Yinchuan

The Helan Mountains, stretching across the border of Ningxia and Inner Mongolia in northern China, are renowned for their stunning rock art, a testament to the region’s rich cultural heritage. Dating back thousands of years, these ancient carvings and paintings offer a glimpse into the lives, beliefs, and artistic expressions of prehistoric and historic communities. Covering over 500 sites with thousands of individual images, the Helan Mountains rock art is a UNESCO World Heritage candidate and a vital resource for understanding early human civilization in Asia.

The Western Xia Mausoleum, nestled in the arid foothills of the Helan Mountains near Yinchuan, China, stands as the final resting place of the Tangut rulers who founded the Western Xia Dynasty (1038–1227). Covering 53 square kilometers, this UNESCO World Heritage Site comprises nine imperial tombs and 254 smaller burial mounds, blending Tangut, Han Chinese, and Tibetan architectural influences. Once a thriving empire along the Silk Road, the Western Xia’s legacy was nearly erased by Genghis Khan’s Mongol conquests, leaving the mausoleum as a rare tangible link to its vanished civilization.

A legendary film studio where desert sands meet cinematic magic, Zhenbeibu has hosted over 200 films, including Red Sorghum and New Dragon Gate Inn. Step into China’s “Hollywood of the East” and wander through ancient city sets, Ming Dynasty streets, and Wild West-inspired landscapes.

Shuidonggou, a UNESCO-listed archaeological marvel in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, is a gateway to China’s prehistoric past. Spanning over 7 square kilometers along the Yellow River, this Paleolithic site dates back 30,000 years and has yielded groundbreaking discoveries, including stone tools, animal fossils, and evidence of early human habitation. Designated a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit in 1988, it offers visitors a rare glimpse into the lives of ancient hunter-gatherers through immersive exhibits, recreated dwellings, and interactive trails.