Things to do in Pingluo
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Top 10 attractions in Pingluo
Sand Lake
Shahu Lake is located approximately 50 km northwest of Yinchuan in Ningxia Province. The lake is surrounded by stunning desert scenery. Located in the northern part of the visitor site, the lake is known for its clear blue water and reed beds. A boat trip to the southern part of the lake offers a spectacular view over the surrounding sand dunes. The lake offers excellent birdwatching opportunities – it is a natural breeding ground for a number of bird species including the Chinese spot-billed duck, the red-crested pochard, and the gray heron. Shahu Lake is also home to many migrating birds, which visit the lake from April-May and September-October.Pingluo · 18.7 km from downtown
Shahu Scenic Area - Loulan Ancient City
Pingluo · 19.6 km from downtown
Helan Mountain Rock Painting
Helan Mountain Rock Painting Scenic Area is a national key cultural relic protection unit and a national 4A-level tourist attraction. It is known as the "history book in stone", "prehistoric human art gallery" and "the place where Chinese culture traces its origins". The Yinchuan World Rock Art Museum in the scenic area displays representative rock art from more than 60 countries and regions in the world, covering the latest results and information of current rock art research. There are 6,000 prehistoric rock paintings between 3,000 and 10,000 years old in the rock art site area. They are renowned in the international rock art community for their large number, rich content, wide range of themes, and rarity in the world. Yinchuan Han Meilin Art Museum collects and exhibits more than 1,000 works inspired by and based on Helan Mountain rock paintings by Mr. Han Meilin, showing the fusion of ancient and modern. After years of protective development, the scenic spot has become a comprehensive tourist attraction integrating exhibitions, science education, research and exchanges, artistic creation, leisure vacations and other functions.Helan · 47.1 km from Pingluo
China West Film Studio
Zhenbeibao Western Cinema is located in Xixia District, Yinchuan City. In this studio, which is characterized by simplicity, roughness and desolation, classic films such as "Wrangler", "Red Sorghum", "Journey to the West", "Thorn Mausoleum", "Jin Yiwei" and hundreds of influential film and television films were filmed. In the remaining part, a large number of celebrities from the Chinese film industry have left their footprints here, such as Gong Li, Jiang Wen, Zhang Yimou, Ge You, Zhou Xingchi, Donnie Yen and so on. The cinema consists of three parts: Mingcheng, Qingcheng and Old Yinchuan Street. Tourists can visit the cinema along the "figure 8" route of Old Yinchuan Street. Here, you can see the appearance of Yinchuan in the first half of the 20th century, and eat local traditional snacks such as mutton soup. The Ming and Qing cities in the film city were rebuilt from the military castles left over from the Ming and Qing dynasties. In the Ming and Qing cities, you can see many familiar movie scenes, such as: the gate tower where Sun Wukong and Fairy Zixia are standing in "Journey to the West", the throne of the Bull Demon King, the torture platform of the Tang monk; and the movie "Journey to the West" The Moon Gate in "Red Sorghum", the winemaking workshop where "My Grandpa" urinated after being drunk, the sedan chair that Jiu'er took when he got married, the big vat for wine, and the bowls. There are costumes and props for rent in many places in the studio. Here, you can wear a set of costumes in the play, use the props in the movie, and walk around the scenes of the movie to live the addiction of being a star. Before going to Zhenbeibao Western Studios, you can revisit a few classic movies first, and then go to visit, you will have a different feeling.Yinchuan · 51.3 km from Pingluo
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.Yinchuan · 53.8 km from Pingluo
Xinghai Lake
Xinghai Lake is located in the east of Dawukou District, with Shanshui Avenue passing through the lake. The total area is 43 square kilometers, and the lake area is more than 20 square kilometers. It used to be the ancient sand lake site in the Ming Dynasty, which was originally a wetland on the edge of the city. The people have transformed a piece of mud into a lake with rippling blue waves and flying birds. The scenic spot consists of six scenic spots with their own characteristics: Song of Birds, Golden Western Regions, Nansha Sea, Hexiang Valley, Crescent Moon Sea and Bailuzhou. Here, the sea gulls flock together, the wild ducks are in flocks, there are many kinds, the reeds are green, the rushes are connected with lotus, and the clear waves are quiet.Shizuishan · 13.1 km from Pingluo
Huangshagudu Tourism Scenic Spot
Huangsha Ancient Ferry is a pristine ecotourism destination in the frontier region and one of Ningxia's 21 iconic views. Named after the yellow sands on the right bank of this Ming Dynasty crossing, it ranks among Ningxia's eight celebrated landscapes from the Ming-Qing period alongside "Helan Mountain's Clear Snow" and "Moon Lake's Sunset Glow." Since the Wei-Jin Southern-Northern Dynasties era, this site served as a crucial Yellow River transportation hub. The Tang Dynasty established the Liucheng Water Transport Office to specifically manage river shipping across Ningxia and Inner Mongolia. Zhu Fan, Prince Qing and son of Ming Emperor Hongwu, immortalized the ferry in his poem: "Boundless yellow sands stretch afar, where travelers seek passage year after year. Distant tribes pay homage to the imperial court, while officials connect with ancient Qin's domain. Breezes ripple the shoals' shimmering waters, rains refresh the islets' verdant hues. Westward gaze traces the river's celestial source - turbulent flows descending from Kunlun's peaks." The verses not only praise the natural beauty but also underscore Huangsha Ancient Ferry's vital historical role in regional transportation. Huangsha Ancient Ferry is located in Yueyahu Township, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, on the eastern bank of the Yellow River. It is 