Yinchuan - The Phoenix City |
Travel in Ningxia | |||
Yinchuan (yín chuān 银川), the capital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (níng xià huí zú zì zhì qū 宁夏回族自治区), lies to the west of the Yellow River and to the east of Helan Mountain (hè lán shān 贺兰山). The landform is divided into two main parts, the mountainous region in the west and south and the plains in the north and east. The average altitude of Yinchuan is 1,100 meters (about 3,609 feet). Lying in the central section of Ningxia (níng xià 宁夏) Plain which is irrigated by the Yellow River, Yinchuan holds abundant water resources and enjoys the reputation of 'a land of fish and rice in the frontier'.
Yinchuan is a multi-nationality city including Han (hàn 汉), Hui (huí 回), Manchu (mǎn zú 满), Mongolian (méng gǔ 蒙古), and Chaoxian (cháo xiān 朝鲜) peoples. Among them, the Hui people account for 26.3 percent of the total population and they have maintained the traditional folk customs and life style that are unique to other ethnic group.
A brilliant culture has contributed to Yinchuan being a famous tourist city. There are over 60 historical sites including mosques, pagodas, pavilions, temples, and imperial tombs as well as natural scenery such as Helan Mountain, Sand Lake Scenic Resort (shā hú 沙湖) and Shapotou(shā pō tóu 沙坡头), etc. Map
History
Yinchuan is a famous ancient fortress, which has more than 1300 years' history. Since the ancient times, it has been the important frontier defensive city in the northwestern part in China. And it was called the Jiangnan on the fortress.
![]() ![]() Food and Accommodation
![]() Here you can taste the local dishes or snacks of rich Islamic flavor, such as Shouzhua Yangrou (shǒu zhuā yáng ròu 手抓羊肉). Hotels of different grades are available to visitors, providing you warm and comfortable places to relax yourself. For more information please Click Here.
Climate
Yinchuan, situated in the arid northwest of China, has a harsh climate. The temperatures of the four seasons are fairly distinctly separated here, although in any season the likelihood is that you will experience strong winds, dryness and frequent sandstorms. The average yearly temperature is between 8 and 9 degrees C. The coldest month of January averages minus 9, while the hottest month has an average of 23 degrees C. Annual rainfall, despite the picture on our right, is less than 8 inches.
Sights
West Burial tombs
![]() Admission Fee: CNY 48
Helan Mountain Cliff Painting
Situated just 58kms northwest of Yinchuan, the Helen Mountain range is an impressive and truly stunning sight in stark contrast to the surrounding arid desert. These high mountains overlook the Yellow River and feature more than 5,000 images carved into the rocks. First discovered in the 1980s, the ancient images mainly feature animals, birds and rural scenes. Fantastically detailed, the carvings provide a rare insight into ancient life in this part of the world.
![]() ![]() Admission Fee: CNY 50
Liupan Mountains
![]() Admission Fee: CNY 25
ShapotouYellow River and Tengger Desert recreational and nature reserve park, experience magnificent scenery and raft down the Yellow River on rafts made of sheep skins, an unforgettably absurd experience.
![]() Admission Fee: CNY 70
Wester China Film Studio
Located in the desert, two big life-size forts have been built of clay in Ming and Qing periods of China. Many famous Chinese historical movies have been film at this set. When movies are being filmed it is also open to the public, walk around a village from the Ming and Qing periods, and dress up as a Chinese nobel or a savage warrior, with sword and helmets, ready for battle.
Admission Fee: CNY 30
Transportation
A transportation system of highway, railway and airlines in Yinchuan provides speed and convenience. There are several national highways leading to all parts of the country and more than 125 kilometers (about 78 miles) of expressways within the boundaries of the city. Baolan Railway (Baotou in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to Lanzhou in Gansu Province) and Zhongbao Railway (Zhongwei in Yinchuan Province to Baoji in Shaanxi Province) connect with all railway lines to every destination. In addition, flights from Yinchuan Hedong Airport take you to all the major cities of China. For more information please Click Here.
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