert go-karts/motorcycles. Control the steering wheel yourself, play however you want, and go wild in the desert. ▲Fourth, camel riding. Experience the transportation of the desert and imagine yourself walking on the Silk Road. ▲Fifth, sand sliding. You get a sandboard and can slide as long as you want. ☆At night, stay in the popular Moroccan tents, sit by the lake, enjoy a romantic candlelight hot pot and red wine, and toast together. Isn't it delightful! ☆Such a wonderful desert night is incomplete without fireworks and disco. Watch the beautiful fireworks, gather around the fire, drink and chat with your beloved family and friends, have a wild desert disco, watch the sunset, see the stars, take great photos, and be an extremely romantic person at this moment! ☆The next day, after watching the sunrise and having breakfast, you can continue to play at Shapotou, the famous Route 66, and the primitive village of Beichangtan, which are not far away.

Winter in Ningxia, Feel the Magnificence and Romance.

Winter in Ningxia is not the peak season, hotel prices are low, and the key is that there are fewer people and it's not crowded! Winter in Ningxia can give people a sense of grandeur and desolation. R "The Birthplace of Chinese Prehistoric Archaeology" Shuidonggou The excavation of the Shuidonggou site and relics in Ningxia has confirmed that ancient humans lived and thrived here as early as 30,000 years ago. Although it does not have the small happiness of a southern town, it has its own passage of time. R "Eastern Hollywood" Zhenbeibao Western Film City Zhenbeibao Western Film City is transformed from two forts used by soldiers during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It retains the unique desolate and rugged atmosphere of the northwest frontier, with the city walls still showing the unique desolate and dilapidated yet undefeated scene of the northwest frontier. R "Jiangnan Beyond the Great Wall" Sand Lake When you take a ride and reach the southern area of the scenic spot, what comes into view is a dazzling golden sand dune, fully displaying the grandeur of the northern desert. In the lake area, you can see the rippling lake water and clusters of lush reeds, adding a vibrant feeling to the bleak autumn and winter. R "History Book on Stone" Helan Mountain Rock Paintings The ancient rock paintings on both sides of the stone walls are works from 6,000 years ago, and the ancient art is truly astonishing! The changes in the color of the vegetation in autumn and winter are spectacular and beautiful. R "China's Fourth Largest Desert" Tengger Desert The Tengger Desert after a winter snowfall is grand and serene, with the vast yellow sand covered by white snow, creating a romantic and beautiful fairy tale-like scene. After witnessing the grandeur and wildness of the desert, you must also experience the romantic encounter of the desert and snow. Ningxia is small but beautiful, with vast and desolate geographical features and a blend of diverse cultures, making it different from other places and attracting attention from across the country and the world! The vast desert, the blood-red setting sun, the endless blue sky, the winding Yellow River, fertile fields, towering mountains, and lush vegetation—all these make the beauty of the Ningxia Plain something that only those who have been here are qualified to describe!

Zixia Fairy—Journey to the Western Film Studio.

The first time I went to the Northwest was to visit the filming location of 'A Chinese Odyssey.' I highly recommend renting Zixia's costume to fulfill the dream of being Zixia Fairy. Every movie scene in Zhenbeibao Western Film Studio is a testament to the wisdom of film artists. Although the materials used are simple, the comprehensive design and overall conception by the directors, along with the use of various artistic techniques through the lens, bring visual and auditory impact and shock to the audience, leaving a deep impression of the characters in the drama.

Winter Shahu

One of the new top ten sceneries of Ningxia, located in Pingluo County, Shizuishan City in the northern part of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, at the foot of the Helan Mountains, on the golden bank of the Yellow River. Shahu was originally a butterfly-shaped wetland in the western beach of the Yinchuan plain. Because it resembles a sycee, it is also known as Sycee Lake. The main attractions include: the International Sand Sculpture Park, Bird Island, Lake East Wetland, and the Xinmen District Square, etc.

