Top 9 Yinchuan Attractions | Things to Do in Yinchuan 2024

There are hundreds of worthy destinations in China catering to different tastes, and Ningxia is no exception. As the essence of Ningxia, Yinchuan must be listed in your Ningxia itinerary. But what does traveling Yinchuan really mean? It means a wild nature feast, a cultural discovery, a history exploration, an exotic atmosphere feeling, a sip of fragrant wine, etc.. Finding some things to do and some places to visit in Yinchuan is just easy. Here we select the best Yinchuan travel experience for your reference. Feel free tell us your favorites to create your own Yinchuan memory.

No.1: Western Xia Imperial Tombs - Chinese Pyramid

Top Attractions & Things to Do in Yinchuan

No.1 and No.2 Tombs

Top Attractions & Things to Do in Yinchuan

No.3 Tomb

Type: Historic Sites, Cemeteries

Best Time: May ~ October

Recommended Visiting Time: 1 ~ 3 hours

Opening Hours: 8:30 - 19:00

Tickets: CNY 88)

Address: East Range of the Helan Mountain, Yinchuan City (宁夏回族自治区银川市西夏区贺兰山东麓)

Western Xia Imperial Tombs are a group of tombs of imperial emperors in once a powerful kingdom called Western Xia (1038~1227). About 25km away from Yinchuan City, it is the largest survived imperial tombs park in China as well as the largest survived Western Xia relic site. Influenced by Buddhist architecture, the Western Xia Mausoleum has organically combined Han culture, Buddhist culture and Dangxiang culture, forming a unique form of Chinese cemetery architecture. Apart from the tombs, the Western Xia Museum, Tablet Forest and Western Xia Art Museum also walk you through the history of Western Xia Dynasty.

There are 9 imperial tombs and over 250 subordinate tombs in the mausoleum park, but only Yu Tomb, Jia Tomb and Tai Tomb are open to the public. Among the three tombs, Tai Tomb (No. 3 Tomb), where the founding emperor - Li Yuanhao buried, is the biggest highlight. From the ruins, you can clearly see the location and layout of the burial complex, and well-preserved cultural relics including tomb walls, tomb platforms, foundation and building components.

☛ 3 Days Yinchuan History and Culture Tour

No.2: Rock Painting of Helan Mountain - Art Gallery of Chinese Nomadic People

Top Attractions & Things to Do in Yinchuan

Helan Mountain Rock Painting

Top Attractions & Things to Do in Yinchuan

Helan Mountain Rock Painting

Type: Historic Sites, Points of Interest, Landmarks

Best Time: May ~ October

Recommended Visiting Places:8:30 - 17:30

Tickets: CNY 60

Address: East Range of the Helan Mountain, Yinchuan City (宁夏回族自治区银川市西夏区贺兰山东麓)

Helan Mountain is an isolated mountain forming a significant natural barrier against desert winds as well as the place where China’s early northern nomadic tribes like Huns, Xianbei, Turks, Unighurs, Tubos, Dangxiang, etc. lived and proliferated. There are many things to see in Helan Mountain, and the No.1 sight must be Rock Painting of Helan Mountain which dated back to 10,000 years ago.

On the rocks of Helan Mountain, you can enjoy numerous pictographs depicting animals, faces, hunting scenes and some Western Xia characters in real life, as well as opening a window into early civilizations. There is also an excellent museum in the Rock Painting of Helan Mountain Scenic Area summarizing the major rock painting sites and displaying hundreds of exhibits from around the world. In order to get a better understanding of the paintings, we suggest you hire a travel guide or book a private tour package with China Discovery.

