Yinchuan Attractions

The Chengtian Temple is located in the southwest part of town. Inside the temple ground resides the Chengtian Si Pagoda, or known locally as the Western Pagoda. This pagoda was built by the widow of Li Yuanhao. After his death, the empress had this Buddhist tower in hopes of ensuring a long life for their year old son. Perhaps because Genghis Khan's underlings carried out his final order to destroy the Western Xia with such zeal, this is the only pagoda that retains any surviving records of its construction. The octagonal pagoda is 64.5m high and was built in AD 1050. Climb up the pagoda for a good view of Yinchuan and of the nearby Helan Shan. The temple originally had two courtyards; one of them is now occupied by the Ningxia Museum, which has 4 exhibition halls detailing the Western Xia, Hui culture and history, Ningxia history and the prehistoric paintings at Helan Shan.

In the old section of town is the Nanguan Mosque, which was originally built at the end of the Ming dynasty and rebuilt in 1981. The Arabic styled domes can be clearly seen rising above the city's low skyline, which isn't often seen because the majority of mosques in China adopt Sinicized architectural styles that are hard to distinguish for the untrained eye. The two-storey main hall has the prayer hall on the second level, if here on a Friday, the Islamic holy day, the area will seem as if deluged in a sea of white as the pious don their white skullcaps and kneel in prayer. The prayer hall can hold up to 1,300 devout worshipper s. There's also an exhibition hall displaying Muslim texts from the Koran. The mosque also welcomes non believers, though one must observe proper etiquette and dress modestly.

The Haibao Pagoda stands on the foundations of a 5th century pagoda in northern Yinchuan. The original pagoda was destroyed in an earthquake in 1739 and the current one dates from1771. The pagoda itself is uniquely constructed with outcropping niches that make it appear multisided. Climbing to the top also rewards with a spectacular view of the countryside, the nearby mountains and the Yellow River. A 7m Buddha relaxes in one of the halls on the temple grounds.

30km from Yinchuan is the Western Xia Imperial Tombs. Measuring 50km², 9 large tombs hold the remains of Western Xia emperors plus 140 accompanying tombs for their courtiers, some of whom may not have actually been dead when buried along with their emperor. Many of the tombs were destroyed by the Mongols, with grave robbers finishing the area off, though archeologists still make the occasional find. Unique to China, the tumuli are shaped as pyramids.

About 50km northwest of Yinchuan is Helan Shan. About 3,000 to 10,000 years ago, the people who lived in the area immortalized themselves by painting various scenes of their lives and their beliefs into the rock face. Over 1,000 petroglyphs have been discovered at the Helan Shan Yanhua site. At Helan Kou is a valley that penetrates through the desolate mountain. On both sides of this valley, running for 600m are where most of the paintings are. The ancient artists left vivid depictions of hunting, herding, battles, dancing and religious ceremonies with many of the human figures painted in an abstract style. Halfway up the mountain is an impressive painting of what's believed to be a sun deity, which is definitely worth the hike. The Western Xia also added their legacy to the rock face by carving intricate calligraphy over the ancient petroglyphs. If the cliff paintings don't perk your interest, the stunning mountains and views will.