Things to do in Zhongning
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Top 10 attractions in Zhongning
Shikong Buddhist Temple
Shikong Buddha Temple is located at the southern foot of Shuanglong Mountain in Jinsha Village, Yuding Township, Zhongning County. Shuanglong Mountain was called "Shikong Mountain" in ancient times, so the grottoes were named after "Shikong". Facing the Yellow River, the Great Wall in the north, and 20 kilometers away from the county seat, the Dafo Temple is a key Buddhist temple in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and one of the key cultural relics protection units in the autonomous region. The grottoes are carved into the gravel under the steep cliffs. There are a total of 13 caves, divided into three groups of upper, middle and lower caves, which were called "Three Temples" at that time. There is a Lingguang Cave in the upper temple, which is 4.5 meters high, 8.9 meters deep and 5.9 meters wide. The Baizi Guanyin Cave is 2.5 meters high, 1.5 meters deep and 2 meters wide. Wanfo Cave is 4 meters high, 8.2 meters deep, and 6 meters wide. There are Buddha statues and Arhats in it, and many small Buddha statues on the top. The bears are different and lifelike. The bears are compassionate and peaceful. The above three holes are all on the second floor pavilion. The first floor is the Mahavira Hall, with the three saints of Huayan, Sakyamuni Buddha in the middle, holding the Dharma, the Buddha statue is 3 meters high, the Vajra seat, Ananda, Kasyapa protector, on both sides Manjushri rides a peacock lion, Puxian rides a six-toothed giant Elephant, the palace is resplendent. Followed by Fu Lu Shou Sanxing Cave, 1.9 meters high, 1.9 meters deep, 3.2 meters wide, there are murals inside. Sanqing Cave is 4 meters high and 5.7 meters deep. It is 6 meters wide, which is the left and right side halls of the current Daxiong Palace. The Middle Temple is Jiujian Wuliang Temple Cave, which is the center of the entire grotto and has been included in the "Chinese Dictionary of Famous Scenic Spots". This hole is spacious and grand, 125 meters wide, 25 meters high, and 724 meters deep. There are five caves in the lower temple, the first one may be for monks, the second is Niangniang Cave, the third is Yaowang Cave, the fourth is Dragon King Cave, and the fifth is Sleeping Buddha Cave. The Qing Dynasty "Ningxia Fuzhi" recorded: "The stone walls of the Shikong Dafo Temple are steep, hollow like pottery caves, and the Hongkong can seat hundreds of people. Because of the stone carvings, the temples are all built on the mountain structure. Like stars hanging in the sky", in the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Shikong Temple Grottoes were already one of the ten local scenic spots, called "Shikong Night Lantern" or "Shikong Lantern". There is a poem praising the Shikong Temple: "The folded peaks are exquisite and the stone is empty, who opens the orchid like a blue cloud? The monk sits quietly at night and lights the lamp, watching a drop of red in the clear mountain." Every time around the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, tourists and believers from all over Come, worship Buddha, watch operas, do business, and tours on the mountain.Zhongning · 10.9 km from downtown
Xixia Imperial Tombs
Xixia Imperial Tombs, located in the western suburbs of YinchuanHelan MountainThe Western Xia Mausoleum served as the royal burial site of the Western Xia Dynasty, where several emperors were interred. Today, the entire mausoleum complex contains 9 imperial tombs and over 140 accompanying burial sites, making it one of the largest royal burial grounds in Chinese history by area. The tombs feature a unique inverted steamed-bun shape unlike any other Chinese mausoleums. Additionally, the attraction includes facilities such as the Western Xia Mausoleum Museum, Western Xia Mausoleum - Western Xia Historical Art Gallery, and Western Xia Stele Forest to help visitors understand the historical and cultural significance behind these tombs. The attraction currently has mausoleums No. 1, 2, and 3 open for visitors. Mausoleum No. 3 (the "Tai Mausoleum" of Li Yuanhao, founding emperor of the Western Xia Dynasty) is located relatively close to The Western Xia Mausoleum's Western Xia History Art Museum and Western Xia Stele Forest. The Western Xia Dynasty was established by the Tangut people, with distinct writing systems and customs different from the Han Chinese of the Central Plains. After the dynasty's fall, its cities and history mysteriously vanished into the Gobi Desert, becoming an enduring enigma until modern discoveries and interpretations. The Western Xia Mausoleum Museum houses a rich collection of artifacts from the dynasty, including many precious stone carvings with Tangut script and murals showcasing Western Xia artistic styles. The museum offers free guides that provide fascinating insights into the customs, culture, rise, and fall of this mysterious dynasty, enhancing visitors' experience when exploring the mausoleum. On July 11, 2025, the Western Xia Mausoleum was officially inscribed on the World Heritage List. You can visit the Haowang