ETHNIC HANDMADE MUTTON RESTAURANT

Our group of seven had a very enjoyable meal. The lamb neck and fried pork slices are especially recommended. The lamb neck has no smell of mutton at all, and has only the aroma of lamb. The fried pork slices should be beef, which goes well with rice and is also suitable for mixing with noodles. The kids were so happy eating that they forgot to take pictures, so I have to take some pictures of the store to make up for it!

The hand-pulled mutton at this ethnic hand-pulled mutton restaurant in Zhongwei tastes good.

The authentic mutton is really delicious.

🌟Honest Tips on Traveling in Ningxia from September to October! A Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls and Sharing Real Experiences🌟 Just got back from Ningxia, and I couldn't resist sharing some great news! Although September and October are peak tourist season in Ningxia, there are definitely quite a few pitfalls to avoid😭! Combining my own experiences with official recommendations, I've compiled this helpful guide. Save it for those planning a trip! ------ I. Budget Guide (5 Days, 4 Nights) 💰Total cost: approximately 3,000-4,000 RMB per person (including transportation, comfortable travel) • Transportation: Round-trip airfare/high-speed rail (approximately 800-1,500 RMB, depending on departure point) + local chartered car/taxi (approximately 500 RMB) • Accommodation: Budget hotel/B&B (150-250 RMB/night), desert tent camping (approximately 300 RMB/night) • Tickets: Major attraction packages (Western Xia Tombs, Shapotou, Cinema City, etc.) approximately 700-900 RMB • Food: Average daily cost: 100-150 RMB (Ningxia cuisine is generously portioned, so order less and enjoy more!) 💡Money-saving tips: • Buying combined attraction tickets online in advance is more cost-effective than buying them on-site. • Charter a car with a local driver who is familiar with the route and can avoid pitfalls. • Choose a meal-included package for desert camping and save on dinner. ------ II. Popular and Unpopular Attractions + Authentic Experiences ✅ Recommended: 1. Shapotou (Zhongwei): ◦ The desert activities are amazing! Camel riding, sandboarding, and sand surfing are must-dos. ◦ ❗ However, the package ticket is a bit pricey at 285 yuan, so those with less stamina can opt for some of the activities. 2. Western Xia Tombs (Yinchuan): ◦ Newly designated a World Heritage Site! The stunning "Oriental Pyramid" boasts a wealth of fascinating museum information. ◦ A must-buy electric scooter (20 yuan) is essential; the area is so large that walking is exhausting. 3. Zhenbeibao Western Film City (Yinchuan): ◦ The filming location of "A Chinese Odyssey"—taking photos in Zixia's costume is a real treat. ◦ ❗Heavily commercialized, avoid the midday sun. 4. Helan Mountain Rock Paintings (Yinchuan): ◦ Ancient rock paintings and the Han Meilin Art Museum offer a truly artistic experience. ◦ High chance of encountering blue sheep! ❌Choose carefully: • Shahu: Migratory birds are abundant from September to October, but the 120 yuan entrance fee isn't worth the price. It's not as good as Shapotou's dedicated desert experience. • Huaiyuan Night Market: Incredibly crowded! The beef patties and spicy hot pot are delicious, but the lines start at half an hour. • Route 66: Purely a photo spot, long distance, so skip it if you're short on time. ------ III. Route Planning (5-Day Highlights) Day 1: An Introduction to Yinchuan Culture • Morning: Ningxia Museum (free reservation) → Sunset at Lanshan Park • Dinner: Huaiyuan Night Market (spicy hot pot and beef patties) Day 2: Helan Mountain Tour • Morning: Western Xia Tombs (must take the electric cart) → Afternoon: Helan Mountain Rock Paintings • Dinner: Lao Mao Hand-Pulled Lamb (hand-pulled lamb and eight-treasure tea) Day 3: Desert Carnival Day • High-speed rail to Zhongwei → Shapotou Tour Package (camel ride and sandboarding) → Overnight in a desert tent for stargazing Day 4: Off-the-beaten-path Zhongwei Experience • Zhongwei Gaomiao (free) → Jinshahai (less crowded, beautiful sand) → Return to Yinchuan Day 5: Clean up before returning home • Shuidonggou (the soldiers' cave is fun) or Huanshahu (optional) ------ IV. Food Recommendations & Don'ts 🍖 Must-Try List: • Hand-Pulled Lamb: Guoqiang Hand-Pulled Lamb / Laomao Hand-Pulled Lamb (the ribs are the most tender, and the garlic sauce is amazing) • Lamb Offal: Aye Lamb Offal (a great breakfast choice, with a rich spicy broth) • Tangmian Youxiang: Eat with chili rings, a carb-heavy meal that you can't stop eating! • Eight Treasure Tea: A great way to relieve greasy food, buy bags as souvenirs. 🚫 Beware: • Be cautious with popular night market snacks, such as large portions of lamb trotters, which can be greasy. • Food and drinks at desert camps are expensive, so bring your own snacks and hydration. • The Yanchi beach sheep are at their plumpest in September, but don't over-order (the portions are huge!). ------ 💡 Honest Summary 1. Weather: The temperature swing between morning and evening is significant from September to October! Bring a jacket, sunglasses, and SPF50 sunscreen. 2. Transportation: There are many illegal taxis at Yinchuan Airport, so definitely use the meter or Didi. 3. Shopping: Buy goji berries at brand-name stores (Bai Ruiyuan); street vendors are a real bummer. 4. Photography: Wear red or white clothing in the desert, and the best photos are taken two hours before sunset. Ningxia's overall experience is 4 stars! The historical atmosphere and desert adventures are unique, but the prices are high, and some attractions are significantly overpriced. 😢 Make sure you have a good trip by planning well and keeping your expectations low. #Ruge's Journey #CityHumanitiesNotes #NicheDiscovery