https://nz.trip.com/moments/detail/yinchuan-239-130859632?locale=en-NZ
CASSANDRA CURTISUnited States

Ningxia Yinchuan | April-May Off-season is Perfect with Fewer Tourists and Beautiful Scenery

Dear friends🥰, Yinchuan in April-May is the ultimate travel destination! No summer holiday crowds, the desert sand isn't scorching hot, the Yellow River is crystal clear, and best of all - discounted tickets and hotels! Follow this guide to unlock the springtime romance of "Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall"~ 🌟Why visit Yinchuan in April-May? ❶ Fewer crowds, better views: Avoid peak season, have the desert to yourself for photos, no queues at attractions! ❷ Perfect weather: 10-25°C, neither hot nor cold, perfect for camel rides and sand sliding~ ❸ Half the cost: Hotels average CNY 200+, early bird ticket discounts available🎟️ ❹ Exclusive scenery: Helan Mountain still snow-capped + desert oasis emerging, half desolate, half vibrant! 🏜️Must-visit Attractions 1⃣️ Western Xia Imperial Tombs (History buffs must visit!) 📍Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📌Highlights: China's "Pyramid Complex"! 9 imperial tombs + 200+ subordinate tombs, wildflowers dotting the rammed earth tombs in April, stunning drone shots! ⚠️Note: The correct name is "Western Xia Imperial Tombs," not "Western Xia Royal Tombs" ⏰Opening hours: 8:30-18:00 🎫Ticket: CNY 85 (includes sightseeing car) ✨Activities: ● Rent Hanfu for desert photoshoots, perfect with sunset🌇 ● Visit Western Xia Museum, see mysterious Tangut script📜 ● Catch the "Helan Snow in Clear Sky" view at dusk - snow mountains + tombs in one frame! 2⃣️ Zhenbeipu Western Film Studio (Movie fans' paradise!) 📍Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📌Highlights: Filming location of "A Chinese Odyssey"! Off-season rental of Zixia Fairy costume only CNY 50/hour in April, freely photograph city walls and Spider Cave📸 ⏰Opening hours: 8:00-18:00 🎫Ticket: CNY 80 ✨Tips: ● Tour Ming City + Qing City + Old Yinchuan Street in one route, avoid backtracking🚶 ● Bring your own food! Scenic area food is expensive and not tasty🍔 ● Visit the "Love You Ten Thousand Years" quote wall, couples must photograph❤️ 3⃣️ Shapotou Scenic Area (Desert fun guide!) 📍Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📌Highlights: 5A scenic area where desert meets Yellow River! One-stop experience for camel riding, sand sliding, and sheepskin raft drifting🐫 ⏰Opening hours: 8:00-18:00 🎫Ticket: CNY 80 (activities charged separately) 💥Must-try: ● Ride sheepskin rafts in Yellow River area listening to folk songs, boatmen sing "Ningxia Plain"~ ● Desert area sand surfing + sliding combo ticket CNY 150, thrilling! ● Recommend staying at desert stargazing hotel during off-season, perfect for night sky viewing🌌 4⃣️ Helan Mountain Rock Carvings (Art lovers' delight!) 📍Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 📌Highlights: Ancient humans' "social media"! Mysterious sun god carvings and hunting scenes, beautiful wild apricot blossoms at mountain foot in May🌸 ⏰Opening hours: 8:30-17:30 🎫Ticket: CNY 70 📸Photo spots: ● Panoramic view of Helan Mountain from Rock Art Museum rooftop🏔️ ● Spot wild sheep! They often jump around the cliffs~ 5⃣️ Shuidongou Site (Travel back 30,000 years!) 📍Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📌Highlights: China's earliest Paleolithic site! Soldier caves look like scenes from Grave Robbers' Chronicles, ride mule carts and camels🐪 ⏰Opening hours: 8:00-18:00 🎫Ticket: CNY 60 (includes transportation) ✨Hidden activities: ● Experience fire-making and stone tool crafting, perfect for family trips👨👩👧 ● Stand across Ningxia and Inner Mongolia border at Ming Great Wall, cool location tag for social media! 🗺️4 Days 3 Nights Perfect Itinerary Day 1: First encounter with "Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall" Morning: Photo shoot at Western Xia Tombs → Noon: Huaiyuan Night Market for La Hugu + beef pancakes🌮 → Afternoon: Ningxia Museum for Silk Road exhibits → Evening: Sunset at Lanshan Park🌄 Day 2: Movies + Rock Art double feature Morning: Cosplay as Zixia Fairy at Zhenbeipu → Noon: Eat Haozi noodles outside film studio → Afternoon: Treasure hunt at Helan Mountain Rock Carvings → Evening: BBQ at Zhongwei Xiangyang Street🍢 Day 3: Full day desert fun All day: Camel riding + Yellow River rafting at Shapotou → Evening: Camping under stars in Tengger Desert⛺ Day 4: Historical finale Morning: Explore soldier caves at Shuidongou → Noon: Hand-pulled lamb in Wuzhong → Afternoon: Buy goji berries + Eight Treasures Tea before departure🌰 🍖Must-try Food ❶ Hand-pulled lamb: No gamey taste! Delicious with garlic vinegar sauce🤤 ❷ La Hugu: Must-try at Huaiyuan Night Market! CNY 1 per skewer, satisfyingly spicy🌶️ ❸ Eight Treasures Tea: Red dates + goji berries + longan, perfect for health-conscious girls🍵 ❹ Haozi noodles: Zhongwei intangible cultural heritage, chewy noodles in fresh soup~ ❺ Yellow River carp: Fresh catch at Shapotou Scenic Area, tender meat! 🏨Accommodation Guide 🏜️ Desert experience: Star Hotel (choose sand view room if budget allows) 🏙️ City convenience: Stay near Jinfen Wanda, everything within reach 🏡 Boutique homestay: Yellow River Inn (Moroccan style, perfect for photos) 🚗Transportation Tips ✈️Getting there: Fly to Yinchuan Hedong Airport, CNY 20 airport bus to city 🚗Charter: Desert attractions are scattered, more economical for 4+ people (about CNY 500/day) 🚕City transport: CNY 7 starting fare for taxis, shared e-bikes everywhere🛵 💡Off-season Travel Tips ❶ Wear red/white long dresses! Perfect for desert photos👗 ❷ Big temperature difference between morning and evening, layer thin down jacket + short sleeve🧥 ❸ Protect phones from sand with waterproof bags📱 ❹ Respect Hui customs, no shorts in mosques❌
View Original Text
*Created by local travelers and translated by AI.
Posted: Apr 6, 2025
Submit
0
Mentioned in This Moment
Attraction

