Ningxia Day 1: Ningxia Museum, Ziqiang Alley and Sunset at Lanshan Park

07 September 2025

A little random, but I would like to share this beautiful sunrise at Shanghai Pudong Airport before my flight. What a wonderful start to the day.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF YINCHUAN

My first day in Yinchuan, the capital of Ningxia, started quietly but beautifully. The skies were clear, the air felt crisp, and there was something about the city that felt both grounded and gentle.

THE NINGXIA MUSEUM (宁夏博物馆)

After checking in at the hotel, I began my afternoon at the Ningxia Museum, which turned out to be such a pleasant surprise. The building itself is beautiful and modern. Inside, the exhibits trace Ningxia’s story from the ancient Western Xia Dynasty to the region’s rich Hui Muslim culture. I especially loved how the displays blended art, history, and everyday life. It wasn’t just about relics, but about how people here have lived and adapted across centuries. To explore the legacy of the Western Xia and the spirit of Ningxia, the Ningxia Museum is a great place to start – where history, art, and mystery intertwine beautifully.

The grand entrance of the Ningxia Museum.

An installation showcasing ancient Chinese surnames and scripts, etched in bronze.

I managed to find my own family name.

Mural of 飞天 (Feitian) – or Apsaras, the celestial maidens in Buddhist art. This imagery originates from Indian Buddhist art, later flourishing in China’s Dunhuang Mogao Caves and throughout Western Xia, which ruled the Ningxia region centuries ago.

Old wooden molds once used to shape traditional Ningxia pastries. Each pattern carries its own meaning of luck and celebration.

Exquisite hairpins inlaid with turquoise and jade once adorned women of the Western Xia period.

Brightly embroidered tiger-head shoes that are handmade for children as a blessing for courage and protection.

Highlights:

Western Xia Relics Exhibition

Look out for the museum’s treasure, the Gilded Bronze Cattle (鎏金铜牛), which is absolutely exquisite in person. Also worth seeing are the Western Xia inscription steles and Buddhist scripture fragments, all steeped in mystery.

A fragment of a Western Xia inscription stone. It is one of the few remaining traces of the mysterious Western Xia script, once used by the Tangut people over 900 years ago.

Painted Pottery Tower (彩绘陶楼): A Han Dynasty painted pottery tower – a miniature ‘villa’ model from two thousand years ago, offering a glimpse into ancient architectural design and daily life.

Gilded Bronze Cattle ( 鎏金铜牛): The museum’s star treasure has endured nearly a thousand years.

Stone pedestal with muscular legs (力士志文支座): A sculpture base carved with inscriptions from the Western Xia, symbolising strength and guardianship.

A dragon roof ornament that once perched atop palace eaves to guard against evil spirits and call for rain.

Silk Road Exhibition

You will be able to find artifacts from the ancient Western Regions here – including glassware and Persian silver coins that tell stories of cross-cultural exchange.

Tracing the old Silk Road from China to the world – a reminder that Yinchuan once stood at the crossroads of countless journeys.

A display of ancient Chinese coins, from round copper cash with square holes to early silver pieces that once traveled the Silk Road.

Delicate silver plates engraved with floral patterns, showing the simple yet refined craftsmanship from the Silk Road era.

There are also gift shops in the museum, and the adorable “Little Sheep” blind box plushie keychain seems to be the favourite among visitors. I bought a fridge magnet for myself!

These adorable sheep plushie keychains from the blind boxes are quite irresistible!

Definitely a magnet collector’s paradise.

Bought this cute sheep keychain for myself too!

Address: No. 6, Renmin Square East Street, Jinfeng District, Yinchuan

银川市金凤区人民广场东街6号

Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed on Mondays, last admission 4:30 PM)

Admission: Free! (Reserve online in advance; just scan the admission QR code to enter.)

ZIQIANG ALLEY (自强巷)

I then wandered into Ziqiang Alley, a quiet corner that turned out to be one of my favourite finds in Yinchuan. It is a small lane – cosy, relaxed, and not too crowded – the kind of place you can explore fully in under an hour but still feel like lingering. The first thing that caught my eye was the street art – colourful murals painted along the walls, each one telling a little story about local life and creativity. There’s something charmingly raw and genuine about them, like glimpses into Yinchuan’s younger, more artistic side.

The walls along Ziqiang Alley are filled with colourful murals. Definitely very ig-worthy, and I had a lot of fun wandering around trying to spot them all.

Scattered along the alley are small cafes and souvenir shops. I loved how unhurried the vibe was. You can just pick a cafe, sit by the window, sip something sweet, and let time slow down.

Most are cafes with fewer eateries, so I suppose the mains may be more limited.

I stopped by Jiang’77 (酱柒柒甜品匠造坊) for a slice of cake as I was craving for something sweet. I felt like it was exactly what I needed after a busy few weeks at work – a quiet afternoon to simply daydream and unwind.

I treated myself to a slice of strawberry matcha cheesecake. Soft, creamy, and not too sweet.

Jiang’77 sells souvenirs as well.

