Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region · Northwest

Central and Southern Ningxia travel guide

宁夏中南部

Central and Southern Ningxia travel guide with a day by day itinerary, 6 places with tickets and opening hours, where to eat and stay, and how to get there.

6 places · In the guidebook: pages 801–807

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Central and Southern Ningxia — illustration

Central and Southern Ningxia, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region · AI illustration for China Trip

Quick itinerary

Central and Southern Ningxia in 4 days

  1. Day 1
    1. Yinchuan→
    2. Qingtongxia→
    3. Zhongwei (visit Gaomiao Temple, overnight)
  2. Day 2
    1. Zhongwei→
    2. Shapotou→
    3. Zhongwei (overnight)
  3. Day 3
    1. Zhongwei→
    2. Guyuan→
    3. Xumishan Grottoes→
    4. Guyuan (overnight)
  4. Day 4
    1. Guyuan→
    2. Huoshizhai Village→
    3. Guyuan→
    4. Liupan Mountain
All 6 places in Central and Southern Ningxia

Things to see

Floating down the Yellow River on a traditional sheepskin raft is an experience you must not miss. Amid the rolling waters, a small raft drifts downstream, thrilling and a little hair-raising. Steep peaks and deep gorges line the banks, and as you travel downstream you pass ancient wharves, pottery-making sites, Yellow River water wheels, warlord-era villas and the picturesque countryside known as the “Southern Jiangnan of the Frontier”. The scenery changes with every bend, and there is so much to see.

shapotou-scenic-area — illustration

Shapotou Scenic Area

Peak season ¥80; off season ¥50

One of Ningxia's most famous scenic areas, where the Yellow River and the Tengger Desert come together to create this stunning landscape. Shapotou Scenic Area is known above all for its desert adventures and Yellow River rafting. Sand sliding, camel riding and crossing the river on a hutuo (sheepskin raft) are all must-do activities. The area has two sections. One is Shapotou itself, famous for sand sliding, zip-lining across the Yellow River and sheepskin raft rides; climb the sand dune for a view of the Yellow River, desert and green oases all side by side. The other is the Tengger Desert Botanical Garden, where riding a camel or trekking across the dunes is most thrilling. In 2013, Shapotou was the filming location for the second episode of 'Dad, Where Are We Going?'.

Zhongwei Gaomiao Temple

Zhongwei Gaomiao Temple is renowned alongside the 'Desert Wonders'. It was once a religious site where Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism were united. Over the years, its distinctive ancient architecture and its wide-ranging religious traditions have drawn visitors from every direction, and incense has never stopped burning inside the temple.

1–2 hours · Free

Xumishan Grottoes

On the southern slopes of Mount Xumi lie more than 100 grottoes in total; these are the Xumishan Grottoes. 'Xumi' means 'Precious Mountain'. They were carved during the Northern Wei dynasty, more than 1,400 years ago. The landscape is dramatic, with jagged rocks and layered peaks, and it is very beautiful. The grottoes are grand in scale and majestic in their statues, making them one of China's Ten Great Grottoes. They are also among the most famous Buddhist grottoes along the ancient Silk Road, and are known as the 'Dunhuang of Ningxia'.

3–4 hours · ¥48

Tengger Golden Sand Island

A hidden paradise tucked away in the Tengger Desert, combining desert, wetlands, lakes and the Great Wall. Green amid the sand, water amid the green; islands in the lake, lakes on the islands. At sunset the sky turns orange. Sunbathing, fishing and playing beach volleyball in this beautiful setting will melt away all your fatigue.

2–3 hours · ¥45

Liupan Mountain National Forest Park

Liupan Mountain is an oasis on the Loess Plateau, stretching over 1,000 km from north to south and more than 10 km from east to west. Scenic spots including Laolongtan (Old Dragon Pool), the source of the Jing River, Lotus Garden, Liangdian Gorge and the Red Army Long March Memorial Pavilion are spread across the Liupan range. Mao Zedong's 'Qingpingle: Liupan Mountain' was written as he crossed the mountains during the Long March, and its heroic spirit still resonates today.

3–4 hours · ¥85; Wild Lotus Valley (Yehe Valley) entry is ¥40

Yellow River Grand Canyon Scenic Area

Located at the last gorge on the upper reaches of the Yellow River in central Ningxia, the scenic area is home to the 108 Pagodas, a large pagoda group that is rare in Chinese architecture and serves as a Buddhist memorial. On calm, sunny days, the reflections of the 108 pagodas on the water are elegant and dazzling, a sight that leaves visitors in awe.

0.5–1 day · Entry ¥40; Canyon Cruise combo ¥185; Ancient Pagoda Exploration combo ¥115

Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), pp. 801–807. Translated from the Chinese edition; names and prices follow the guidebook. · Plain text version