Ningxia|Shahu, half desert and half seawater

Ningxia|Shahu, half desert and half seawater, is it worth going? Pros: 1. If you want to see a landscape of half desert and half seawater, come here. Sitting by the Shahu, you will feel like you are on the beach. You can go into the water, swim, play with water, it's quite suitable for family. 2. It's relatively close to Yinchuan, Shahu is in Dawukou District, Shizuishan City, about 50 kilometers from Yinchuan. You can buy round-trip sightseeing car plus ticket packages online, which is quite convenient. 3. There are all kinds of fun, like a mini version of Shapotou, you can ride camels, desert surfing, but because we were going to Shapotou the next day, we just enjoyed the scenery and didn't experience it. 4. When you get to Shahu, you will understand why Yinchuan is called 'Jiangnan on the border'. The lotus in Shahu, the pet paradise, Swan Island, feels like any park in Jiangnan. 5. The architecture of the tourist rest center on the island in the lake is very distinctive and photogenic. I was attracted by these photos at the beginning and decided to go to Shahu. Cons: 1. The sand in Shahu is still different from the real desert, not big enough. This is our feeling of going to Shahu before going to Shapotou. If you want to see the real desert, you have to go to Shapotou. 2. Although there is a sightseeing car, you still have to walk a lot to take a boat to the island in the lake. The initial attractions are a bit chicken ribs for people from the south. 3. The boat dock from the island in the lake back to the shore is really too far away. The design of the entire scenic area is not to let you go back, you must pass every point to go back, it's very tiring. No wonder the ticket office at the entrance said that you can't get out without spending 4 to 5 hours. Conclusion: If you have time, it is recommended to go to Zhongwei Shapotou, if you don't want to go too far and rush, Shahu is also worth playing.

The star bird of Shahu Bird Country in November - Swan

November's Shahu is a picturesque place. Under the breeze, the lake is rippling, and the surrounding trees and reeds are tinged with gold. But the most beautiful at this time is the swan leisurely swimming on the lake.

Half lake, half sand 🏜️ The desert lake is truly the "Jiangnan" of the north! 🌆

1⃣️Shahu Lake is a magical place in Ningxia, with a unique landscape of half desert and half lake. Shahu Lake is located in the plain lakeshore of Yinchuan, with a 30,000-acre desert to the south and a lake in the central part of the ancient river channel. The lake and the desert complement each other, forming a magnificent view with the blue waves of the lake and the golden waves of the sand sea. 2️⃣️Explore Shahu Lake, these scenic spots are indispensable! You will understand why Ningxia is called "Jiangnan on the frontier" here. The lotus pond is endless, with endless green lotus leaves and unique red lotus flowers reflecting the sun. In addition to lotus flowers, there are also water lilies~ Bird Island 🏖️. 3️⃣️Shahu Lake is one of the bird-watching sites with the most bird species and numbers in the country, and also the closest one to the birds, suitable for taking photos with children. Surrounding panoramic film. 4⃣️It only takes a few minutes to appreciate the stunning scenery of Ningxia one by one here. The naked eye 5D visual effect is shocking and magnificent! There are various entertainment projects, such as boats, speedboats, parasailing, water planes, and desert camel teams... The entertainment projects in the sand lake are rich and highly playable! 5️⃣️Travel photography suggestion: high shooting rate in desert sand dunes, and you can even take a photo with a camel caravan if the timing is right! Clothing suggestion: red and black, both ethnic and punk styles work well~ Hat, sunglasses, and scarf, essential styling tools! 💗 👌🏻Avoid crowded places, the background is more beautiful in a spacious and clean area~ Scenic spot name: Sha Lake Tourist Area. 💰Ticket price: Based on your visiting needs, buying a package ticket is more cost-effective. Visiting time: 3-5 hours. 🕹️Shahu Address: Xiasha Highway, Pingluo County, Shizuishan

