Getting There
By Air
The primary airport serving the Ningxia region is Yinchuan Hedong International Airport. Direct international flights are limited, but the airport is well-served by carriers such as Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and Xiamen Air, which require travellers to transit in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Kunming.
From Yinchuan Hedong International Airport, downtown Yinchuan, Ningxia’s capital, is just 35km away, about a 40-minute drive.
By Land
Yinchuan Railway Station, 5km west of downtown Yinchuan, is the primary railway hub in the province. High-speed bullet trains connect Yinchuan with Xi’an (3–4 hours), Beijing (6–11 hours), and Shanghai (11–12 hours).
Getting Around
The most convenient way to get around Ningxia is the ride-hailing app DiDi, which offers private cars, taxis, and ride-sharing. The app is available in English and supports international bank cards for foreign visitors. Most wineries are within a 1–2 hour drive from downtown Yinchuan and easily accessible by car.
Staying in Yinchuan
As the capital of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Yinchuan offers plenty of accommodation, from grand international brands to homegrown chains. Some recommendations:
- $$$: JW Marriott Hotel Yinchuan; Kempinski Hotel Yinchuan
- $$: Hampton by Hilton Yinchuan Glorious Center; Novotel Yinchuan Huirong
- $: Yinchuan Drum Tower Yuhuangge North Street Atour Hotel; Ibis Styles Hotel
Places to Eat & Drink
These are local favourites with Chinese-only names. The easiest way to find them: paste the Chinese name into Amap (高德地图), Baidu Maps or Dianping, or simply show the characters to your DiDi driver.
Cafes
- Huācāng Coffee (Xiang'an Alley) (花仓咖啡（祥安巷店）) · a cosy local coffee spot · find on Amap
- Chūnshù Coffee (椿树咖啡) · neighbourhood cafe for a caffeine fix · find on Amap
Eateries & Restaurants
- Ma Wei Hand-Grabbed Lamb (马伟盐池摊羊手抓) · Ningxia's signature Yanchi-style hand-grabbed lamb (shǒuzhuā yángròu) · find on Amap
- Yisheng Hand-Grabbed Lamb (伊盛手抓) · more of the region's famous tender lamb · find on Amap
- Zhong A Lan Beef Noodles (中阿兰牛肉面) · hearty local beef-noodle soup · find on Amap
Travel Advisory
Visas & Insurance
Ensure you have the necessary visa for China. Many nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival or apply for an e-visa. Singaporeans visiting China as tourists are granted visa-free entry for up to 30 days. Please also ensure you have adequate travel insurance.
Weather
Early September in Ningxia is widely considered the best time of year to visit: crisp, dry and sunny, with daytime highs around 25°C and cool, comfortable nights dropping to about 12°C. Bring warm clothing that can be layered on as a precaution. Sunscreen and sunglasses are highly recommended against the dry climate and strong sun.
Packing Suggestions
On top of layerable warm clothing, we’d advise sensible walking shoes; some common medication such as pain-relievers, antacids, and antivirals (a pharmacy may not be close by outside the cities); and travel adapters, as China uses Type A, Type C, and Type I sockets.
Note: all power banks carried on flights into, within, or departing from China must have the China Compulsory Certification (3C/CCC) mark clearly printed, or they will be confiscated.
Internet Connectivity
It’s advisable to buy data roaming from your telco or a China-specific travel eSIM for uncensored internet access. Wi-Fi is available at all the hotels we’re staying at, but thanks to the Great Firewall, foreign sites and apps like Google, Instagram, and WhatsApp are only accessible via a VPN when using hotel Wi-Fi or a local Chinese SIM.
Payment Methods
The most common payment methods in China are mobile payments, primarily Alipay and WeChat Pay, QR-code systems used almost everywhere, from street vendors to large stores. UnionPay is also widely accepted via card and app. That said, it wouldn’t hurt to carry some RMB in cash.