Mausoleum up close within the attraction. The massive inverted semicircular tomb stands on the wasteland, bringing centuries of history vividly before your eyes, while in the distance...Helan MountainThe rugged ravines of the mountain ridges evoke a profound sense of desolate grandeur and timeless vicissitude. The Western Xia Mausoleum Museum inside the attraction has been newly unveiled. The exhibits are divided into six sections: history of Western Xia, Western Xia culture, Western Xia religious art, Western Xia socio-economy, Western Xia Mausoleum, and preservation & inheritance. Nearly 5,000 artifacts are displayed, including thangka paintings, documents, clay sculptures, bronze and ironware, textiles, and porcelain. Many of these are exquisite cultural relics unearthed during recent archaeological research at the Western Xia Mausoleum.China · Yinchuan
Gansu Provincial Museum
Gansu Provincial Museum is a large comprehensive museum centered on the civilization of the Silk Road. Located at a strategic point along the Silk Road and a convergence zone of Han and Tibetan cultures, its collections embody the diverse characteristics of the Central Plains, Western Regions, and the Tibetan Plateau. The three treasured artifacts—the Galloping Bronze Horse, the mural brick of a courier, and the painted pottery vase with a human-head-shaped mouth—serve as iconic representations of the museum. The museum has three floors, featuring permanent exhibitions on themes such as the civilization of the Silk Road, Buddhist art of Gansu, painted pottery of Gansu, paleontological fossils, and revolutionary Gansu. The Silk Road civilization exhibition on the second floor is the museum's centerpiece: the bronze galloping horse unearthed in 1969 from the Leitai Han tomb in Wuwei is displayed here. The horse has three hooves in the air and one stepping on a flying bird, standing steadily on a single hoof. Its image is now the symbol of Chinese tourism. In the same hall, the mural brick depicting a courier from the Wei-Jin tombs in Jiayuguan shows a messenger galloping on horseback, notably without a mouth, symbolizing the need for couriers to "keep their mouths shut." This pattern was later adopted as the emblem of China Post. The exhibition also features a procession of chariots and horses excavated from the same tomb as the bronze horse, along with Han and Tang dynasty silk textiles, gold and silver artifacts, making the prosperity of Silk Road trade vividly tangible. The Buddhist art exhibition hall on the third floor features replicas of caves from the Mogao Grottoes and Maijishan Grottoes, alongside statues, ritual objects, white pagodas, and prayer wheels from both Han and Tibetan Buddhism. Stepping into the hall feels like entering a temple, and this harmonious blend of Han and Tibetan styles is rarely seen elsewhere. On the same floor, the painted pottery exhibition showcases ceramics from cultures such as Dadiwan, Yangshao, and Majiayao, with intricate and fluid patterns like spiral and sawtooth designs. Among them, the painted pottery bottle with a human-head-shaped spout unearthed at Dadiwan in Qin'an, which integrates facial sculpture with the pottery vessel, is a highly popular exhibit. If you're interested in natural history, the paleontological fossils exhibition hall features the impressive skeleton of the Yellow River ancient elephant unearthed in Heshui, and the dinosaur fossils and reconstructed models are also popular with children. The revolutionary Gansu exhibition hall showcases historical artifacts and materials from periods such as the Nanliang base area and the Shaan-Gan-Ning border region, narrating the modern history of this land. The museum houses a large quantity of exhibits, and even a quick tour would take half a day. It's recommended to start with the Silk Road exhibition on the second floor, then proceed to the third floor for Buddhist art and painted pottery, following a logical route. In the exhibition halls, you can scan to listen to the audio guide, and at certain times, volunteers also provide guided explanations.China · Lanzhou
Ningxia Museum
The Ningxia Museum is a provincial-level comprehensive museum in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The building's floor plan is shaped like the Chinese character "回" (hui), reflecting the region's name. The architectural elements used in the exterior decorations, such as the Kalavinka (a mythical bird) and the strongman-shaped support base, as well as the decorative patterns on the four main gates, are representative of Ningxia's historical and cultural heritage and possess distinct regional characteristics. The museum has four floors, with the three ground floors open to the general visitors. The first floor of the museum houses the visitor service hall and temporary exhibition halls. Here, you'll also find the rock painting exhibition titled "Stone carvings as history books." Stepping into this hall feels like entering an ancient era. While travelers often prefer visiting the ancient rock paintings in Helan Mountain, many rock art sites across Ningxia remain less visited due to their remote locations and limited