Exploring the Wonders of
Ning xia
A fertile oasis beyond the Great Wall ⛰️
Land of Starry Skies ✨
Latitude: 35°14′N to 39°23′N
Longitude: 104°17′E to 107°39′E
💎 Ningxia’s coordinates shape its dual identity: a "fertile oasis beyond the Great Wall" in the irrigated north and an arid belt in the central-south. The Yellow River (397 km within Ningxia) sustains its agricultural heartland, while its transition between grasslands, deserts, loess plateaus, and the Mongolian Plateau creates unique ecological and cultural landscapes.x
🌐Geographic Coordinates of Ningxia
Overview
Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (hereafter referred to as Ningxia) is a treasure trove of natural beauty and cultural richness.
Mountain ⛰️
River 💦
Lake 🌊
Desert 🏜️
Grassland 🍃
Known as
"China's Ecological Miniature Landscape" ,
Ningxia is a place where the saying "He who has not been to the Great Wall is not a true man" resonates deeply.
It is the
"hometown of stars",
where one can gaze at the brilliant stars in the vast desert.
The local delicacies, such as
salt lake lamb, fresh goji berries, and wine
, are sure to impress you.
The closer you get,
the more you realize that Ningxia truly deserves the title of
"Treasured Ningxia"!
Nature's Spectacle — Desert, River, Starry Skies
A fertile oasis beyond the Great Wall ⛰️
Unique Geography
People say that to experience the vast geography of China in the shortest time, one must visit Ningxia.
Ningxia’s unique geographic location makes it one of
the most colorful places in China
, featuring towering mountains, steep canyons, golden deserts, winding rivers, Gobi grasslands, and charming water towns. Among the 10 major categories of tourism resources in China, Ningxia boasts 8 categories and 46 types, earning the title of
"China's Ecological Miniature Landscape."
The River and The Mountains
Ningxia is the only province in China that is
entirely located within the Yellow River basin
. Surrounded by the
Tengger Desert
,
the Maowusu Sandy Land, and the Ulan Buh Desert, the Helan Mountains
serve as a natural barrier, blocking cold northern winds and creating fertile plains.
The waters of the Yellow River nourish every inch of Ningxia's land, turning it into a
"South of the Yangtze River in the Desert."
Shapotou
Experience the grandeur of Wang Wei's poem live at Shapotou.
Shapotou is a top 5A-rated tourist spot and China's first desert ecological reserve.
In the desert, the sound of camel bells adds to its enchanting magic.
Shapotou features China's longest sand slide and an 820-meter Yellow River zipline.
Twenty kilometers from Shapotou is Jinsha Island, a stunning desert oasis.
The Hometown of Stars
Stargazing in Ningxia
Walking on the desert and gazing at the starry sky is another romantic way to experience Ningxia. The clear skies are referred to by locals as the
"Hometown of Stars."
With favorable stargazing weather for most of the year, from May to October, the stunning Milky Way can be seen overhead.
The Desert Star Hotel
, located in the desert area of Shapotou, is renowned as a "stargazing paradise," where the night sky full of stars captivates visitors.
The Great Wall
The saying "He who has not been to the Great Wall is not a true man" refers to
the ancient earthen Great Wall from the Qin Dynasty
, located in Guyuan, Ningxia.
The Liupan Mountain
Red Army Long March Tourist Area bears red historical marks and is one of the first 100 classic red tourism attractions in China, forming an important part of the Long March National Cultural Park in Ningxia.
In June, the Liupan Mountain boasts a summer temperature of 18°C, with lush forests and babbling streams, making it feel like a journey back to the South of the Yangtze River.
Beautiful Sand Lake
Ningxia's Sand Lake
combines the strength of the desert with the beauty of southern water towns
. The Sand Lake scenic area seamlessly connects water and desert, creating a unique landscape.
The Sand Lake is
a "world of fish" and "paradise for birds."
With over 200 species and 1.5 million birds, it is one of the most distinctive bird-watching destinations in the country.
Here, you can interact with red-billed gulls; whether standing on the shore or taking a boat, as long as you feed them, they will flock to you.
Historical Ningxia
Walking on the land of Ningxia, you will often exclaim, "So this is right here."
Ningxia is home to the mysterious Western Xia Tombs, stunning Helan Mountain rock paintings, and a "Great Wall Museum" that spans various historical periods in China.
The Great Wall Museum
Ningxia contains remnants of the Great Wall from various periods, earning it the title of “Great Wall Museum.”
From the Spring and Autumn Period to the Western Han Dynasty and beyond, many sections of the Great Wall can be seen in the Ningxia Great Wall Museum.
The Golden Copper Bull
This is the most treasured exhibit in the Ningxia Museum: the gilded copper bull.
Unearthed from the Western Xia Tombs in 1977, it measures 1.2 meters long and weighs 188 kilograms, showcasing superb craftsmanship and metal casting technology, making it a national treasure.
Helan Mountain Rock Paintings
Ningxia's unique geography has made Helan Mountain a place of hunting and nomadic life for ancient Chinese ancestors. The rock paintings in Helan Mountain are a significant representation of their culture and art.
Thousands of rock paintings depicting hunting, dancing, and war scenes, as well as flora and fauna, create a vivid "art gallery."
The Marvelous Ningxia
After learning about Ningxia's history and culture, you will surely fall in love with this place. Each must-visit spot in marvelous Ningxia offers endless surprises.
