Top Yinchuan activities and outdoor adventures

In addition to its striking desert and mountain landscapes, cultural activities are an essential part of a trip to Yinchuan. Visitors can take part in hands-on experiences such as Helan inkstone carving, paper-cutting, rock rubbing from ancient petroglyphs, wine tasting in the Helan Mountain East Foothills vineyards, and traditional Hui food experiences. From exploring Western Xia heritage and Silk Road history to engaging with local crafts and everyday traditions, Yinchuan offers a rich blend of cultural activities and landscapes, with hands-on experiences that bring its history and traditions to life.

A Wine & Terroir Experience

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Food/ Architecture
• Duration: Around 1 hour
• Location: Yinchuan

The eastern foothills of the Helan Mountains form the heart of Ningxia’s wine region, known for its open landscapes, mountain-backed vineyards, and a growing collection of distinctive wineries. More than 200 wineries of varying styles are scattered across the foothills, ranging from boutique family estates to internationally acclaimed châteaux. Notable wineries include Château Changyu Moser XV, Yuquan International Winery, and Zhihui Yuanshi Winery, each offering a distinct interpretation of terroir, architecture, and winemaking philosophy.

What you can do and experience

Winery visits and guided tastings: Explore working wineries and learn about grape varieties, terroir, and winemaking techniques through guided tours. Professional tastings introduce you to Ningxia’s signature styles, from structured reds to elegant blends, often paired with local snacks.

Vineyard walks and scenic exploration: Stroll through vineyard rows set against the Helan Mountains, especially atmospheric in the early morning or late afternoon. Many estates feature landscaped grounds, observation decks, and photo-friendly viewpoints.

Wine culture and exhibitions: Some wineries offer dedicated cultural spaces. For example, Yuquan International Winery features a Chinese wine culture exhibition hall and poetry-themed landscapes, combining wine appreciation with traditional aesthetics.

Cellar tours and behind-the-scenes access: Visit underground wine cellars, barrel rooms, and production areas to see aging, bottling, and storage processes up close. At Zhihui Yuanshi Winery, guests can explore enclosed vineyards and extensive cellar facilities.

Hands-on and educational activities: Participate in vine adoption programs, seasonal vineyard work, or wine-focused study tours. These activities are well suited for families, students, and travelers interested in learning through experience.

Leisure and outdoor experiences: Some estates integrate wine with nature and recreation, such as walking trails, open lawns, and mountain-view leisure parks. Zhihui Yuanshi Winery also connects its vineyards with the Helan Mountain Sports and Leisure Park, offering a relaxed balance of activity and wine culture.

Helan Mountain Rock Art

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Art/ Architecture
• Duration: Around 1 hour
• Location: Helan Mountain Rock Painting Site Scenic Area, Yinchuan

Discover the ancient rock carvings of the Helan Mountains through a hands-on rubbing experience. Dating back 3,000–10,000 years, these vivid engravings depict early nomadic life, including hunting scenes, animals, rituals, and celestial symbols.

Under staff guidance, use traditional tools such as xuan paper, ink, and soft brushes to create your own rock art rubbing from replica carvings. First, a sheet of xuan paper is gently laid over a replica rock carving. Using a soft brush, you lightly tap the paper so it settles into the carved grooves. Then, with an ink-soaked pad, you softly pat the surface. Gradually, the ancient images emerge on the paper, revealing their lines, textures, and forms. As the images gradually appear on paper, you gain a tangible connection to prehistoric creativity and belief systems.

Take home a unique cultural souvenir and enjoy an immersive encounter with one of Ningxia’s most fascinating ancient art forms.

Aiyi Lavender Manor Lavender Fields Experience

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Art/ Architecture
• Duration: Around 1 hour
• Location: Aiyi Lavender Manor Lavender Fields, Yinchuan

Hidden along the Yellow River in Ningxia lies a destination often compared to Provence, a town-like lavender paradise spread across more than 3,300 mu of blooming fields. Aiyi Lavender Manor is home to vast plantings of French blue lavender, with peak flowering season from June to August.

The manor preserves its natural terrain, while its architecture features Mediterranean and European-inspired designs. Highlights include the Romantic Gate, a Mediterranean-style street, a Yellow River boardwalk, and areas for RV camping. Upon entering, visitors pass rows of mulberry trees where seasonal fruit picking is available, adding a hands-on rural touch to the experience.

