City Info: Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region

Yinchuan is the capital of Ningxia and was once also the capital of the Western Xia dynasty (1038-1227). Genghis Khan overthrew the Xia in 1227 but remnants of this age can be found at the Western Xia Mausoleum in Helanshan.
The city is located in the central part of the Ningxia Plain, with the Yellow River to its east and the Helan Mountain to its west. This favorable geographic location has kept the city protected from desert storms and has provided plentiful water supplies.

Yinchuan is split into 2 sections commonly referred to as the "old city" and "new city". The old city is where most of the attractions are located. In the center of the old city, is the ancient drum tower that marks the starting point for the main streets. The new city is quite industrialized and is situated some 11km (7 miles) from the old city.

Population
1, 170,000

Cuisine
Mainly Muslim dishes, one of the famous dishes is fish from Yellow river

When to Go
from April to October

Yichuan Hedong Airport
20 km from the new city, shuttle bus is available.

Accommodations

Main Scenic Spots

Excursion from Yinchuan

Official Websites
(only in Chinese Version)
- Ningxia Tour
- Ningxia Info

Museum
- Ningxia Provincial Museum
Focus on Buddhist images, metalwork, textiles, glass, funerary furniture and ceramics from the only stretch of the Silk Road that traversed ancient China.