The long desert star river is eternal, life is romantic, living with you

🚗 Life is short, if you have seen mountains and rivers, lakes and seas, then try to go to the desert once, see the golden sand sea, the huge camel group, and the rare oasis, it will make your heart stay~ Feel comfortable 👭 🏃‍♂️The wild wind of the northwest will always blow to every freedom-loving person. The daytime is as passionate as 40 degrees, and the night is as gentle as jade 20 degrees, this is the Tengger Desert. 🌟The endless desert is endless. 🧚🏼Away from the city, find the most free self. 👍Here, there is no trouble, it is really relaxing. 👌Features: Camels, beer, barbecue fireworks 🎆Mountain bike sand sliding 1️⃣Everything in the desert is very complete and sufficient, and you can also bring some food in for barbecue, braised dishes, water, etc. There are usually mineral water, beer and peanuts, melon seeds and the like at the campsite, but they all charge. This place is not as desolate as imagined, and everything you want is available. 2️⃣It is recommended to wear a storm jacket, windproof, it is more appropriate to get up at night to see the stars. You can wear some ethnic style skirts and western cowboy style for taking pictures, they are all super out of the picture. 😄 3️⃣Just bring a pair of slippers, soft sand, you won't want to wear shoes, slippers are the most convenient choice. 🎀 🐭If you are lucky, you can see the small sand rats in the desert. They are super cute, but unfortunately we didn't have time to take pictures and they ran away early. 4️⃣Yellow River Inn Collection 💓💓 Route 66 Stay at the of the Yellow River Inn Collection, The environment, service, and decoration style are all very good, and each room has its own characteristics. The breakfast at the Yellow River Inn Collection is served at the 'Guest' and 'Old Wang Ji Breakfast Shop', which are all buffet style and different, and I love Old Wang Ji more! 🎉Checked in the coffee of the "Zhongwei" logo Daler Wild, the park is designed by a designer, each homestay is different, the boss will have differences after contracting the interior decoration, but the style outside the park is consistent and very healing! 🚗I chartered a car to that day. It is recommended to go to to play the project first, and then go to Route 66, but Shapotou is really hot! When I went there, it was summer vacation, the sun was scorching, so I was very Buddhist, because I had seen the Tengger Desert and experienced the desert project, so I didn't go to Shapotou. I went to Route 66 at 3 o'clock, standing on the hills on both sides, I saw the entire Danxia landform. I returned to the Yellow River Inn Collection at night, and I could sit in the small courtyard, make a pot of canned tea, and look at the stars all over the sky, feeling like a paradise! 5️⃣Yirong Yun Hotel The next day we returned to the city and checked into a hotel in the city center. The parking lot was very large and spacious, parking was very convenient, and the security uncle was very good, helping us with our luggage, and the front desk lady enthusiastically helped us check in. The bathroom in the room is dry and wet separated, and the bedding is also very clean. After putting away the luggage, we are going out for dinner. 💗💗The overall journey is very happy, although the body is a bit tired but the soul is unprecedentedly relaxed! Sisters come to the northwest! If you come, you will regret it for a week, if you don't come, you will regret it for a lifetime!!

Tengger dessert in Northwest-China

Tengger Desert (腾格里沙漠) lies 25 km north of Zhongwei, 150 km south of Yinchuan. It is the fourth largest desert in China. You can find developed touristy area or wild nature. Choose whatever you want. I recommend to rent a car or a driver. Otherwise, you can also book a tour. 🏜️ Enjoying sunrise or sunset from a local guesthouse 🏜️ Ride a motorbike into the dessert 🏜️ Enjoy a Mongolian homestay 🏴 Easy accessable from Zhongwei, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. As mentioned above, car/taxi/tour... If you have a car you can just drive towards the dessert. You will find some guesthouse for sure. The dessert itself is actually in Inner Mongolia, but all the closeby cities are in Ningxia. Have fun and stay safe! Enjoy! #dessert #mongolia #northwestchina #summervacation

In the distant Gansu, the most impressive impression is the slightly deserted Gobi Desert in the northwest. Although, I can't say exactly what the Gobi Desert and the Gobi Desert really look like. Just came to Gansu to start from Lanzhou, and showed me a colorful Gansu, because Gansu's geographical span is large, it is actually richer than I expected. This trip will not go too far into the conventional scenic spot, another kind goes deep into Gansu, but today there is still a chance to have a quick contact with the Tengger Desert.