☛ 5 Days Ningxia Discovery Tour from Yinchuan to Zhongwei Shapotou

No.3: Shuidong Cave - A Gallery of Ancient People’s Life

Top Attractions & Things to Do in Yinchuan

The Museum in Shuidong Cave

Top Attractions & Things to Do in Yinchuan

The Great Wall of Ming Dynasty

Type: Historic Sites, Points of Interest, Landmarks

Best Time: May ~ October

Recommended Visiting Time: 1 ~ 3 hours

Opening Hours: 8:30 - 17:30

Tickets: CNY 60

Address: Linhe Town, Lingwu City, Yinchuan City (银川市灵武市临河镇水洞沟旅游区)

As the earliest archaeological site of Paleolithic Age, Shuidong Cave has got several titles, such as the Cradle of the Prehistoric Archaeology and the Witness of the communication between the East and the West. The archaeological area is a big highlight of Shuidong Cave that records the living and multiplying of human beings like a gallery. Apart from archaeological significance, Shuidong Cave is also China’s best-preserved showplace of military and defensive structures, such as the ancient City Wall of Ming Dynasty, old watchtowers, arsenals, etc. Moreover, because of its geographical location on the southern border of Ordos, it owns an amazing Yardan landscape and offers great wonders of earth forests.

There are a lot of small points of interest in Shuidong Cave Scenic Area, including Cangbing Cave with an elaborate network of underground tunnels, Shuidong Cave Ruins Museum, Great Wall of Ming Dynasty, Archaeological Site Yuanyang Lake, Shuiwan Great Wall, etc. You will get lots of opportunities to discover the mystery of Shuidong Cave. Besides, there are some special communication media (like yaks, rafts, camels, tractors…) and interesting entertainments to experience (like bumper cars and archery) to experience.

☛ 4 Days Best of Ningxia Tour with Tengger Desert Adventure

No.4: Ningxia Museum - Cavernous Museum with Rock Art and Silk Road Artefacts

Top Attractions & Things to Do in Yinchuan

The History Exhibition Hall

Top Attractions & Things to Do in Yinchuan

Collections in Ningxia Museum

Type: Museums

Best Time: All the Year Round

Recommended Visiting Time: 1 ~ 3 hours

Opening Hours: 9:00 - 17:00 (Closed on Monday)

Tickets: Free

Address: No. 6, East Street, Renmin Square, Jinfeng District, Yinchuan City (银川市金凤区人民广场东街6号)

Nothing is more informative than a museum if you want to get an in-depth understanding of a city. Located in the city center of Yinchuan, Ningxia Museum is a comprehensive museum with a high quality display of artefacts. There are 4 classic exhibition halls with over 51,000 cultural relics, including metals, porcelains, potteries, calligraphies and paintings, rock paintings, old coins, etc., giving great context to the history, culture, religions, and local folk features of Ningxia. Several valuable Qurans are also cherished in the Museum. Most of the exhibits are explained in both Mandarin and English.

By visiting the museum, you may get amazed by what a powerful kingdom Western Xia used to be, learn how Ningxia became the region today, understand Western Xia’s role in the Silk Road, see the history of Chairman Mao in Ningxia…

☛ 3 Days Yinchuan History and Culture Tour

No.5: China Western Film Studios - The Hollywood in the East

Top Attractions & Things to Do in Yinchuan

China Western Film Studios

Top Attractions & Things to Do in Yinchuan

China Western Film Studios

Type: Points of Interest, Landmarks

Best Time:All the Year Round

Recommended Visiting Time: about 3 hours

Opening Hours: 9:00 - 17:00

Tickets: CNY 80

Address: Zhenbaeibao Town, Xixia Town, Yinchuan City (银川市西夏区镇北堡镇)

China Western Film Studios, used to be the frontier barrier, now is a famous filming base in China. The most famous Chinese films shot here include Red Sorghum, A Chinese Odyssey, New Longmen Inn, etc. Chinese-language film buffs can easily figure out some of the classical sets while walking through the scenes, but it doesn’t matter if you are not one of them. Because it is still fun to visit the fake earthy villages or castle relics and imagine how the ancient people lived there. Besides, you can see various stores with local traditional souvenirs and old buildings with exquisite arts of carving. Experience camel riding is also available here.

