6 Days Ningxia Ultimate Vacation: Desert Camping & Winery

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Yinchuan

   So honored to see you on our 6-day China tour in Ningxia! Upon your arrival, your driver will be waiting for you at the exit hall and then escort you to your hotel in the city center. The rest of the day is free for you. You can go to explore the Huaiyuan Sightseeing Night Market.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Yinchuan

2. Day 2: Yinchuan Culture Tour
   Explore Western Xia Dynasty and Prehistoric Art

   After breakfast, your Yinchuan tour today takes you to explore historical and cultural sites. Your first stop is the Western Xia Imperial Tombs, where you will have an in-depth exploration of the mysterious Western Xia Dynasty (1038-1227). Located on the eastern slope of the Helan Mountains, those royal tombs are the best-preserved historic cultural heritage representing the Tangut civilization at the largest scale and in the highest rank.

   

   Next, go to visit the Yuanshi Chateau, a famous local winery, with 2,000 acres of vineyards and a winery covering an area of 50 acres. Follow your tour guide to visit vineyards and wine-making facilities. The staff will explain the production process of wine to you. Also, taste some of the best wines produced here.

   In the afternoon, be transferred to Rock Paintings of Helan Mountain. These paintings record the production and living scenes of human grazing, hunting, sacrifice, warfare, dancing, and other activities 3,000 to 10,000 years ago. You will understand the history of human development. After finishing the day's visit, return to the Yinchuan hotel and take a good rest.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Yinchuan

3. Day 3: Yinchuan to Qingtongxia Tour
   Marvel at the Yellow River Canyon and Taste Great Wine

   Today, leave Yinchuan and drive to the beautiful Qingtongxia, which is about a 1.5-hour drive from Yinchuan. Upon arrival, you will be amazed by the Yellow River Gorge. The Qingtongxia Grand Canyon is the last canyon in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, with a magnificent dam and ancient mysterious 108 towers. Understand the status and significance of the Yellow River in China.

   After that, you will visit one of the best wineries in Ningxia - Xige (West Pigeon) Winery, a huge circular building with the characteristics of ancient Chinese cities and a modern feel, made of nearly 200,000 Helan Mountain stones. Here you will have a 2-3 hours wine tasting experience, accompanied by a look at the development of several wines. We will stay overnight at Xige Winery. There are only 12 rooms available, so they usually sell out quickly. You'd better book as early as possible.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Xige Winery

   

4. Day 4: Xige to Zhongwei Tour
   Enjoy the Fun of Desert Activities in Shapotou

   After breakfast, drive to Zhongwei City, a historic city on the banks of the Yellow River. Upon arrival, take a guided tour of Gaomiao Temple, a symmetrical structure with three floors. This temple is unique integrating Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism into one. Here preserves nearly 200 sculptures, looking vivid and exquisite.

   Next, head to Shapotou Scenic Area, which is on the southern rim of the Tengger Desert. Combining the vast desert, rough waves of the Mighty Yellow River, tall mountains and green oases, Shapotou offers visitors both the majestic northwest scenery and the beautiful southern landscape. Have fun in China's largest natural sand slide, and encounter the mirage that is rare in the desert.

   

   You can take a wide range of activities (at your own expense): camel-riding, sand-tobogganing, riding down the yellow river on a sheep-hide boat, dune buggies, etc.

   In the evening, you will spend the night in a yurt-style tent in the desert. It is a one-of-a-kind camping experience under the starry sky. Of course, you can return to Zhongwei City and stay in a comfortable hotel for the night.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: Desert Camping

5. Day 5: Yellow River Suji Tour
   Spend a Leisure Day to Explore China's First Homestay Cluster

   In the morning, bid farewell to the desert and head to Yellow River Suji, the first homestay cluster in China. It gathers natural landscapes such as the Yellow River, desert, Great Wall, wetlands, and ancient villages.

   

   You will spend a full day exploring. Go to lively bars, visit antique bookstores, browse art galleries, or just enjoy a leisurely picnic by the river. If you are a history enthusiast, you can stroll along the Great Wall ruins to gain a deeper understanding of the region's past stories.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Yellow River Suji

6. Day 6: To Zhongwei, Departure

   After a leisurely breakfast, you can enjoy the surroundings of Yellow River Suji on your own. Then the 6-day Ningxia tour comes to an end. Your driver will escort you to the airport or train station according to your departure time!

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: N/A