Tucked away between the Yellow River and the Helan Mountains, Ningxia is one of China’s most underrated yet unforgettable destinations. Often overshadowed by big names like Beijing or Xi’an, this small autonomous region in northwest China offers a captivating blend of ancient history, desert adventure, and serene natural beauty.
Whether you’re chasing sunsets over Yuehai Lake, tracing the footsteps of Silk Road dynasties, or simply craving a slower, more soulful side of China, Ningxia welcomes you with open arms and endless horizons. Let’s journey through eight breathtaking places that reveal the soul of this desert jewel.
1. Lanshan Park — The Sunset Sanctuary Over Yinchuan
Perched beside the serene Yuehai Lake, Lanshan Park has become a social media sensation for its cinematic sunsets. The park’s centerpiece resembles an ancient Roman amphitheater, complete with grand arches and tiered stone seating that gently slopes toward a lush, emerald-green field.
As twilight descends, the soft orange glow of dusk brushes against the European-style architecture, painting the sky with a romantic warmth. Locals gather to capture the perfect sunset shot, children chase bubbles across the plaza, and travelers sit back on the steps, soaking in the golden light shimmering over the water—a moment that feels like time standing still.
2. Zhenbeibao Western Film Studio — Where Chinese Cinema Comes Alive
If you’re a film buff or simply curious about China’s movie heritage, Zhenbeibao Western Film Studio is a must-see. This sprawling set has been the backdrop for iconic Chinese films such as A Chinese Odyssey, Red Sorghum, and Ashes of Time.
Walking through its weathered city walls and ancient courtyards feels like stepping into the scenes of these legendary movies. The studio’s rugged beauty—its crumbling ramparts and sunbaked earth—captures the cinematic soul of northwestern China, where every corner whispers stories from the silver screen.
3. Helan Mountain Rock Art — Messages from 5,000 Years Ago
Deep within the Helan Mountains, ancient rock carvings tell tales from long before recorded history. These Neolithic petroglyphs, etched 3,500 to 5,000 years ago, depict animals, celestial symbols, and shamanic figures—primitive yet powerful expressions of early nomadic life in China.
Known as the “Art Gallery of China’s Nomads,” this UNESCO-listed site is a time capsule of human imagination. The “Sun God” carving is one of its most mysterious treasures. If you’re lucky, you might spot the mountain’s quiet guardian—the nimble blue sheep—among the cliffs.
4. Western Xia Imperial Tombs — The Pyramids of the East
The Western Xia Imperial Tombs recently joined UNESCO’s World Heritage List, marking China’s 60th inscription. Often called the “Oriental Pyramids,” these monumental burial sites were built for the emperors of the Western Xia dynasty (1038–1227).
Spread across the desert foothills, the nine imperial mausoleums and over 270 satellite tombs reveal the power and mystery of this vanished kingdom. Standing among the weathered ruins—sand swirling around eroded towers—you can almost hear echoes of an empire long forgotten, whispering its stories into the desert wind.
5. Shuidonggou Site — Echoes from the Stone Age
Travel back 40,000 years at Shuidonggou, one of China’s earliest prehistoric sites. Here, travelers can marvel at Yadan landforms, explore cliffside fortresses, and walk through ancient defense tunnels that once guarded the frontier.
It’s a rare place where geology, archaeology, and human history intertwine. Imagine life when early humans roamed this land, hunting and carving tools, while millennia later, Ming dynasty soldiers fortified the region as part of China’s Great Wall defense. Every layer of soil holds a story.
6. Sand Lake — Where Desert Meets Water
One of China’s most mesmerizing natural wonders, Sand Lake (Shahu) is where golden dunes meet sapphire waters in a surreal dance of contrasts. Here, soft waves lap against sweeping desert ridges, creating a scene so beautiful it feels otherworldly.
Visitors can drift across the lake in a boat, spotting migratory birds gliding overhead, or ride camels through the dunes as the setting sun turns the sands into glowing rivers of light. When night falls, the stars reflect across the water and sand, merging heaven and earth into a single dreamlike panorama.
For anyone seeking a desert adventure in China, Sand Lake offers both serenity and spectacle—nature’s poetry written in gold and blue.
7. Shapotou — The Desert Playground of the Yellow River
Nicknamed “China’s Desert Disneyland,” Shapotou is where adrenaline meets awe. The vast dunes and rolling sand waves frame the mighty Yellow River, creating a stunning S-shaped landscape that photographers adore.
Here you can float on a sheepskin raft, zip-line over the Yellow River, surf down dunes, or ride a camel into the sunset. From the Wang Wei Viewing Platform, you’ll see the perfect contrast of desert, river, mountains, and oasis—a microcosm of Ningxia’s wild beauty.
8. Route 66 of Zhongwei — The Road that Vanishes into Time
Tucked along the Yellow River in Zhongwei, Ningxia’s own Route 66 winds through undulating valleys and rugged desert terrain. This scenic road stretches endlessly into the horizon, evoking the freedom of classic American road trips—yet with a distinctly Chinese character.
Because of the construction of the Heishuixia Hydropower Station, this stunning route may soon disappear beneath the water’s edge. For now, it remains a symbol of freedom and impermanence—a place where the spirit of adventure runs as wild as the open road itself.
From prehistoric art and imperial tombs to golden deserts and tranquil lakes, Ningxia is a destination that bridges ancient China and the untamed frontier. It’s ideal for travelers seeking authentic China tours, off-the-beaten-path experiences, and things to do in Northwest China that go beyond the usual routes. If your wanderlust craves both mystery and majesty—Ningxia belongs on your travel map.
