Ningxia

Understand

Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, established in 1958, is bordered by Inner Mongolia to the north and west, Shaanxi to the east and Gansu to the south. Chinese provinces and regions has an explanation of the term "Autonomous Region". The region is mostly mountains and plains with little truly fertile land. Chinese Muslims, called the Hui, make up 1/3 of the population of the region. Around 1000 AD, the Tangut kingdom of Western Xia was centered in Ningxia, and often in conflict with the Song, Liao, and Jin dynasties. In 189 years the throne changed hands ten times. Eventually it was overrun by the Mongols and absorbed into the Chinese empire of its day. Marco Polo visited it at around that time.

Holidays

In addition to the nationwide public holidays observed throughout China, Ningxia also observes the two Muslim festivals of Eid al-Fitr (开斋节) and Eid al-Adha (古尔邦节) as public holidays.

Getting there

Yinchuan Hedong International Airport (INC IATA)

See

The Great Wall of China within Ningxia has the following wall sections:

The Eastern Ningxia Wall - Hongshan Castle and Water Cave Gully (Shui Dong Gou) The Northern Ningxia Wall - in the area of Helan Shan The Western Ningxia Wall - Zhenbeibu and Sanguankou

Drink & nightlife

One of the better cups of tea offered in this region is the "eight treasures tea" (八宝茶). It yields (not surprisingly) eight ingredients. Sugar lumps, wolfberries, tea leaves. Wine — Ningxia has emerged as China's top wine region, with local wines that can hold their own agains mid-ranged Western wines. If you are a wine connoisseur, a visit to one of Ningxia's wineries is a must.