Things to do in Wuhai

I think it's worth a visit for those who like deserts. I've lived in Wuhai for several years but never officially visited. But this trip was quite breathtaking. It's probably even more beautiful in summer. Overall, the experience was alright.

These attractions embody the extraordinary qualities of this small city, Wuhai. Whether it's the natural wonder of Wuhai Lake, the Danxia landforms that tell the story of Wuhai's vicissitudes, or the giant statue of Genghis Khan, a reflection of Tibetan Buddhist temples and the glorious history of the Mongols, they are all musical symphonies of life composed by humanity and nature. They are definitely worth a deeper exploration.

The Jinshawan Ecological Tourism Area is 14 kilometers north of Haibowan District, the seat of Wuhai Municipal Government. It is bordered by the Yellow River in the west, the Zhuizi Mountains in the east, the grassland in the north, and the urban area of ​​Wuhai in the south. The area has continuous sand dunes and rare vegetation, resembling the desert of the Bay. It is called "Jinshawan" because of its golden sand. The scenic area covers an area of ​​2,000 hectares, closely connected to National Highway 110 and Beijing-Tibet Expressway, and is only one road away from Wuhai Airport.

La Seng Temple (Manbala Seng Temple) is located in Hainan District, Wuhai City. It is a national AAA-level scenic spot and provincial cultural relic, adjacent to Tuhaishan Tourist Area. Manbala Seng Temple is a Tibetan language, meaning "Medical Prescription and Sutra Institute". It is a hall dedicated to the study of Tibetan and Mongolian medicine and religion. In its heyday, there were more than 600 monks and lamas living in the temple. It was the earliest religious medical holy place in western Inner Mongolia at that time. It was first built in the 21st year of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty (1682) and destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. It was rebuilt in 2007. According to legend, when Emperor Kangxi went west for a private visit, he stayed in La Seng Temple for several days. The architectural style of La Seng Temple not only integrates the artistic styles of Tibetan, Mongolian and Han nationalities, but also reflects the taste of local culture and art, making visitors feel like they are in heaven. There are several dragon columns in the main hall of the temple to support the beams, and the giant columns are painted with dragons flying in the mist. There are five statues of gods on the front of the main hall, and Sakyamuni sits in the middle. In front of the statue, there is an offering table and an incense burner, with smoke lingering and the Buddha lamp always on. The two walls of the lobby are painted with many scenes from Buddhist stories, which are colorful and lifelike. Especially the paintings and murals of Sakyamuni preaching to his disciples and the gods around him listening quietly, the images are lifelike and amazing. Strategy: Seasonal cost: June-early October. Free. Transportation and accommodation: More than 30 kilometers away from the center of Wuhai City, with excellent roads. The desolate area around the scenic spot is basically driven by car. Scenery: The whole tour takes about 40 minutes. The temple is located halfway up Tuhai Mountain. The parking lot is next to the gate of the scenic spot and can be walked in. The mountains in the north are more majestic and vicissitudes, with no vegetation, no water, and strong winds. You can bring some thick clothes. Many buildings basically reflect the original style, but even after the National Day, the halls are basically closed, perhaps because of the epidemic. Only the side door of the main hall is open. Unlike the temples in the Central Plains and the South, the five- or six-story-high Buddha statue in the main hall is basically the same height as the building, but there is no lobby, so you can only look up at your feet. There are stairs around, but no access is allowed. Equipment: hiking shoes, jacket.

On my way to Wulansuhai Lake from Yinchuan, I saw a giant statue on a hillside. Intrigued, I researched it and drove up to see it on my way back to Yinchuan. This scenic spot is likely privately funded and not far from downtown Wuhai. The entrance fee and cable car were quite expensive, so I skipped it. I just took a few photos and left.

Ticket for the cable car to the summit and return plus entry to the museum inside the statue cost 160 today. The cable car is quite good quality and felt safe. The statue is much larger than you expect when you arrive at the top. Once you’re at the top of the cable car there are still a lot of steps to climb so not suitable for people with mobility issues. Inside the statue it’s not a museum but a sort of “experience” with fun places to take photos.

I checked in at this treasure winery with my friends on the weekend. The interior decoration is elegant and very stylish. You can see Mount Gander in the distance through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The staff is super professional and enthusiastic! Before the wine tasting, they will carefully introduce the origin, brewing process and taste characteristics of each wine, and patiently answer Xiaobai's questions throughout the process. You can also visit the wine cellar and vineyard for free. It's so beautiful to check in and take pictures🤩

It's definitely worth going, but what if I can't find the photos?

The exhibits are rich and colorful, especially the Mongolian ethnic customs.