transportation. In this exhibition hall, visitors can get up close with a wider collection of Ningxia's rock paintings. The museum's second floor houses the "General history of Ningxia exhibition hall," a key area for travelers. Treasures like the Western Han dynasty silver-inlaid bronze sheep, Tang dynasty stone door panels depicting the Sogdian whirl dance, Western Xia dynasty gilded bronze ox, and human figure pedestals are all displayed here. Travelers can also view rubbings of the "Stele inscription of the reconstructed Huguo Temple stupa in Liangzhou," where the Western Xia script appears more block-like than Chinese characters. The third floor features folk culture exhibits, including interactive electronic screens for experiencing Ningxia's unique square chess game.China · Yinchuan
Wuhai Lake Leisure Resort Tourist Area
Wuhai Lake Ecological Tourism Attraction is a 118 square kilometer soothing water surface and lake area formed after the completion of the Yellow River Haibowan Water Conservancy Project. Together with the Gander Mountain Ecological Civilization Attraction, it presents a spectacular scene of water and sand complementing each other and mountains and waters connecting each other. It runs across Wuhai City from north to south, covering the Ulan Buh Desert, Ulan Nur Lake, Wuhai Lake, Poplar Island, Rabbit Island and other scenic spots. Looking from east to west, the waves are clear and the water is blue, reaching the golden sand bank. On one side is blue water and on the other side is golden sand. It is magnificent and natural, forming a beautiful picture of "the desert comes out of the flat lake. There is Jiangnan on the frontier". Wuhai Lake Ecological Tourism Area is an organic combination of six major scenic sources: desert, flat lake, reeds, flying birds, sand hills and swimming fish. It is the best choice for original ecological leisure tourism. The Attraction combines land, sea and air experience projects such as desert camps, water entertainment, and low-altitude flights. It has developed a number of green tourism routes such as "Desert Tour" and "Water Tour", including water cruise sightseeing tours, desert off-road sightseeing tours, and reed marsh special tours, bringing a new experience.China · Wuhai
Shuidonggou Tourist Attraction
Shuidonggou is a Paleolithic cultural site excavated in China. It is known as "the birthplace of Chinese prehistoric archaeology" and "a historical witness of cultural exchanges between China and the West". It is a national key cultural relic protection unit, a national AAAAA-level tourist Attraction, and a national geological park. It is listed by the state as one of the 100 major sites under national cultural relic protection and one of the "100 archaeological discoveries of great significance to Chinese civilization". The Shuidonggou site records the historical witness of the reproduction and struggle of ancient humans with nature, and contains rich and precious prehistoric data. It shows people the survival picture of ancient humans 40,000 years ago. It is the Paleolithic site that has been officially excavated in the Yellow River region in China so far. In 1923, French paleontologists Teilhard and Sang Zhihua discovered a prehistoric cultural site here. Through excavation, a large number of stone tools and animal fossils were unearthed. Shuidonggou has therefore become the ancient human cultural site where the Paleolithic Age was discovered in China. Today, over the past 80 years, after six archaeological excavations, more than 30,000 stone tools and 67 ancient animal fossils have been unearthed in Shuidonggou. Shuidonggou is also a well-preserved military defense architecture in northern my country, including the ancient Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty, the Hengcheng Dabian, beacon towers, city barriers, forts, and caves for hiding soldiers. Shuidonggou is located on the southern edge of the Ordos plateau. The Yadan landform created by nature has experienced tens of millions of years of wind and sand erosion. There are more than 20 unique earth forest landscapes here, including the Devil City, Wotuo Ridge, Motian Cliff, Duanyun Valley, and Tamarix Valley.China · Lingwu
Tengger Desert
Tengger Desert is the fourth largest desert in China. Tengger Mongolian means sky, which means the vast quicksand is like a boundless sky. There are hundreds of lakes that have survived for tens of millions of years in the desert, the more famous ones are Swan Lake and Moon Lake. Under the blue sky, the desert is vast, desolate and majestic, the rolling sand dunes for thousands of miles are scattered like frozen waves, and the soft lines show its extraordinary charm. Moon Lake resembles a map of China, half is a freshwater lake and half is a saltwater lake. Swan Lake is about 35 kilometers away from the north and south of Moon Lake. It is surrounded by a vast desert, with rolling sand dunes and rolling sand waves. The scene is magnificent and refreshing. Swan Lake and Moon Lake are big and small. They set off each other and have their own charms, attracting a large number of tourists.China · Alxa Left Banner
Lanzhou Old Street