Longqing Gorge combines the charm of the southern landscape with the majesty of the northern landscape in China. The canyons are tortuous, the river is green, the cliffs on both sides are steep, and the caves, stalagmites and stone pillars are densely covered. It is known as the “Little Li River” of Beijing. In spring and summer, people come here to play and go out; in winter, there is a sea of ice lanterns.
Longqing Gorge not only has beautiful natural scenery, but also has matching amusement facilities. You can take the elevator directly to the cruise ship dock near Baihua Cave. There is also a thrilling wing slide in the scenic area, which can slide from the mouth of Baihua Cave to Cuidao in the center of the lake at high speed. In the vicinity of Baihua Cave, you can take the ropeway directly to the Shenxianyuan in the middle of the mountain. In addition, there are rock climbing grounds, ice climbing bases, bungee jumping, and other thrilling projects in the scenic area. Extreme sports enthusiasts can also find your own happiness here.
Volga Manor is located on the original ecological Ashe River in the outskirts of Harbin. It covers an area of more than 600,000 square meters. It is a tourist attraction based on the history of Harbin and the theme of Russian culture. It is a manor which is fully enriched with exotic customs. The manor integrates the functions of sightseeing, leisure and vacation, outdoor sports, exhibitions, research trips, wedding celebrations, etc. It can accommodate thousands of people for dining and hundreds of people for accommodation at the same time.
In winter, the main goal of the manor is to advocate the destination of Russian-style ice and snow artistic life experience. It integrates Russian-style ice and snow and activities such as castle skiing and castle snow circle into the scenic area, presenting not only the beauty of architecture, but also the real Russian art life.
Xishuangbanna Tropical Flowers and Plants Garden is located in the Tropical Crop Science Institute of Yunnan Province in Jinghong City, the capital of Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Yunnan. It covers an area of 80 hectares and is one of the main attractions in Xishuangbanna Scenic Area. It was rated as an AAA-level scenic spot by the National Tourism Administration in 2001 and is now an AAAA-level scenic spot. The garden is divided into Baicao Garden, Palm Plant Area, Sparse Tree Lawn Area, Fruit Tree Area and Economic Crops Area, etc. There are nearly 1,000 varieties of various flowers and economic plants in the garden. Xishuangbanna Tropical Flowers and Plants Garden displays the connotation of popular science through tropical flowers and tropical plant landscapes. It is a theme park integrating scientific research, popular science, patriotism education, tourism, leisure, and vacation.
The ticket for Xishuangbanna Tropical Flowers and Plants Garden is 40 yuan, and you can enjoy pure natural plants and flowers, breathe in the fresh air, appreciate the beautiful tropical scenery and style, and let people experience the harmony between man and nature.
The Tientsin Eye’s full name is the Yongle Bridge Tientsin Eye, which connects Hebei District and Hongqiao District across the Haihe River. It is a Ferris wheel for cross-river construction and bridge-wheel integration. It has both sightseeing and transportation functions. The Tientsin Eye is a rare ferris wheel from where you can overlook the scenery on the bridge and it is one of Tianjin’s landmarks. Every night when the lights are on, the colorful lights of the Tientsin Eye are soft and beautiful.
The Yongle Bridge Tientsin Eye is magnificent and majestic from a distance during the day. At night, when the neon lights up, it becomes a beautiful scenery on the Haihe River, attracting visitors coming here. There are generally two ways to play the Tianjin Eye, ride or take photos from a distance. The ride on the Ferris wheel is 70 yuan per person. If you want to enjoy it alone, you can also spend 400 yuan to pack a cabin. The Tientsin Eye cabin is air-conditioned, so you can slowly and comfortably watch the surrounding scenery, especially after dark at night, it is shocking.
Qing Dao Trestle Bridge is one of the scenic spots of Qingdao Coastal Scenic Area. It is the first batch of national-level scenic spots announced by the State Council in 1982 and the first batch of national AAAA-level tourist attractions.
There are chain guardrails and lotus street lights on both sides of Trestle Bridge. Visitors can stroll along the waterfront of Trestle Bridge. When the wind is calm, you can watch seagulls soar freely here. At the end of the bridge, you can also overlook the small Qingdao. On the island, the shadows of trees and greenery are clustered, and a white lighthouse stands tall and majestic. When the tide is high, the turbulent waves hit the breakwater, causing clusters of waves, so you can stop and watch. When the tide is low, the ochre-colored reefs and golden beaches are exposed to the surface. You can walk down the Trestle Bridge and stroll along the beach to catch the sea and collect shellfish.
Confucius Temple Qinhuai Scenic Area refers to the area along the Qinhuai River with the Confucius Temple as the center, including streets and lanes on both sides of the bank, residential buildings, nearby historic sites, and scenic spots.
If you want to go boating in the Confucius Temple Qinhuai Scenic Area, you can board the boat at the pier opposite to the Confucius Temple. There are scenic spots explanation on the boat, and you can admire the scenery and learn about historical stories at the same time.
Qinghai-tibet Plateau Wildlife Park is a zoo with beautiful scenery and it is located in Xishan of Xining. There are more than 200 animals in captivity in the park. Although the number is not much when compared with zoos in other cities, there are snow leopards, Procapra przewalskii, desert cats, wild yaks and other unique animals of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which are rare in other cities. Whether in the grasslands, lakes, or at the foot of snow-capped mountains, there are Tibetan wild donkeys everywhere. It takes about 3-4 hours to watch them all.
Because Xining does not produce altitude sickness, Qinghai-tibet Plateau Wildlife Park has become a place where most people can get more intimate understanding and contact with plateau creatures. In addition to ordinary small animals, the most famous and most anticipated animals here are the various plateau-specific animals. Tickets to the Qinghai-tibet Plateau Wildlife Park are not expensive. If you have enough time, it is suggested that you take a visit here.