4 Days Ningxia Exploration to Sand Lake, Western Xia Mausoleum and Yellow River Grand Canyon

Welcome to Ningxia! Upon arrival in Ningxia, we will meet you at the airport with a welcome board, and then you will be transferred to the hotel. Your guide will assist you with hotel check-in. The rest of the day is for you to relax, and if you are interested in exploring the surrounding areas, please ask the tour guide.

After breakfast, we will spend about 3 hours at Sand Lake, which is known as the "Pearl on the Barrier" and is one of the first 5A-level scenic spots in China. Here, we can take a boat tour around the lake. Reeds scatter the lake, and rare birds soar high in the sky. It's a delightful place to be.

Then, we will immerse ourselves in China Film Studio for about 3 hours where Director Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige filmed famous films such as "Red Sorghum" and "Journey to the West". Come here and experience being a movie star! Additionally, dozens of extinct and folk Intangible cultural heritage, such as weaving, cockfighting, monkey playing and mouse training, can be viewed here for free. 

Being a movie star may be a little tiring, so let's go to Huaiyuan Night Market to taste local delicious food and relax. This market is the earliest and most influential internet celebrity night market in Yinchuan. Even CCTV-2 once recommended people walk here to try traditional and unique Ningxia cuisine. 

Must-try food: Palace crispy beef patty, Huaiyuan Yipin Spicy Strips, Zhang Tiemen Roasted Eggs, Milk mash, Plum sweet potato, Stewed Sheep Feet...

After breakfast, we will drive for about 1 hour to explore the Western Xia Mausoleum National Archaeological Park for 2 hours. It is home to one of the largest and most complete imperial tombs in China. You can take a battery car to the Western Xia Museum to learn more about its history and watch a 3D film called "Western Xia Love" if you'd like.

Following that, we will continue our trip to admire the Qingtongxia Yellow River Grand Canyon. You can explore the area by cruise ships. The canyon is also home to a group of 108 towers arranged in an orderly and highly regular manner, which are Buddhist memorial buildings. It is stipulated to have 108 beads, recite the Buddha 108 times, ring the morning bell 108 times, and build 108 towers, symbolizing the elimination of troubles.

Finally, we'll drive about 2 hours to Zhongwei for our overnight stay.

Today we will have fun in Shapotou! It is located at the junction of the Tengger Desert and the Yellow River. The second season of the live show "Where is Dad?" was recorded here, making it famous throughout China. This place combines the vast desert, the turbulent Yellow River, towering mountains, and lush oases, showcasing the beautiful scenery of the Northern Kingdom.

Before the scorching sun comes, we will ride camels, go surfing in the desert, or participate in other exciting desert activities in the morning. Under the sunlight, every grain of sand seems to be coated with a layer of gold, looking magnificent, both beautiful and mysterious. But we can’t stay here for too long for your safety's sake.

Our trip to Ningxia will end here; it's time to say goodbye to Ningxia. We will transfer you to the airport to catch your flight back home. Have a pleasant journey home!

Reminder: please book the flight after 18:00.