Situated in the eastern part of the inland northwest, Ningxia is at the Great Bend of the Yellow River (Huanghe). The northern Ningxia is surrounded by Inner Mongolia while the southern part is bounded by Gansu Province and on the east by Shanxi Province. It was once an important stop along the north Silk Road, connecting the central Asia, north desert and inland plains.

The Famous Xixia Tombs & other sites around the capital Yinchuan
Ningxia's main tourist spots is the famous Xixia Tombs site located 30 km west of Yinchuan. The remnants of nine Western Xia emperors' tombs and two hundred other tombs lie within a 50-km² area. Other famous sites in Ningxia include Mount Helan Shan and its frescos and the twin pagodas of Baisikou.

Tengger Desert & Shapotou Scenic Zone
Yellow River winds through Ningxia for about 400 kilometers and becomes the main source of irrigation here. It makes an abrupt turn at Zhongwei county upon entering Ningxia from the west, forming the spectacular Shapotou scenic zone. Tengger Desert from the north is stopped at Shapoutou by the Yellow river, resulting in a huge sand dune. Shapotou now has already become an amusement park in the desert and touristy, where tourists ride ostriches or camels, and slide on the sand. You can also take a goatskin raft. It used to be the major vehicle to take people across the Yellow river 40, 50 years ago in this area. Now the raft is floating upon 14 pieces of goat skin pumped with air.

Water Cave Gully & The Ming Great Wall
Donkey cart ride along the plants in the desert to the gully and the boat ride on the water to view the rammed earth Great Wall are special experience.

Inner Mongolia Desert & Sand Dunes
The journey will cross the border into Inner Mongolia Tengger desert. We will appreciate dramatic desert landscape by climbing aboard a military truck or jeep and drive up and over the shifting sand dunes - an experience of a lifetime! Salty spring-fed lakes stud this corner of the Gobi like colored jewels. Camel ride climbing up and over the steep sand dunes to view the Sun Lake is another great experience. Activities by the lake include swimming in the clear lake, sliding sand and carting.

Highlights

* Climbing aboard a military truck or jeep and drive up and over the shifting sand dunes (45 minutes)
* Camel ride climbing up and over the steep sand dunes to appreciate dramatic desert landscape (1 hour)
* Swim in the clear salty lake in the middle of desert.
* Donkey cart ride in the desert to the Water Cave Gully; walk in the labyrinth like underground tunnel system for Great Wall guarding soldiers; and the boat tour on the river to the packed earth Great Wall are pleasant experiences (if weather permits).

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1: Fly into Yinchuan, capital of Ningxia
Beijing - Yinchuan by air, departure time around 09:00--12:00
Shanghai - Yinchuan by air, depart time around 12:00--15:00
There is only two afternoon flights from Shanghai Pudong to Yinchuan. So Shanghai travellers will not visit this day's Water cave Gully but do it on the 3rd day. Flights to Yinchuan leave only from Pudong airport.
Other locales: we welcome those to join us from other locales and meet us in Yinchuan.

We will first explore the ruins of rammed earth Ming Great Wall at the "Water Cave Gully",  We will explore the labyrinth like underground tunnel system where it was a army base in the Ming dynasty. If weather permits, we will ride donkey cart in the green plant filled desert  and then transfer to the boat ride on the river to the rammed earth Great Wall.
Drive back to the city and check in the hotel and stay overnight.
 
Day 2: Yinchuan / Inner Mongolia Tengger Desert
This morning we visit Ningxia's main heritage sites. we first head to Mountain Helan Shan for the twin pagodas of Baisikou and nearby ancient carved pictures on the cliff of Helan Mountain. After lunch, we visit the famous Xixia Tombs site (nicknamed Oriental Pyramid) located 30 km west of Yinchuan. The remnants of nine Western Xia emperors' tombs and two hundred other tombs lie within a 50-km² area.

Then we will depart Yinchuan for our real desert experience in innner Mongolia. we will drive along a single narrow road in the desert across Mount. Helan and the border into Inner Mongolia's Tengger Desert. As we go into the center of the  desert and the road disappears, we will transfer to a military truck or jeep to drive up and over the shifting sand dunes and dramatic desert landscape - an experience of a lifetime!  Finally we will arrive the salty spring-fed lakes in the middle of the desert, and check into the two-story villa style hotel in the resort at one corner of the lake. 

Please note that  you will board in the military truck or jeep driving up and over the shifting sand dunes for 40 minutes.  It is challenging and exhilarating; you need strong arms to hold on, and it is not for the faint-hearted.  Also, it is not recommended for people with any medical or physical impediment.  The hotel is isolated and we do not return to civilization and medical facilities until the next day.  However, if you are fit and adventurous, gather your courage and prepare for an experience of a lifetime.

Day 3: Inner Mongolia Tengger Desert / Yinchuan / Fly out
We will spend another half day in the desert. We will ride camel (or jeep if you prefer) climbing up and over the steep sand dunes to view the Sun Lake. Activities by the lake include swimming in the clear lake, sliding sand and carting. After lunch and rest, we drive back (again in the jeep or military truck for part of the journey) to Yinchuan.

Beijing travellers fly out. Yinchuan - Beijing: arrival around 20:00-22:00.
Shanghai travellers go to see Water Cave Gully, and return to Yinchuan and stay another night in Yinchuan and fly out next morning.  (There is only one morning flight from Yinchuan to Shanghai: arrival around 11:00-14:00.

Or click to view more options of private custom made itineraries.