Stand on the western bank of the Yellow River at Shizuishan and the Ordos Desert lies across the water, with the Helan Mountain range rising behind the city. This is the northernmost prefecture in Ningxia, a place that grew up as a caravan stop on the northern routes to and from Beijing and later became a mining town.
Shizuishan suits travellers who are already in Ningxia and want a day or two of desert, water and rock art rather than a full city break. The sights are spread out and the climate is a cool arid one, with freezing, very dry winters and warm, somewhat wetter summers, so plan around the season.
This guide covers the main places to see in and around the city, plus how to string them together if you only have one day.
Top things to do in Shizuishan
1. Shahu Lake
Shahu Lake combines a lake, islands, marshlands and an island of sand. The reed marshes around the lake are habitats for a very large number of birds, including swans and red-crested cranes, and the sand island holds attractions such as camel riding, sand skiing, a chairlift up a sand dune, hot air balloon rides, jet skis, a salamander petting zoo, museums and a room that simulates rain.
Entry is ¥120 including the large, slow boat to the main sand island, and there is a bewildering array of other ticket options; individual attractions on the island are some free and some from ¥30 up to ¥150 or more. The overbuilt parts are readily escaped, so give yourself time to walk away from the crowds.
2. Helan Mountain Rock Paintings
The Helan Mountain Rock Paintings are one of China's most significant ancient rock art sites, found in the Helan Mountain range. They reflect ancient grassland culture and religious beliefs, and draw both tourists and archaeologists.
Because the paintings sit in the mountain range rather than in the city, treat this as a half-day outing and combine it with the rest of your mountain-side plans rather than squeezing it between two urban stops.
3. Shizuishan Museum
The Shizuishan Museum on 32 Wenchang Road in Dawukou District showcases the history, culture and natural heritage of the Ningxia region, with ancient artifacts, fossils and artworks.
It is the most straightforward place to learn about local history and culture, and it works well as a first stop so that the landscape and the rock paintings make more sense afterwards.
4. Shizuishan Yellow River Grand Canyon
The Shizuishan Yellow River Grand Canyon lies near the city in the Yellow River basin, a scenic spot along the river with fast-flowing water and steep rock cliffs.
It is an ideal location for hiking and photography, so bring shoes you can walk in and plan to spend your time on foot rather than viewing from a single point.
5. Longquan Temple
Longquan Temple in Huihong District is a Buddhist temple with a deep religious and historical background, featuring grand architecture.
It is an important pilgrimage site for local devotees and tourists alike, so dress and behave accordingly and expect the atmosphere to be one of worship rather than sightseeing.
6. Time your visit to a traditional festival
The traditional festivals in Shizuishan are closely linked to the folk culture of Ningxia. Chinese New Year brings family reunions, ancestral worship, spring couplets, fireworks and temple fairs, with dragon and lion dances and folk performances, and dumplings and fish at family dinners.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is marked by mooncakes, moon gazing, lantern exhibitions and folk performances, while Tomb Sweeping Day is a time for visiting graves and for outings in the open air. The Double Ninth Festival is a day to honour the elderly, with mountain climbing and chrysanthemum appreciation, and the Dragon Boat Festival brings dragon boat races, zongzi and the hanging of mugwort and calamus. If your dates are flexible, build the trip around one of these.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at the Shizuishan Museum on Wenchang Road in Dawukou District to get your bearings on the region's history and culture, then head out to the Helan Mountain Rock Paintings in the Helan Mountain range while the light is still good.
Afternoon: Give the middle of the day to Shahu Lake. Take the large, slow boat across to the sand island and use the time there for the desert and the reed marshes, choosing only the island attractions you actually want rather than trying to cover them all.
Evening: Finish along the water at the Shizuishan Yellow River Grand Canyon, where the fast-flowing river and steep cliffs are the reward for a day that has moved from museum to mountain to lake to river.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time of year to visit Shizuishan?
Shizuishan has a cool arid climate with freezing, very dry winters and very warm to hot, somewhat wetter summers. Choose according to whether you prefer cold and dry or warm with more rain, and check the festival calendar if you want to catch Chinese New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival, Tomb Sweeping Day, the Double Ninth Festival or the Dragon Boat Festival.
How much does Shahu Lake cost?
Entry is ¥120 and includes the large, slow boat to the main sand island. Beyond that there are many other ticket options, and the attractions on the island range from free to ¥30 up to ¥150 or more, so decide what you want to do before you buy.
What can I see in Shizuishan if it rains?
The Shizuishan Museum is the obvious indoor option, with ancient artifacts, fossils and artworks covering the history, culture and natural heritage of the Ningxia region. Shahu Lake also has museums and a room that simulates rain among its island attractions.
Is Shizuishan a good base for hiking and photography?
Yes. The Shizuishan Yellow River Grand Canyon, with its fast-flowing water and steep rock cliffs, is described as an ideal location for hiking and photography, and the Helan Mountain Rock Paintings in the Helan Mountain range reward a longer walk in the mountains.
Decide which season and which festival you want, then start mapping the museum, the mountains, the lake and the river into your days.