Missing Ningxia might be a regret for you~
Here is a travel guide for Ningxia in August to help you have a wonderful holiday in Ningxia.
Preparation
- Documents: Bring your ID card, student ID, military officer ID, etc. Some attractions offer discounts.
- Clothing: August in Ningxia is hot during the day with large temperature differences between morning and evening. Bring summer clothes like short sleeves and shorts, as well as a light jacket, sun protection clothing, hat, sunglasses, comfortable sports shoes, and slippers.
- Skincare and sun protection: Prepare high SPF sunscreen, hydrating masks, lip balm, hand cream, etc.
- Medicine: Prepare cold medicine, fever reducers, gastrointestinal medicine, motion sickness medicine, etc. For desert areas, bring insect repellent medicine.
Recommended Attractions
- Shapotou: Combines desert, Yellow River, mountains, and oasis. You can experience Yellow River zipline, desert dune buggy, sand sliding, and take a sheepskin raft downstream. In the evening, enjoy the beautiful "Sunset over the Long River."
- Zhenbeibu Western Film Studio: Filming location for many movies including "A Chinese Odyssey." You can wear ancient costumes and take photos at Qing City’s "Pansi Cave" and Ming City earthen walls. After 4 PM, the soft light is perfect for backlit portraits.
- Western Xia Tombs: Known as the "Eastern Pyramids," it is the burial site of several emperors of the Western Xia Dynasty. It is recommended to rent an audio guide to learn about Western Xia history. The creative ice cream at the entrance is uniquely shaped and worth trying.
- Shahu Ecotourism Area: Features both Jiangnan water town scenery and desert landscapes. In July and August, thousands of lotus flowers bloom. You can take a rowboat in the reed marshes and try desert motorbikes. At dusk, watch the sunset from the bird-watching platform.
- Lanshan Park: Features Roman-style architecture. In the evening, enjoy the sunset here and take photos with Roman columns for great shots.
Food Recommendations
- Hand-pulled lamb: Ningxia’s signature dish, simmered in clear water and served with garlic vinegar sauce, tender and fresh.
- Braised lamb offal: Made mainly from lamb innards, cooked with chili oil and milky meat broth, spicy and flavorful.
- Lamb minced meat noodles: Handmade noodles with a chewy texture, topped with stir-fried minced lamb, potatoes, and carrots, sour and spicy to whet the appetite.
- Spicy Hu Hu: Choose your own skewers dipped in a secret spicy sauce, intensely spicy and satisfying. Recommended places are "Wu Jia" or "Jin Wei Zhai."
- Eight Treasures Tea: A blend of tea leaves, goji berries, red dates, and other eight ingredients, combining tea aroma with fruity fragrance.
Accommodation Arrangements
- Xingqing District, Yinchuan: Recommended hotels include "Yinchuan JW Marriott," close to Drum Tower and Huaiyuan Night Market, convenient for travel and dining.
- Shapotou, Zhongwei: Options include Desert Star Hotel and Yellow River Hostel, offering unique accommodations and beautiful views.
- Tengger Desert: Includes camel camps and Shapotou Dawan village homestays, cost-effective and immersive desert experiences.
Transportation Guide
- External transportation: Visitors from other places usually arrive at Yinchuan Hedong International Airport, then take airport shuttle buses, taxis, etc., to the city center.
- Internal transportation: Attractions are far apart; it is recommended to rent a car or join a small group of 2-6 people, costing about 500 RMB/day or 1200 RMB per person including tickets. Public transportation is also available but some attractions require transfers.