The Capital of the Western Xia Kingdom! 6 Recommended Tourist Spots in Yinchuan

Yinchuan, the capital of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, was once the capital of the fabled Western Xia Kingdom. Today, Yinchuan is governed by the Hui people (Muslims), and you can see Hui residents in their traditional headgear and mosques all around the city. However, the greatest tourist attraction in Yinchuan is the Western Xia Imperial Tombs, where the king of the Tangut nomads—who founded the Western Xia—Li Yuanhao, is interred.

The mysterious Western Xia script, seen on street corners throughout Yinchuan, is neither Chinese characters, Tibetan script, nor Mongolian script, but an exquisitely complex calligraphy that enchants visitors and transports them to an ancient kingdom.

Below, we introduce six tourist spots in Yinchuan that let you fully appreciate its charm.

1. Western Xia Imperial Tombs

The Western Xia Imperial Tombs are undoubtedly the top attraction for visitors to Yinchuan. This necropolis houses the tombs of successive Western Xia kings. Spread over a vast area of 58 square kilometers, there are nine royal tombs and numerous subsidiary burial mounds. Among them, the largest is that of Li Yuanhao, the founding father of the Western Xia.

Today, the tombs have weathered into pyramid-like shapes with rounded corners, though they were originally octagonal towers known as spirit platforms. After touring the royal tombs, you can visit the adjacent Western Xia Museum, where you’ll see scale models that recreate the royal tomb complex. Large reliefs and signboards engraved with Western Xia script are also among the highlights. Near the entrance, the souvenir shop sells seal impressions in the Western Xia style—a recommended memento!

The Western Xia Imperial Tombs are located about 25 km west of the city. Board the sightseeing bus “You Route 1” at Xinyue Square in the city, and get off at “Western Xia Imperial Tombs.”

2. Helan Mountain Rock Art

Helan Mountain Rock Art, another major tourist attraction alongside the Western Xia Imperial Tombs, consists of rock carvings painted on the walls of a gorge, dating back 10,000 years.
The carvings depict people, animals, and hunting scenes with lively, engraved lines. Though the style is simple, you can observe traces of the ancient nomads’ nature worship and ancestor worship.

Among the rock art, a particularly popular photographic spot for tourists is the image known as the “Sun God.” Be sure to seek it out!

Helan Mountain Rock Art is located approximately 40 km northwest of Yinchuan. From Xinyue Square in the city, board the sightseeing bus “You Route 2” and get off at “Helan Mountain Rock Art.”

3. Yinchuan Nanguan Grand Mosque

The Yinchuan Nanguan Grand Mosque is one of the largest mosques in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and serves as the center of activities for the local Muslim community.
The mosque’s white walls contrast beautifully with its green dome, making it highly visible from afar. Although it was originally built during the Ming Dynasty, it was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. The current building was rebuilt in 1981.

Inside the prayer hall, a beautiful carpet covers the floor, and the mosque can accommodate up to 1,300 worshipers at once. Non-Muslim tourists cannot enter the prayer hall but can admire the exterior.

Please be mindful not to disturb those who are praying.

4. Yinchuan Drum Tower

The Yinchuan Drum Tower is an iconic symbol of the city, located in the heart of the old downtown area. Tourists walking around the city will frequently pass by this spot.

The structure is 36 m tall and covers an area of 576 square meters. It consists of a three-story tower built on a stone base. Each of its four sides is inscribed with phrases: “Ying’en” on the east, “Laixun” on the south, “Yishuang” on the west, and “Gongji” on the north.

The Drum Tower was originally founded in 1821, and the current three-story section was built in 1908. During the First United Front in 1926, the Northeast Corner of the Drum Tower was used as an office by both the Ningxia branch of the Chinese Communist Party and the Kuomintang, giving it a reputation as a revolutionary monument.

Although visitors cannot enter the Drum Tower, it is particularly recommended to view it at night. When illuminated, the entire tower lights up, creating a magical sight amid the cityscape. Be sure to see its nighttime appearance as well as its daytime view!

5. Chengtian Temple

Chengtian Temple is an ancient Buddhist temple located in the southwest of the old downtown area of Yinchuan. It is both a sacred Buddhist site and a popular tourist attraction.

It was founded in 1050 during the Western Xia period. After the death of Li Yuanhao, the founder of Western Xia, his young heir ascended to the throne, and the empress dowager built Chengtian Temple and the pagoda to pray for his longevity and the stability of the Li family. Later, the temple was destroyed in an earthquake during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty and was rebuilt during the Jiaqing period (1820).

The pagoda is octagonal, consists of 11 stories, and is 64.5 m tall. It is the tallest brick pagoda in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Inside the pagoda, a very narrow spiral staircase leads upward. The stairway is only wide enough for one person, so when passing other visitors, you must step off to a landing and wait. At the very top, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Yinchuan, where modern skyscrapers and traditional buildings intermingle, revealing the development of the city.

6. Yinchuan Shopping Mall

Yinchuan Shopping Mall is the largest shopping center in Yinchuan and is always bustling with locals. In addition to clothing, towels, and cosmetics, you can also find unique fabrics and embroidered insoles. It is a worthwhile destination for tourists.

In the evening, while the stores inside the mall close, the surrounding streets transform into a night market! A multitude of inexpensive fashion items line the streets, and you may even find some hidden gems.

Yinchuan Shopping Mall is located at the end of Nanxun East Road in Xingqing District. If your sightseeing schedule allows, be sure to stop by.

◎ Summary

How did you find these tourist spots that evoke the history and culture of Yinchuan, once the capital of the Western Xia Kingdom? With a rich legacy that still endures in the city’s landmarks, Yinchuan offers a unique glimpse into an ancient kingdom.

Convenient access from Beijing—with 70 weekly flights connecting Beijing and Hedong Airport in Yinchuan—makes it easy to experience this living history firsthand. Be sure to visit and see the enduring heritage with your own eyes!

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The Capital of the Western Xia Kingdom! 6 Recommended Tourist Spots in Yinchuan