Lanzhou Old Street is located in the center of Lanzhou city, gathers Chinese branded products, nightlife, trendy fashion brands, retail centers, experiential businesses, catering and entertainment, leading the trend and creating a place for eating, drinking, fun and entertainment in Lanzhou.China · Lanzhou
Tonghu Grassland Tourist Areas
The Tonghu Grassland lies in the hinterlands of the Tengri Desert. The grasslands, deserts, and lakes together form an area of natural beauty. Fresh air, clusters of cattle and sheep and white yurts come together to create a fascinating view. The blue sky, white clouds, grassland, cattle, and sheep, and the enthusiastic grassland herders, create a feeling of peaceful isolation. During the day, you can ride a horse through the vast grassland, wander around on a camel, or find a good place to sit down, drink tea, and admire the natural beauty. In the evening, you can meet visitors from all around at a bonfire party, where you can eat meat, drink wine and mellow milk tea, and listen to the melodious horse-head fiddle. A stimulating, satisfying, and happy experience!Alxa Left Banner · 66.2 km from Zhongning
Zhongshan Bridge
Zhongshan Bridge, also known as the Lanzhou Yellow River Iron Bridge, spans the Yellow River with White Pagoda Mountain to its north and serves as a city landmark of Lanzhou. Completed in the late Qing Dynasty, it was built by the German firm Telge & Schroeter. The bridge materials, including steel beams and cement, were shipped from Germany across the ocean and then transported to Lanzhou via railway and horse-drawn carriage. It is one of the earliest permanent bridges built across the Yellow River in Lanzhou's history. It was later renamed Zhongshan Bridge in memory of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, a name that remains in use today. The bridge is over 200m long, and its gray-black steel truss structure is simple and substantial. The several arched steel ribs added above the bridge body during reinforcement in the 1950s give the entire structure a more imposing appearance. Today, the iron bridge is open only to pedestrians. Walking onto the bridge deck, you can see the Yellow River flowing slowly eastward beneath your feet. On the south bank lies the lush Binhe Road, while the north bank is home to White Pagoda Mountain Park. Climbing to the top of the mountain and looking back, the view of the iron bridge, the Yellow River, and the streetscape on both banks framed together is particularly beautiful. People often line up to take photos in front of the golden "Zhongshan Bridge" inscription at the south end of the bridge. In the pavilion on the east side of the south bridgehead stands a Ming Dynasty "General Pillar," a relic from the earlier Zhenyuan Floating Bridge that is easy to miss if you just walk past. After nightfall, the iron bridge offers a different scene: the bridge's colorful lights turn on, and the entire outline of the bridge is clearly illuminated. On one side are the bustling lights of Binhe Road, and on the other are the lights shining on the mountain, making it a great place to experience and photograph the night view of Lanzhou.China · Lanzhou
Free things to do in Zhongning
Shikong Buddhist Temple
Zhongning · 10.9 km from downtownXixia Imperial Tombs
China · YinchuanBook now for tomorrow, Cancel anytimeGansu Provincial Museum
China · LanzhouNingxia Museum
China · YinchuanBook now for tomorrow, Cancel anytimeWuhai Lake Leisure Resort Tourist Area
China · WuhaiShuidonggou Tourist Attraction
China · LingwuTengger Desert
China · Alxa Left BannerLanzhou Old Street
China · LanzhouTonghu Grassland Tourist Areas
Alxa Left Banner · 66.2 km from ZhongningBook now for tomorrow, Cancel anytimeZhongshan Bridge
China · Lanzhou
What travelers say about Zhongning
Ethan_PiuJuly 8, 2020
4.0
We drove along the Baolan Railway to Zhongwei. We saw the sign of Shikong Big Buddha Temple on the roadside and passed through a small tunnel under the railway. This is where the Shuanglong Grottoes are located. It is not large in scale, but well preserved. We suggest that you don’t miss it if you pass by.
Shikong Buddhist Temple
134***48October 20, 2026
5.0
It's a bit far from downtown Yinchuan. There weren't many tourists when I went in the summer, so the overall visit was quite comfortable. Perhaps because it's a relatively new scenic spot, the facilities are quite good, but it's a bit sunny.
Xixia Imperial Tombs
M14***99October 6, 2026
5.0
Lina, the lecturer at the Gambo Museum, is exceptionally skilled. During the two-hour learning experience, she demonstrated a thorough understanding of the chronological order and comparative analysis of the artifacts, meticulously integrating historical evolution with everyday life. I look forward to the completion of the new Gambo Museum and visiting it again next time.
Gansu Provincial Museum
ballballOctober 10, 2026
5.0
I had just arrived in Yinchuan this morning and hurriedly booked a guided tour of the museum. Our guide, Chen Jianrong, quickly contacted me and explained the itinerary and some important notes. He was attentive, responsible, and very approachable. It was another day of learning!
