Ningxia between desert, water and culture

At Shahu, 22.52 square kilometres of desert lie directly beside 45 square kilometres of water. The site brings two very different landscape features together. Shahu also provides a habitat for more than 200 bird species and over 1.5 million birds; numbers may vary seasonally. This makes it possible to plan a trip to Ningxia around different interests: landscapes, activities and cultural history each offer their own themes for a stay.

Desert, water and activities at Shahu

A 2023 tourism showcase lists cycling along the Rainbow Trail, camel rides to the dunes, sandboarding, off-road drives through the desert and drift boat rides at Shahu. Individual activities may change. If you are planning a particular activity, check in advance what is currently on offer.

The Liupan Mountain National Forest Park in southern Ningxia offers a different perspective on the landscape. It extends across Jingyuan, Longde and Yuanzhou and covers 67,800 hectares. Its spread across three administrative areas gives the park a regional scale; it is a distinct nature-focused destination alongside Shahu’s desert and water landscapes.

Xixia Imperial Tombs: architecture and history

The Xixia Imperial Tombs comprise nine imperial mausoleums, 271 subordinate tombs, a northern architectural complex and 32 flood-control structures. UNESCO describes them as a reflection of a multicultural civilisation on the Silk Road, designed according to Chinese imperial traditions and placing Buddhism at its centre. The numbers and structures convey the scale of the tomb complex; this cultural interpretation complements the architectural perspective by highlighting its connection between different traditions.

Museums: the Silk Road and regional history

The Sumeru Museum is China’s first specialist museum dedicated to the Silk Road and Buddhist cave art. The Ningxia Museum focuses on historical, Hui Chinese and modern artefacts from Ningxia: it collects, researches, preserves, displays and interprets them. Its main permanent exhibitions include displays on Ningxia’s historical relics, Xixia art objects, Hui Chinese folk culture, the rock art of the Helan Mountains and revolutionary relics. As exhibition programmes may change, it is advisable to check the current exhibitions before visiting. The two museums have different thematic focuses: the Sumeru Museum brings together the Silk Road and Buddhist cave art; the Ningxia Museum connects artefacts from regional history with Hui Chinese and modern collections. For your choice, this means that one focuses on a clearly defined cultural field, while the other explores several facets of Ningxia.

Wine culture and trip planning

Hedong Manor includes a grape-growing area, a cultural wine cellar and an exhibition garden with old vines. If you are planning a visit, check the current status of the site in advance, as it may undergo renovations over time.

Discover more destinations: Yinchuan, Shizuishan, Wuzhong, Zhongwei, Guyuan, Hebei, Inner Mongolia, Sichuan.

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