The Encounter of Tengger Desert and Beichangtan Route 66.

When mentioning Route 66, everyone invariably thinks of the scenes from the American Route 66. The straight road stretches far into the distance, seemingly endless. Driving on such a road has become a dream for many people. In fact, in Zhongwei, Ningxia, we have a similar road. The scenery and views along the way are no less impressive than those of the American Route 66. This road is located in Zhongwei City, in the central-western part of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, at the head of the Yellow River's front loop, and is known as the 'Water City.' This is a rural road, and the destination is Beichangtan, where there are several ancient villages. Starting from Zhongwei, head west along Provincial Highway 201, passing through the Shapotou Scenic Area. Drive to the Mengjiawan Expressway entrance, where there is a southward fork (do not get on the expressway). The signpost at the intersection indicates the direction to Beichangtan. Following this road, you will drive onto the north bank of the Yellow River. After driving 29 kilometers, you will reach Beichangtan (Xiatang Village, Yingpan Town). You can choose to check in at the Tengger Desert in the morning and check in at Beichangtan Route 66 in the afternoon!

Liupan Mountain National Forest Park

National AAAA Scenic Spot, National Forest Park Includes attractions such as Xiaonanchuan, Ecological Museum, Ecological Botanical Garden, Liangdian Gorge, and Wild Lotus Valley. It is the best destination for natural summer retreats, leisure vacations, ecological health preservation, forest exploration, popular science research, and study tours. 01 Scenic Area Tour Routes First stop: Xiaonanchuan, known as the 'Little Jiuzhaigou of the Northwest' Second stop: Ecological Museum Third stop: Ecological Botanical Garden Fourth stop: Liangdian Gorge, the summer retreat of Genghis Khan's troops 02 Scenic Area Ticket Prices I. Liupan Mountain National Forest Park Ticket: 50 RMB/person Ferry car: 40 RMB/person Sightseeing car: 10 RMB/person (one-way) Discount policy: Minors, full-time undergraduate and below degree students with relevant documents are entitled to half-price tickets at 25 RMB/person; Children under 6 years old (including 6 years old) or under 1.2 meters (including 1.2 meters) in height, seniors, disabled persons, active military personnel, and military retirees with relevant valid documents are exempt from the ticket fee. In May 2019, tourists with Fujian ID cards were offered free admission; throughout 2019, tourists with Fujian ID cards were offered a 50% discount on tickets. II. Wild Lotus Valley Ticket: 40 RMB/person Sightseeing car: 20 RMB/person Warm Tips In spring, the weather is dry, please do not bring fire sources into the mountains. The temperature difference between morning and evening in the forest park is large, please carry rain gear and coats at all times, and keep warm. Protecting the environment is everyone's responsibility, please do not litter. Smoking is prohibited in the ecological scenic area.