Watching the Most Beautiful Sunset at Lanshan Park
No visit to Yinchuan is complete without a trip to Lanshan Park, the most popular spot to watch sunsets in Yinchuan 🌇.
The main building of Lanshan Park is modeled after the Roman Colosseum, making it one of the largest open-air theaters in China.
As the sun sets, sitting on the steps of the square, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Helan Mountains, the shimmering waves on the Yuehai Lake, and the charm of the South of the Yangtze River.
The 66th Highway in Zhongwei
The 66th Highway in Zhongwei, located upstream of the Shapotou Scenic Area, is known for its unique geographical environment and beautiful natural scenery.
This highway winds through valleys along the Yellow River, with some straight stretches extending far into the distance, showcasing the distinct scenery of Northwest China.
Many cycling enthusiasts praise this road as one of the most beautiful highways, with countless self-driving and photography fans capturing stunning moments along the way.
Learning a few phrases in the local dialect of Yinchuan will deepen your connection to this magical land.
{Desertification Prevention System}
Passengers on the Bao-Lan Railway never forget crossing the Tengger Desert six times.
Opened in August 1958, the Bao-Lan Railway was China's
first to cross a desert, overcoming the "forbidden zone"
.
Construction faced desertification challenges; a 1x1 meter wheat straw grid proved most effective.
Four generations of efforts led to Ningxia's windbreak and sand fixation system, clearing 20 km of desert for the railway.
In 1994, Zhongwei Afforestation Forest Farm received the "Global Environmental Protection 500" title from the UN, a desertification "miracle."
The Flavors of Ningxia
Ningxia's rich history creates a unique culinary culture. From goji berries and wine to lamb and Wuzhong tea, each dish offers a delightful experience. Food lovers will enjoy Ningxia!
Yanchi Salt Lake Lamb
Yanchi Salt Lake Lamb is regarded as the "ceiling" of lamb meat, celebrated for its fiber toughness, moisture content, and low gaminess, making it not only a great tonic but also a delight for the palate.
Specialties include:
Hand-grabbed lamb
Whole roasted lamb
Spicy stir-fried lamb
Steamed lamb in a bowl
Red-braised lamb
Lamb soup with bread
Lamb pilaf
Lamb offal
Lamb liver cold noodles
Dumplings in broth
You can enjoy lamb in Ningxia with nine different meals a day without repetition!
Ningxia Wine
Without the Helan Mountains, China wouldn't have the best wine-producing regions.
Recently, the popular TV drama "Hometown of Stars" has drawn attention to Ningxia's grape cultivation and wine industry.
On the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountains, abundant sunshine during the day and cool nights create unique flavors in every drop of wine 🍇🍷.
Currently, Ningxia has cultivated 602,000 acres of wine grapes, accounting for about 35% of the national planting area, making it China's largest contiguous wine grape production area.
Summer's Limited Fresh Goji Berries
In the summer of June, it's the perfect time to taste fresh goji berries from Ningxia.
The first fresh goji berries come from Zhongning County, Ningxia, the core production area for goji berries in China. One bite into the fresh goji berry bursts with juice, offering a sweet yet slightly bitter and sour taste.
Ningxia goji berries are the only ones listed in the "Chinese Pharmacopoeia" and have a cultivation history of over 600 years, being the origin of goji berries in the world.
Don't underestimate these seemingly inconspicuous little berries; their vitamin C content is dozens of times higher than that of ordinary fruits.
The Selenium Sand Melon from Zhongwei
In Ningxia, summer isn't complete without the selenium sand melon from Zhongwei.
From July to September, the selenium sand melon from Zhongwei is harvested. Known as the "Gobi watermelon," it is rich in the healthy element selenium and is called "selenium sand melon." It is large, delicious, and sweet.
The selenium sand melon has even made appearances at the Beijing Olympics, the Shanghai World Expo, and the G20 Hangzhou Summit, making it a true "international melon."
Wuzhong Breakfast Tea
Wuzhong breakfast tea can stand up to a battle with Guangzhou's morning tea.
With over thirty kinds of dishes including:
Fried dough sticks
Noodle twists
Hand-pulled noodles
Fragrant bean flower rolls
Eight treasure tea
Small dishes
Beef
Lamb offal
Soup dumplings
Pan-fried buns
Potstickers
Rich cakes
Corn cakes
Steamed rice cakes
Stirred rice
These dishes are all served in local noodle shops, where breakfast is laid out in full spread, showcasing a hardcore style.
Ningxia Spicy Hotpot
Ningxia's spicy hotpot, known for its rich and spicy flavors, has recently emerged as a new favorite in the culinary scene. The sticky red broth, filled with various skewers, is particularly enticing.
Unlike the beef oil hotpot from Sichuan and Chongqing, the hotpot broth is made with fresh chili powder, cumin, and other spices simmered in chicken soup.
The soul of the broth is naturally the chili peppers, especially the sweet and fragrant "sheep horn chili" from Pingluo County, which doesn't scorch the mouth.
Among the most popular dishes is potato slices grown in terraced fields. When boiled, they become incredibly soft and delicious.
Another must-try is the beef tendon noodles 🤤, where the rich spicy sauce melts in your mouth, offering a delightful experience!
What is Ningxia?
Majestic, bold, grand, gentle, and abundant.
Meeting here creates a "South of the Yangtze River in the Desert."
Today, Ningxia is embarking on a new journey of high-quality development
This is Ningxia, a land filled with treasures yet to be discovered.
Have you ever been to Ningxia? Share your impressions of Ningxia!