Ningxia Museum
nana ななOctober 11, 2026
5.0
I think it's worth a visit for those who like deserts.
I've lived in Wuhai for several years but never officially visited. But this trip was quite breathtaking. It's probably even more beautiful in summer.
Overall, the experience was alright.
Wuhai Lake Leisure Resort Tourist Area
GordHOctober 18, 2026
4.0
Excellent. A site with lots to see and experience, it takes a few hours to go around the circular route, sometimes walking, with horse or camel drawn buggies or minivans taking you between locations. The museums and displays are good, The Paleolithic finds here helped rewrite understanding on early human life in the region, and seeing part of the old earthen bank section of the Ming Wall, and hidden tunnel fort, then the impressive new Great Wall Museum, provided some superb memories.I joined the tour bus at what was called the Western Bus Station (but is known by other names and is south of the rail station, past the first bus depo, then over the road, and in the western end of three buildings). After security there was a waiting area and information desk where we met. Several others joined at pre-arranged pickup points on route to the destination. We were taken to the entrance, tickets got for us, told when to be back at the bus, then left free to explore..
Shuidonggou Tourist Attraction
蕾静June 22, 2026
5.0
Upon arriving at the Yellow River area, we headed straight there. We wanted to try the famous "Flying Yellow River" (Yellow River Zipline). The package included a round-trip cable car ticket uphill, which was thoughtful, but it was incredibly crowded today. We queued for almost an hour, put on the ropes, and when it was our turn, we were told we couldn't wear glasses! My heart sank. But the ride itself was still exhilarating, and we were even able to ride back up – excellent value for money!
Afterwards, we went sandboarding. No long queues! We found a less crowded, steep slope, sat firmly, gripped the board tightly, didn't brake, closed our eyes, and just went down. The sand was fine, the speed was fast, the wind was whistling, and landing with a mouthful of sand was still fun.
Finally, a reminder: bring plenty of water, wear sunscreen, and be careful as dust easily gets into your phone in the sand. Put it in a sealed bag, and wash your face in the Yellow River afterwards – perfect!
Tengger Desert
大叔的星辰大海！April 21, 2026
4.0
Lanzhou Old Street is quite close to the Yellow River Tower. We walked there after visiting the Yellow River Tower. The old street area isn't small, and it feels like a newly built commercial district. In the afternoon during the off-season, there were very few people. I wonder if it will be more crowded at night? The shops are mainly restaurants, plus souvenir shops. If you're passing by, you can check it out!
Lanzhou Old Street
KKKKKaren212October 6, 2026
5.0
This is a relatively off-the-beaten-path attraction, but it's definitely worth a visit. Located at the intersection of desert and grassland, the "Heavenly Horse Pastoral Song" show, though small in scale, allowed me to experience the carefree life of a nomadic people on horseback. At that moment, I felt a sense that the vast desert cannot nurture a narrow-minded soul.
I highly recommend the off-road vehicle experience. The 20-minute extreme off-road adventure in the desert takes you to a green oasis deep within the desert. Sitting down with a relaxing cup of coffee is an experience you can't have in the city.
Tonghu Grassland Tourist Areas
Jamie NingJuly 20, 2026
4.0
Before coming to Lanzhou, I had no idea what this bridge was like.
I arrived around 3 PM; the sun was still blazing, and the iron railings on the bridge felt hot to the touch. This iron bridge, built in 1909, spans the Yellow River, looking sturdy yet silent. Standing on the bridge, the Yellow River surged beneath my feet, carrying the scent of silt. Speedboats darted out from under the arches, splashing up waves, and children on the bank screamed excitedly—their jubilation was unstoppable.
I didn't rush up the mountain; instead, I found a seat at a teahouse under the bridge. I ordered a cup of "Sanpaotai" (a type of local tea), 15 yuan, with refills. The bamboo chair was a bit old, but just the right amount of comfortable. Several local old men around me were cracking sunflower seeds and playing chess, occasionally glancing up at the river and saying, "The water's risen again." That relaxed feeling is rare in tourist spots.
You absolutely must try the Sanpaotai at the teahouse. Don't rush; sit for at least half an hour, just gazing at the river and daydreaming—that's the real deal.
The cruise ticket is only a few dozen yuan, not expensive at all, and worth experiencing the view from under the bridge.
Speedboats and sheepskin rafts are available on the shore; thrill-seekers can give them a try.
Regarding photography: the "Zhongshan Bridge" stone monument on the south side of the bridge is a classic spot for photos.
Take your time; although the sun is strong 🌞, the river breeze is very pleasant.
Zhongshan Bridge