Among the souvenir shelves, I also noticed beautiful bottles filled with coloured sand – most with delicate desert scenes inside. These sand art bottles (沙画瓶) are one of Ningxia’s most recognisable handicrafts. They are made with real sand from the Tengger Desert, just outside Yinchuan. Artists carefully pour and layer the sand through thin funnels, sometimes using fine metal sticks to draw patterns inside the bottle. The result: tiny, hand-crafted landscapes that capture the beauty of the desert in a bottle. I bought one for myself, and I love how it is like as though I am bringing home a tiny piece of the desert. Bonus: It glows in the dark!

The little shops along the alley were delightful too, filled with handmade trinkets and thoughtful souvenirs that make perfect gifts or keepsakes for yourself.

I love that there were so many sheep-themed souvenirs, from plushies to keychains and fridge magnets. Later, I learned that the sheep is Ningxia’s symbol of warmth and prosperity, rooted in the region’s long tradition of herding and its famous Tan sheep. Somehow, that made these little sheep even more endearing.

I bought this cute little sheep magnet. Psst... the sunglasses are magnetic and detachable!

If you are expecting a bustling shopping street or something “exciting,” you might be disappointed. But if what you want is a place to breathe, slow down, and just be, Ziqiang Alley has that kind of gentle magic.

MA PO LA HU HU (麻婆辣糊糊)

Dinner was at a small roadside stall called Ma Po La Hu Hu, just a stone's throw away from Ziqiang alley, where I tried 辣糊糊 (la hu hu) – one of Ningxia’s local comfort foods. What made the experience more fun was how you order it. You can pick from different 串 (chuàn) – skewers of vegetables, tofu, or meat – that is already cooking in the bubbling spicy paste. For those who prefer something milder, there’s also a non-spicy version called Guan Dong Zhu (关东煮) – or oden – where the skewers are simmered in a clear, savoury broth instead of spicy paste. After eating, your total is calculated based on how many skewers you took. The skewers that I chose costs 1 RMB each.

The seats filled up rather quickly after. It's nice to sit and savour the food while enjoying the cool evening air.

La hu hu is a local street food from Ningxia and Gansu, often described as a thick, spicy paste-style hotpot. The name literally means “spicy and mushy,” which captures its texture and flavour perfectly.

There’s also a non-spicy version of la hu hu known as Guan Dong Zhu. It is essentially oden, a light soy-based broth filled with skewered ingredients like radish, tofu, egg, and fish cake.

What I chose. I love the potatoes especially. This was obviously not enough and I went to top up more shortly after.

I sat on one of those tiny stools by the street and enjoyed the dish. It was such a fun, unpretentious way to experience Yinchuan’s food culture, and honestly one of the moments that will probably stay with me.

LANSHAN PARK (览山公园)

By late afternoon, I made my way to Lanshan Park. It’s a lovely spot to observe the sunset. The sunset was gentle and golden, casting a soft glow over the skyline. Lanshan Night Market (览山夜市) is just right beside the entrance to the park, and I bought a snack to munch on while waiting for the sunset.

The Lanshan Night Market sits just a short walk from the park entrance. I would highly recommend to buy some finger food to enjoy as you watch the sun dips below the skyline.

There are street food and local snacks being sold here. Some can be a little repetitive though!

I bought a meat-and-egg burger (肉蛋堡).

The burger reminded me a little of a sausage and egg McMuffin, but with a slightly sweeter bun and a smoky, street-grilled flavour. Simple, hearty, and super comforting as I sat and anticipate the sunset.

As the sun began to set, the entire park was bathed in warm, golden light. The main colonnade-style structure at the hilltop, reminiscent of Rome’s Colosseum, glowed beautifully under the soft light.

It does look a little like Rome’s Colosseum doesnt it?

I found my spot on the steps, munching on my burger and watching the sun melt into the lake while music drifted through the air.

The setting sun paints the place golden.

There was also a busker singing nearby, his voice carrying softly through the park. I hadn’t planned to stay long, but I sat there long after the sun had set – just listening, feeling the evening breeze, and watching the lights shimmer on the structure when night fell. It was such a peaceful, grounding moment. A simple yet perfect way to end the day.

Long after the sun had set, I stayed – listening to the busker’s singing, watching the lights shimmer across the water. The colonnade glowed like gold against the night, and everything felt still and beautiful.

I returned back to Lanshan Night Market to grab some late night snack in the hotel. When the sun goes down, the whole stretch of food stalls lights up with a soft neon glow.

A freshly made crispy potato pancake (土豆饼), bought from the night market. Golden and fragrant, it was crisp on the outside and soft inside, brushed lightly with chilli and cumin. It's rather similar to rosti, I feel, but more savoury and chewy on the inside. I love it!

EVEN HOTEL YINCHUAN

I stayed at EVEN Hotel Yinchuan for the night. The room is modern with little touches that made it feel thoughtful, like yoga mats and soft lighting. After a full day of walking, that bed felt like a small slice of heaven.

My room at EVEN Hotel Yinchuan. A quiet place to unwind in after a full day of exploring.

I love how the room came with its own wellness setup. Such a thoughtful touch for travellers who want to stretch and reset.

It was a slow, easy first day. It is the kind of day where you explore without rushing, just soaking in the city’s calm charm. From history and murals to food and sunsets, Yinchuan already feels special. Tomorrow, the desert awaits.

Love,

Shu