Stroll through endless waves of purple lavender under clear skies, breathe in the soothing fragrance, and admire the elegant European-style buildings scattered throughout the grounds. Combining flower viewing, light activities, and relaxed sightseeing, Aiyi Lavender Manor offers a charming and romantic countryside escape in Ningxia.

Paper-Cutting Experience in Yinchuan

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Art/ Architecture
• Duration: Around 1 hour
• Location: Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Center

Paper-cutting, one of China’s most cherished folk arts, has a long history in Yinchuan. Traditionally used for decorating windows, doors, and festive occasions, Ningxia-style paper cuts are known for their intricate patterns, bold designs, and symbolic motifs reflecting local culture, nature, and folklore. The art embodies both craftsmanship and storytelling, capturing the aesthetic sensibilities of generations.

A prime location to experience this living heritage is the Yinchuan Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Center, open from April 1 to October 31, 08:30 to 18:00. Here, skilled artisans demonstrate the traditional techniques, from folding and cutting to creating elaborate designs. Visitors can try their hand at making their own paper-cut, guided by experts, and take their creation home as a unique souvenir.

Engaging in this hands-on activity allows you to not only appreciate the delicate artistry but also connect with Ningxia’s cultural traditions in a personal and memorable way.

Helan Inkstone Craftsmanship Experience

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Art/ Architecture
• Duration: Around 1 hour
• Location: Zhenbeibao Town

The inkstone, together with the brush, ink, and paper, has been revered for centuries as one of the Four Treasures of the Chinese Scholar’s Studio, essential to the art of calligraphy and classical painting. Among them, the Helan Inkstone stands out for its long history and exceptional craftsmanship, which has been officially recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage of China.

Renowned for its fine texture, excellent ink absorption, and remarkable durability, the Helan Inkstone is valued not only as a functional tool but also as an object of artistic and collectible significance, and it is recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage of China. Its creation is a meticulous process involving eight traditional steps, from stone selection and shaping to fine carving, polishing, inscription, and waxing. Mastery of this craft requires years of apprenticeship, reflecting the depth of skill passed down through generations.

At the Helan Inkstone Intangible Heritage Workshop in Zhenbeibao Town, Xixia District of Yinchuan, visitors enter the heart of this living tradition. Here, certified master artisans demonstrate hand-carving techniques on-site, offering rare insight into the patience and precision behind each piece. In the hands-on experience area, guests may also try basic polishing under guidance, gaining a tangible connection to this centuries-old scholarly craft.

Ningxia Home-Style Cooking Class

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Art/ Food
• Duration: Around 2 hour
• Location: Yinchuan

Visiting major attractions and museums alone is not enough to truly understand Yinchuan. Local cuisine plays a key role in experiencing the city’s culture, especially its Hui Muslim food traditions. Lamb-based dishes, hand-pulled noodles, and Eight Treasures Tea are everyday favorites you will find across Yinchuan.

In this cooking experience, you will visit a local home or cultural kitchen in Yinchuan and learn how to prepare classic Ningxia dishes. With guidance from your host, you can try making hand-pulled noodles (la tiaozi), cook a traditional Hui-style lamb dish, and brew Eight Treasures Tea while learning about halal food customs and local ingredients. This relaxed and interactive class is suitable for both adults and children, and offers a wonderful opportunity to chat with locals, share a home-cooked meal, and gain genuine insight into daily life and food culture in Yinchuan.

Desert Star-Gazing and Campfire Night

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Art/
• Duration: Around 2-3 hour
• Location: Yinchuan

As night falls over the Tengger Desert, the vast dunes transform into a natural observatory far from city lights. With almost no light pollution, the sky reveals a breathtaking display of stars, constellations, and the Milky Way stretching across the horizon. Guided by a local host, you will enjoy a simple astronomy introduction, learning to identify major constellations and hearing stories behind the stars, making the experience both relaxing and enlightening even for first-time stargazers.

After stargazing, gather around a warm campfire set among the quiet dunes. Enjoy soft music, hot tea or traditional milk tea, and the peaceful rhythm of the desert night. Sitting under a sky filled with stars, the crackling fire and gentle desert breeze create an unforgettable atmosphere that feels both intimate and expansive, offering foreign travelers a rare chance to connect with nature, culture, and the silence of the desert.

Customize Your Unique Yinchuan Tour

If you are interested in the Yinchuan itineraries mentioned above, please contact us, and we will be happy to customize it and provide a quote tailored to your preferences.

Alternatively, if you would like to customize your Yinchuan Tour, please visit our Ningxia Tour Customized Center. We assure you that you will receive a reply within 24 working hours.

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