Top 20 Best Things to Do in Ningxia

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M56***56

Traveling day and night, covering thousands of miles, we arrived at Shapotou Scenic Area, where we experienced the majestic and desolate desert, enjoyed the fun of sandboarding, and gazed at the long river, finally fulfilling our long-cherished wish! The scenic area was clean and hygienic, with no unpleasant odors in the restrooms!

136***60

I went there because of the filming locations for "A Chinese Odyssey," fulfilling a childhood dream. Many scenes are still exactly the same. I owe Stephen Chow a movie ticket, hahaha. It was a great experience, and I'll definitely come again.

Rejector

The scenery was quite unique, but the part at Tomb No. 4 on the tour bus involved a horse-drawn carriage ride. Honestly, after seeing the first two tombs, many people were a bit tired of Tomb No. 4, and didn't even get off the bus. The carriage ride itself was just so-so; you can skip it if you want.

_WB***59

A highly recommended attraction, rich in content and boasting spectacular scenery. The entrance begins with the World Rock Art Museum, where you can learn about the meaning of the rock paintings. Then, you take a sightseeing bus to the Helan Mountain Rock Art area. The bus is enclosed, so it's not cold. The Helan Mountains here are rocky mountains, majestic and precipitous. The rock art signs make them easy to find. We were even lucky enough to see a argali sheep! After viewing the rocks, take another sightseeing bus, a mere 3-minute ride, to the Han Meilin Art Museum. The Han Meilin Art Museum is also excellent, with exquisite sculptures and paintings.

M23***30

A great place to see authentic archaeology. The Soldier Cave is highly recommended. Unfortunately, I missed the show due to lack of time. The camel ride was affordable. The so-called special transportation options, aside from the tractor, were just average. The museum and the Soldier Cave offer free guided tours, which was highly recommended.

Anonymous user

The cable car was out of service, and I even went into the wrong entrance on the way up, ending up on a side path. Luckily, I found my way back. The scenery at the top and down the mountain was beautiful. After the climb, I can go for a drink in the afternoon.

云朵上的喵

Because of the rain, the booked Shuidonggou Scenic Area was temporarily closed, so we changed it to Qingtongxia Scenic Area. The itinerary was quite good; we took a boat, went rafting on sheepskin rafts, and experienced the 108 Pagodas. Finally, we took a large truck to ferry us out.

有理喻的人0

I specifically visited this place because of the opening credits of "A Chinese Odyssey." Seeing Zixia boating among the reeds, accompanied by a melodious tune, brought back memories of thirty years ago. It takes about an hour to drive here from Yinchuan. The price is a bit expensive; the entrance fee plus transportation costs nearly 200 yuan per person. It feels overdeveloped, with too many unnecessary facilities added for commercial purposes, disrupting the original tranquility and serene natural beauty. The roaring seaplanes and speedboats, and the incredibly long return trip (from the island to the sand dunes to the pier, it takes about 20 to 30 minutes to walk). If you're short on time, this isn't a must-see attraction in Yinchuan.

M46***54

I went to the hot springs again, this time with my parents. The hot spring environment is still very good, the water quality is good, the sand therapy is great, the privacy is good, the staff has a good service attitude and is kind. There is a staff member named Chen Shuxia who is very good. She took the initiative to help get towels and serve tea. She repeatedly reminded us to take our mobile phones and valuables with us and make sure they are waterproof. My parents were very satisfied with this hot spring trip

M2a***er

The Ningxia Museum is a seriously underrated gem! If you think it's just a "Western Xia artifacts exhibition hall," you're missing out on so many surprises. 【Three Must-See Reasons】 A Three-Dimensional Cross-Section of the Silk Road: From Northern Dynasties Silk Road relics to Tang Dynasty Sogdian Whirl Dance stone carvings, the artifacts connect not only the history of Ningxia, but also a vivid scene of the collision between Central Asian civilization and the Central Plains. The gilded bronze ox and the stone Sogdian Whirl Dance lintel are the heart and soul of the museum, but even more breathtaking are the restored Northern Dynasties mural tombs—instantly transporting you to an ancient frontier where diverse beliefs coexisted. The Architecture Itself is a Work of Art: The U-shaped dome design subtly reflects the concept of "round heaven and square earth," allowing natural light to pour down from the top, illuminating the Western Xia-themed relief walls, where light and shadow flow with time. Even without the artifacts, this building, blending Islamic style with Han symmetry, is worth a special trip. The Overlooked "Hidden Path": Most people head straight to the Western Xia Hall on the second floor, but it's recommended to first visit the rock painting exhibition hall on the first floor. Those ancient gazes and symbols carved into the stones will become the "code" to understanding the artifacts you see later—the origins of the Western Xia totems are hidden here. 【Avoidance Guide】 Off-peak Tip: Enter 1.5 hours before closing time on weekday afternoons for a private experience. Guided Tour Tip: Instead of renting an electronic guide, try the free guided tours (one in the morning and one in the afternoon), where guides often add anecdotes from the archaeological sites. Bonus Floor: Don't miss the temporary exhibitions on the top floor; recent exhibitions have featured Afghan treasures and Helan Mountain minerals—the quality is amazing. 【Mind-Blowing Details】 The glass display cases are made of low-reflective material, so you don't need to avoid reflections when taking photos. The rest area has a touchscreen kiosk for Western Xia documents, allowing you to access the full digitized text of the *Jixiang Bianzhi Kouhe Benxu*. In the corner of the cultural and creative shop, there are "artifact restoration experience kits" where you can assemble porcelain model pieces yourself. If I had to nitpick, perhaps the interactive installations are a bit dated. But when you stand before the Kalavinka glazed roof ornament, watching the blue-green glaze still flow from a thousand years ago—this direct confrontation with the pinnacle of civilization—it more than makes up for any shortcomings. I recommend allowing at least four hours. After viewing the exhibition, head to the rooftop terrace for a panoramic view of the Helan Mountains' skyline interwoven with the modern city. At that moment, you'll suddenly understand: the most precious exhibit in a museum is time itself.