3 Days in Ningxia: Western Xia Tombs, Helan Mountain Wine & Shapotou Desert
Tour Overview
In just 3 days, unlock the most breathtaking corners of Northwest China. This private Yinchuan – Zhongwei trip condenses the Western Xia Dynasty’s ‘Eastern Pyramid,’ a 2.5-hour wine tasting experience at Helan Mountain Winery, the Shuidonggou site with a history of 30,000 years, and the spectacular Sand and Yellow River showdown at Shapotou — where the Tengger Desert meets the Yellow River.
For history buffs, photography enthusiasts, and outdoor lovers wanting to experience the essence of Ningxia in the shortest time, this is the perfect trip.
Travel destination: Yinchuan, Zhongwei
Suitable for: History & Culture Explorers, Photography Lovers, Wine Enthusiasts, Families
Tour type: Private
Tour at a Glance
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Day
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Destination
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What to See & Do
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1
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Yinchuan
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Western Xia Imperial Tomb, wooden movable-type printing experience
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2
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Zhongwei
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Shuidonggou site complex, 2.5-hour wine tasting journey
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3
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Zhongwei, Yinchuan
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Exciting desert activities in Shapotou Scenic Area, Route 66
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Highlights of this tour:
Enjoy a 2.5-hour in-depth wine tasting, learn about the history of Ningxia wine, and visit an old winery built with 200,000 Helan Mountain stones.
Try the fun desert activities of sandboarding, camel riding, and desert off-road driving to watch the magical “singing dunes” phenomenon.
Stroll among the desolate but quiet desert mausoleums to unveil the mystery of the millennia-old oriental pyramids.
Explore Shuidonggou, stroll through 30,000-year-old Paleolithic sites and the Ming Dynasty underground military site, and participate in an earthquake simulation experience.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Yinchuan ArrivalVisit Mausoleums and explore the history of the Western Xia dynasty
Welcome to Yinchuan, a famous historical and cultural city in Northwest China!Ā It was once the capital of the Western Xia dynasty (1038-1227).
It's recommended that you arrive before 1 PM.Ā Then,Ā your driver and guide will transfer you toĀ the Western Xia Imperial TombsĀ in about 40 minutes.
Here, backed by the towering Helan Mountains and stretching across vast wildernessĀ with wild grass, there arenāt endless green meadows. Instead, itās a unique grassland landscape where the desert, ancient tombs, and distant mountains merge.
The panoramic view of the Western Xia Imperial Tombs with the Helan Mountains When the wind blows past the thousand-year-old mausoleum towers, it feels both desolate and healing ā every shot you take looks like a scene from a movie.
Inside the Western Xia Mausoleum Museum, you can see an 88-kilogram gilded bronze ox, mysterious and niche Western Xia inscriptions, ancient murals, and more. If youāre really into Chinaās history, you can also check out the one-of-a-kind Western Xia script and replicas of everyday items ā all of which are real traces of this ancient dynastyās history.
The biggest highlight of your visit is Tomb No. 3, which is the mausoleum of Li Yuanhao, the founding emperor of the Western Xia. Itās also the largest and best-preserved core imperial tomb in the entire Western Xia tomb complex.
Experience wooden movable-type printing At the end of the tour, experience wooden movable-type printingĀ - checking, typesetting, inking, and printing.
After that, your guide will escort you to your hotel in Yinchuan (50 mins) for the night.
Free Time Idea:
If you want to experience Yinchuan's nightlife, Huaiyuan Night Market is definitely the undisputed 'hot spot' ā a very popular food street.
- Day 2: Ningxia Shapotou TourExplore the 30,000-year-old Paleolithic Site and enjoy a wine tasting
Set off to visit the Shuidonggou Site Complex. With its unique Yardang landform, Shuidonggou has created more than twenty fantastic landscapes, in addition to the most complete underground soldier city left from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the late Paleolithic sites from 30,000 years ago. You will have a simulated earthquake experience here.
The Shuidonggou site, hailed as the 'birthplace of prehistoric archaeology in China After lunch, go toĀ a local Winery, a vast circular building with the characteristics of ancient Chinese cities and a modern feel, made of nearly 200,000 Helan Mountain stones. Here you will have a 2.5-hour wine-tasting experience, accompanied by a look at the development of several wines.
One of Ningxia's iconic wineries ā Xige Estate After the tour, head to Zhongwei for an overnight stay.
Travel Note:
After mid-April, weāll arrange for you to stay at the tent camp.
- Day 3: Zhongwei - YinchuanExperience various thrilling activities in the desert
After having breakfast at the hotel, go toĀ Shapotou Scenic Area, amidst the stunning Tengger Desert, which is a remarkable destination offering a diverse range of activities for both adults and children.
While enjoying the magnificent desert scenery, you can also have thrilling activities like sandboarding, off-road driving, and camel riding.
Experience camel riding in Shapotou You still have the chance to travel along theĀ Ningxia version of Route 66, which is known as "The Yellow River Route 66". This road winds its way through the undulating red-brown valleys along the upper reaches of the Yellow River, extending all the way to the horizon.
Ningxia Zhongwei Highway 66 Landmark At the end of the journey, your dedicated guide will accompany you to the airport to board the return flight (we recommend booking a flight after 7 p.m.).
Optional Activity:
If you're an adrenaline junkie, you can also try drifting down the Yellow River on a traditional sheepskin raft or take on the thrilling Yellow River zipline.
Warm Tips:
It's recommended that you bring some essential items, such as sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, a scarf (that can also cover your neck), desert boots or climbing shoes, sand-proof shoe covers, and protective cases for your phone and camera to keep sand out, and so on.
Tour Price Per Person
The price varies depending on the activity, number of people, travel date, and selected hotel. Please contact us for a specific price.
Accommodation For This 3-Day Ningxia Tour
For your China private tour, the choice is in your hands: you can selectĀ luxury 5-star hotelsĀ for unparalleled comfort,Ā cozy 4-starĀ accommodations, orĀ value-for-money 3-starĀ options.
All our partner hotels are handpicked forĀ their prime locations, conveniently situated near bustling commercial areas. Every room is equipped withĀ standard amenitiesĀ like air conditioning, hot water, 24-hour showers, reliable Wi-Fi, and windows for natural light.
InĀ some hotels, there are English-speaking staffĀ who are committed to providing attentive service. Should you have any special requests, feel free to ask - they are always ready to assist.