Helan Mountain Rock Painting

4.5/54318 reviews | Historic buildings
Helan
No.3 of Best Things to Do in Yinchuan
Immediate access | Book now for today
NZD 16.88
View
Show More
Related Moments
Helan Mountain Rock Painting

Wuzhong-Zhongwei-Yinchuan 5-Day Family Tour: Complete Guide to Popular Scenery

GlobetrottingSoul_123
The Western Xia Mausoleum

Yinchuan-Alashan-Zhongwei|A 5-day tour without detours during the short holiday

Paisley345_Ward
Haibao Pagoda

6-Day Travel Guide to Yinchuan-Shizuishan-Zhongwei

RajasthaniRhythms
The Western Xia Mausoleum

5-Day Tour of Wuzhong-Zhongwei-Yinchuan: A Trip That Will Make Your Friends Jealous

Grace Turner.24
Shapotou Scenic Area

10-Day Tour of Zhongwei and Other Destinations: A Must-Read Guide for Your Short Holiday

PhoenixGlowstone88
Helan Mountain Rock Painting

5-Day Tour of Yinchuan-Alashan-Zhongwei: A Detailed Itinerary You Must Save

SolarZen5555555
The Western Xia Mausoleum

Short Holiday Getaway to Yinchuan and More: Your Ultimate Guide

Daniel@123 Perry
Zhenbeipu Western Studios

The Desolate Legend of Zhenbeipu in the Northwest

henryfirefly
Helan Mountain Rock Painting

Yinchuan: Don't miss out…you might regret it!

AWC3663
Helan Mountain Rock Painting

5-Day Tour of Alxa-Zhongwei-Yinchuan: A Comprehensive Guide

LassiVirtanen
Helan Mountain Rock Painting

A Tomb-Sweeping Holiday Trip to Alxa and Yinchuan: A Comprehensive Guide

surelybowler19
Gaomiao Temple of Zhongwei

8-day tour of Zhongwei and other places Super detailed guide to take you to play in Northwest China

aurora_morningstar_87