No.6: Chateau Changyu Moser XV- A Taste of Yinchuan

Top Attractions & Things to Do in Yinchuan

The Garden in Chateau Changyu Moser XV

Top Attractions & Things to Do in Yinchuan

The Architecture in Chateau Changyu Moser XV

Type: Wineries

Best Time: All the Year Round

Recommended Visiting Time: a half day

Tickets: CNY 100

Address: Zhenbaeibao Town, Xixia Town, Yinchuan City (银川市西夏区镇北堡镇)

Ningxia is one of the premier wine regions in China. No matter you are a wine lover or not, visiting a winery to take a sip of the wine is a great experience if you travel to Ningxia. In Yinchuan, the top recommended winery must be Chateau Changyu Moser XV which is a high-end winery involving grape-planting, wine-producing, wine culture exhibition and sightseeing. Chateau Changyu got its name after Chateau Chief Wine Maker, the 15th descendant of Moser family, a famous making family and expert in wine grape planting in Europe. Equipped with vineyards, well-manicured lawn, sculptures and water fountain, Chateau Changyu shows a very picturesque environment. On its second floor is the Wine museum and on the third floor is a conference room and wine institute with classrooms.

No.7: China-Arab Axis Landscape Avenue

Top Attractions & Things to Do in Yinchuan

China-Arab Axis Landscape Avenuen Scenery

Top Attractions & Things to Do in Yinchuan

Chinese Buildings in China-Arab Axis Landscape

Type: Points of Interest, Landmarks

Best Time: All the Year Round

Opening Hours:24 hours open

Recommended Visiting Time: 1 ~ 3 hours

Admission: Free

China-Arab Axis Landscape Avenue was built to memorize the China-Arab Economic and Travel Forum’s permanent settlement in Yinchuan. Its main road is 2,100 meters long and 58 meters wide. The miniature of many famous Arabic buildings is displayed in the Culture and Leisure Area in the center of the road. On the two sides of the area are lined with Arabic corridors. The entire landscape avenue looks elegant, unique, solemn and spectacular, white and flawless with a unique style in the bright sun. Walking on the road, you can see some buildings decorated with Chinese features, like Chinese knot, Square Ding, Chinese yard, etc., while the other half is decorated with Arabic features like pyramid statues and onion domes. It is also recommended to visit at night, because the night view is really fascinating.

No.8: Haibao Pagoda - The Oldest Buddhist Temple in Yinchuan

Top Attractions & Things to Do in Yinchuan

Majestic Haibao Pagoda

Top Attractions & Things to Do in Yinchuan

See Haibao Pagoda in Distance

Type: Points of Interest, Landmarks, Towers, Parks

Best Time: All the Year Round

Recommended Visiting Time:1 ~ 2 hours

Opening Hours:

Tickets: CNY 10

Address: Minzu North Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan City (银川市兴庆区民族北街路西)

Haibao Pagoda enjoys a long history of over 1,500 years and is praised as an excellent ancient architectural heritage site in China. Standing in the north suburb of Yinchuan City, it is also known as the North Pagoda. The whole structure is a square-shaped 9-storey 11-level pavilion-style brick pagoda. The ground floor is the tower seat, with a coupon door in the middle. The second to tenth floors of the tower have the same plane form, but the size of each part is divided. On the top of the tower, a huge peach-shaped green glazed pagoda is placed on the spires at the four corners, which forms a sharp contrast with the gray tower body, making people feel dignified and bright in color. Apart from the pagoda itself, it is also fun to walk in the park and see local people’s daily activities here.

