 The
Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, in the eastern part of northwestern China, covers
an area of 66,400 square kilometers, with an elevation ranging from 1,100 to 2,200
meters. It borders Shaanxi Province in the east, Gansu Province in the southwest,
and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in the northwest. With a total population
of 5.3 million, Ningxia has three cities, 16 counties, two county-level cities,
and six prefectures. Yinchuan is the capital.
Ningxia is one of the cradles
of Chinese civilization. It has been proved that human activities existed here
30,000 years ago, leaving behind a rich heritage combining the cultures of Western
Xia State, the migrants, the boundary areas, and Islam. Ningxia has many historic
sites, such as the mystic royal mausoleums of the Western Xia State - often called
the Pyramids of China - and the cliff carvings on Mt. Helan. Bird Island, the
magnificent Mt. Helan, the boundless deserts, and the splendid Huanghe (Yellow)
River make Ningxia a final destination for holidaymakers. Ningxia's population
includes more than 20 ethnic minorities, one third of whom are the Hui. The Huis
in Ningxia account for one sixth of all the Huis in China. Thus, Ningxia is also
known as the Home of the Hui People. Ningxia has become an important window in
China displaying the religion, the lifestyle, and the culture of the Hui people. Ningxia
has two state-level scenic spots, three provincial-level scenic spots, five key
units of relics under state protection, one state-level ancient cultural city,
and one scenic spot on UNESCO's list of the World's Top 500 Scenic Spots. Travelers
can choose among the many tourist activities, such as riding camels through the
Tengger Desert and rafting along the Huanghe River. Ningxia enjoys natural
advantages along the banks of the Huanghe River. Ningxia, an old, mystical tract
of land, has become more attractive for its rich tourist resources and convenient
telecommunications and transportation. |
 the
main attractions of the Scenic Qingtongxia Reservoir on the western shore of the
YellowRiver are 108 Buddhist pagodas. They range in height from 3.5 to 2.5 metres,
fashioned in three shapes (pyramid, gourd, and vase), and arranged on a rising
mountain slope in rows of increasing odd numbers to form a colossal triangle.
A major scenery by the Yellow River.
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 Gaomiao,
located in Zhongwei County and built in the Ming Dynasty, is a building complex
with 260 to wers and pavilions on a 4,000-meter-tall terrace. Bridges link most
of the towers and pavilions. It is a sacred place for Confucianism, Taoism, and
Buddhism, and is one of the large ancient building complexes in Ningxia.
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 Ningxia
has vast desert, offering advantageous condition for desert adventures. One of
the most popular tourist routes in Ningxia is to travel the Tengger Desert, one
of the four largest deserts in China, on camelback. One can experience the life
of camping, picnic, and bonfire in the desert, and learn about the project of
artificial desert control.
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Located
56 kilometers north of Yinchuan, the Sand Lake is a lake dotted with sands. It
combines the lush southern-type view and the northern-frontier scene beyond the
Great Wall. It is one of the major scenic spots in China.
Also
known as the North Pagoda, Haibao Pagoda is located on the northern outskirts
of Yinchuan. It is a unit of relic under state protection. Unique in style and
exquisite in construction, it is a precious treasure of ancient pagodas in China.
At the foot of the pagoda there is an ancient Buddhist temple, where the Ningxia
Society of Buddhism is located. 
The
Royal Mausoleum of the Western Xia State is located at the eastern foot of Mt.
Helan, 35 kilometers from Yinchuan. It ranks 10th among China's National Scenic
Spots. Covering an area of 50 square kilometers, the tombs buried nine kings and
more than 140 royal family members of the Western Xia State. The tombs is in the
shape of pyramid, hence its name the Pyramid in China.