Liupan Mountain National Forest Park

Liupan Mountain National Forest Park is located in the southern part of Ningxia, spanning two counties and one district: Jingyuan, Longde, and Yuanzhou District, with a total area of 67,800 hectares. The main peak, Migang Mountain, has an altitude of 2942 meters. The main attractions include Wild Lotus Valley, Xiaonanchuan, Liangdian Gorge, Botanical Garden, and Er Long River, among others. This area is a junction of the Central Plains agricultural culture and the northern nomadic culture, a necessary path of the eastern section of the ancient Silk Road's northern route, and a military stronghold contested by military strategists through the ages. The Xiaonanchuan and Liangdian Gorge scenic areas that we visited this time are located more than 5 kilometers from Jinghe Source Town in Jingyuan County, Guyuan City. As the name suggests, this is the source of the Jing River. After entering the visitor center, one must first take a scenic shuttle bus to reach the Xiaonanchuan and Botanical Garden attractions. Due to time constraints, we only visited the Xiaonanchuan scenic area, which offers both water and land trails, with a one-way distance of about 3.5 kilometers. Additionally, there is an electric cart service (10 yuan per person one-way), but the last 0.5 kilometers to reach the Yunnv Waterfall must be walked. It is recommended to enter via the water route and return by electric cart. The scenery along the water route is quite nice, and the last 500 meters or so are probably the essence of Xiaonanchuan, where the road becomes more difficult to navigate. There is also a pine needle forest trail along the way, but due to time constraints and having seen many pine needle forests in the Greater Khingan Range, I did not go there. After visiting the Xiaonanchuan and Botanical Garden attractions, walk about 100 meters uphill to the shuttle bus stop for Liangdian Gorge. You can take the bus to reach the Liangdian Gorge scenic spot. It is advised to only check out the nearby Mongolian yurt-style buildings, Mani stone piles, and lawns at the arrival point of Liangdian Gorge, and there is no need to go down to the riverbank.

This is not Yunnan, this is Ningxia

Here is Guyuan, Ningxia, which is known as 'Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall', and it's not just a boast. ⛰️ Liupan Mountain National Forest Park has a forest coverage rate of over 80%, located in the central triangle area formed by Xi'an, Yinchuan, and Lanzhou, situated in the southern part of Ningxia. The main peak of Liupan Mountain, Migang Mountain, has an elevation of 2942 meters, with a forest coverage rate of over 80%, an average annual temperature of 5.8℃, and an annual precipitation of 676mm, making it an ideal summer retreat. Visiting here in summer is simply perfect. Personal experience: After entering the scenic area through the main gate, I took a shuttle bus to Xiaonanchuan. After getting off, I entered via the waterway. Along the way, the mountains were green, the water was clear, and it was exceptionally cool. Breathing in the fresh air, I began to clear my mind, and all worries dissipated. It was incredibly comfortable – don't even mention how relaxing it was! There is also a museum on the mountain. The museum is not large, but it contains introductions to all the wildlife of Liupan Mountain, as well as many insect specimens. ‼ The waterway is slippery, so it's best to wear comfortable sports shoes; the altitude of the scenic area is high, remember to wear warm clothes; there are various kinds of noodles, grilled sausages, corn, and pancakes available in the scenic area. 💰 Ticket + Shuttle bus: 85r

All the charm of April has faded in the human world, yet a spring outing beckons in the Liupan Mountains!

👍Highly recommended: The garden's spring hues cannot be concealed, for it is the perfect time to admire the flowers in Liupan. April, with its fragrance spreading across the fields, brings a unique romance to the Liupan Mountains. It's a grand meeting set for a spring day surrounded by flowers, an encounter with the blossoming spring charm. ❤Recommended because: If the spring flowers of Liupan Mountain are in bloom, it signifies the arrival of the most enchanting time of the year. As the saying goes, 'Spring breeze, warm spring, sunny spring, enduring spring; the mountains are lush in spring, the waters ripple gently. The shade is spring-like, the air is thick with spring, the garden full of blooming flowers... The spring beauty is splendid, the spring light is vibrant, a few branches of spring apricot add dots of light to the spring...' This 'Spring Poem' by Zheng Banqiao, a great literary figure of the Qing Dynasty, vividly depicts the beautiful spring scenery of the April outing. 🗓Itinerary: Day 1 (April 4th): Pengyang Ruhe Waterfall, Jijinping Terraced Park (5.2 km hike) Day 2 (April 5th): Jingyuan Laolongtan (8 km hike) Day 3 (April 6th): Sumi Mountain Grottoes (4.8 km hike) 📝Tips: Equipment requirements: The activity area temperature (cloudy, 3 to 14 degrees) air quality is good Mid to high-top outdoor hiking boots, quick-dry clothing, fleece jacket, sun hat, trekking poles, 15-22 liter backpack, outdoor headscarf, trash bags, gloves, one meal for the road, one liter of water, knee protectors, trash bags, glasses