If you are keen on antique buildings, there are some other places worth a visit, such as Drum Tower, Nanguan Mosque, Yuhuang Pavilion, Chengtiansi Tower…

No.9: Huaiyuan Night Market - Paradise for Foodies

Top Attractions & Things to Do in Yinchuan

Huaiyuan Night Market

Top Attractions & Things to Do in Yinchuan

Delicious Ningxia Snacks

Type: Night Markets, Food Streets

Best Time: All the Year Round

Recommended Visiting Time: about 2 hours

Tickets: Free

Address: The Intersection of Huaiyuan Road and Wencui North Road, Xixia District, Yinchuan City (银川市西夏区怀远路和文萃北路的十字路口)

Want to hang out at night? Just go to Huaiyuan Night Market. It is a street dedicated to more leisurely strolling, shopping and eating of course. If you are the one who are interested awesome Ningxia food. There are tons of food stalls with delicious food to please both your tummy and wallet at affordable prices. The most popular special dishes include Jiangshui Noodles, Cake Sandwiched with Mutton, Fried Glutinous Rice Cake, Grid-like Deep-fried Dough Twists, Kunmo, Buckwheat Lump in Bowl, Dough Lumps and Jiaozi Dumplings Stuffed with Minced Mutton, etc.

How to Plan A Yinchuan Tour

How to Get to Yinchuan: It is easy to take a flight to Yinchuan from Beijing (2.5h), Shanghai (about 3h), Xian (about 1.5 h), Guangzhou (about 3 h), Shenzhen (about 3.5h), Chengdu (about 1.5 h), Chongqing (about 2h), etc.

Best Time to Visit Yinchuan: May to October is the best time to visit Yinchuan. It is cold in late autumn and winter (November ~ next February) and rather windy in early and mid-spring (March and April).

Generally, a classic Yinchuan tour takes 3 days, and you can appreciate the amazing culture of the Western Xia Dynasty as well and the featured exotic charm quite different from the major cities in China. On your arrival day, take a short visit to the landmarks in Yinchuan City, such as Haibao Pagoda, Drum Tower, China-Arab Axis, etc. Then, spend a full day admiring the rich culture and art Ningxia in the Western Xia Imperial Tombs and the Rock Painting of Helan Mountain. Of course, you won’t miss one of the top wineries where a cup of wine is offered. Before leaving, get an excellent view of Yinchuan in Ningxia Museum and visit the underground tunnels in Shuidong Cave in half a day.

☛ 3 Days Yinchuan History and Culture Tour

A Ningxia tour with itinerary only in Yinchuan is not complete. For more incredible landscapes, don't hesitate to extending your tour to Zhongwei. The top-haves include a visit to Shapotou Desert with beautiful wilderness and interesting activities and a peaceful and luxury accommodation in Suji Yellow River. For travelers in search of adventure, take a Jeep Safari through Tengger Desert. With more time, go to Guyuan to be awed at the valuable grottoes art in Xumishan Grottoes. See all Ningxia Tour Packages>

☛4 Days Best of Ningxia Tour with Tengger Desert Adventure
☛ 5 Days Ningxia Discovery Tour from Yinchuan to Zhongwei Shapotou
☛ 6 Days Ningxia Luxury Homestay Tour with Winery and Desert Camping

Zhangye Danxia Lanform Our customer Jeff from USA visited Shapotou Desert in May 2021 Zhangye Danxia Lanform Our customer Jeff from USA visited Shapotou Desert in May 2021

Recommended Yinchuan Tours

Top 3 Yinchuan tours chosen by most customers to explore Yinchuan in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.

Jeep Safari in Tengger Desert (vehicle for reference only)

4 Days Best of Ningxia Tour with Tengger Desert Adventure

Yinchuan / Tengger Desert

Cruise leisurely on the Yellow River in Qingtongxia

5 Days Ningxia Discovery Tour from Yinchuan to Zhongwei

Yinchuan - Qingtongxia - Zhongwei

Homestay in Suji Yellow River (for reference only)

6 Days Ningxia Luxury Homestay Tour with Winery and Desert Camping

Yinchuan / Qingtongxia / Zhongwei

Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once inquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.

Customize a Trip

Have a question? Get answers from our travel experts or guests

  • Your Question:
  • Your Name:
  • Your Email:
  • Submit