28 km from downtown Yinchuan, 38 km from Yinchuan Hedong Airport, and 43 km from Yinchuan Railway Station. The attraction spans 32.4 square km. Here, you can visit the ancient ferry crossing where Emperor Kangxi crossed the Yellow River, explore Yueyahu Lake left behind by Wang Zhaojun's journey to the frontier, and immerse yourself in the desert scenery, ancient Yellow River charm, natural wetlands, and the unique frontier landscape of golden sands embracing the mighty river—a perfect destination for eco-friendly independent travel. Experience camel rides across the dunes, rafting on inflatable rafts, surfing the sandy waves, and wetland sightseeing for endless exhilarating fun. The Yellow River Ancient Ferry Museum and Folk Culture Museum offer insights into the region's heritage, allowing you to connect with this millennia-old crossing. Huangsha Ancient Ferry consists of eight distinct zones: functional service area, desertification control promotion and testing area, ecological civilization exhibition area, Yellow River wetland conservation area, desert amusement valley, Yellow River ancient ferry cultural area, frontier fortress experience zone, and folk culture park. We've meticulously preserved the site's historical legacy by restoring numerous landmarks including Huanglong Terrace, Huangsha Point, Ninghe Terrace, Yuwang Pavilion, Sunrise Viewing Platform, Yuwang Well, Huanglong River Guardian, ancient ferry port, Yellow River fishing village, Yellow River ancient town, ferry family residences, Yellow River Tower at Huangsha Ancient Ferry, Hunhuai Barrier, Reed Marsh Snowscape, Yellow River homesteads, ancient ferry crossing, Yellow River hamlet, desert smoke with sunset over the Yellow River, beacon tower, Hengcheng Ancient Ferry, Hengcheng Fort river crossing, Prince Zhu Di's border patrol, Emperor Kangxi's Yellow River crossing, ancient Yellow River melodies, the Princess Zhaojun Peace Marriage Monument, and other heritage sites. We've also reconstructed the desert camel camp, northern desert military base, old sheep pens along the Yellow River banks, ancient Yellow River course, frontier pasturelands, and sand control family compounds.Yinchuan · 39.3 km from Pingluo
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.Yinchuan · 71.2 km from Pingluo
Shapotou Scenic Area
The scenic spot is located 16 kilometers west of Zhongwei City, Ningxia, on the southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert. The scenic spot has successively won honors such as "the first batch of national 5A-level tourist attractions", "the top 500 global environmental protection units", and "the first batch of national tourism standardization demonstration units". The three major cultural elements of the scenic area include the "Yellow River Culture" based on the intangible cultural heritage sheepskin rafts, the "Desert Culture" based on straw grids and Desert Legend Park, and the "Starry Sky Culture" based on the Desert Star Hotel. The tourism resources of these three elements have created a unique and magnificent landscape of "sunset over the long river and starry sky in the desert". The "six major ways to play" are highly praised and loved by tourists. Among them, the Yellow River projects include sheepskin rafting, Huangtengda, Yellow River speedboat, drift boat, passionate sandboarding and high-altitude bungee jumping, etc. The desert projects include Desert Camel, Desert Flying (Stepping into the Blue Clouds), and Sand Sea. Surfing, etc., starry sky projects include stargazing lectures, meteor feasts, sand therapy experiences, star cakes and other special products. In addition, there are also privately customized products for hiking, desert expansion, and educational and entertaining study experiences. The scenic area not only has diverse cultural elements and fun project experiences, but also multi-level accommodation experiences waiting for you: the butler-style Diamond Hotel, the quiet Desert Star Hotel for stargazing, the quiet Yellow River Courtyard in the bustling city, and finally the economical and affordable business-style Tourist Service Center Hotel and other differentiated tourist accommodations for you to choose from.China · Zhongwei
Ning Xia Helan Mountain National Forest Park
Helan Mountain National Forest Park, located about 50 kilometers west of Yinchuan city, has rich natural landscapes and unique cultural landscapes. The Attraction is full of layers of forests, with towering natural trees such as Chinese pine, juniper, and spruce. Visitors here can not only enjoy the charming night and sunrise of Helan Mountain, but also have the opportunity to see running red deer, jumping blue sheep, playing blue pheasants and other important national protected wild animals. After entering the Attraction, you will see the welcoming area of the Attraction, where there is a visitor center and a museum. You can choose to take the sightseeing bus in the Attraction to Songtao Mountain Villa and start climbing from here (you can also take the cable car up the mountain). Generally, you can walk to Qingsongling in about 40 minutes. After walking in the canyon for about an hour, you can reach the highway, wait for the sightseeing bus, and return to the gate of the Attraction. The Attraction is rich in historical and cultural connotations. Religious culture, Xixia culture, rock painting culture, etc. blend here, giving the Helan Mountain National Forest Park rich historical and cultural connotations. The "Sanqing Temple", "Lingguang Temple", "Lingguang Tower", "Lingguang Cave" and other buildings restored on the ruins of the ancient Xixia temple recreate the long history of Buddhist and Taoist culture; the rich Helan Mountain Museum is a microcosm of the Helan Mountain culture, consisting of the Rock Sheep Special Hall, Helan Mountain Landform Sand Table, History and Culture Hall, Mineral Resources and Environment Hall, and other venues. The Attraction is very large. When visiting, you should follow the schematic diagram or signboards in the Attraction. Do not go to remote places alone. There is no mobile phone signal in many areas of the Attraction. If you want to hike in the wild, you must join a local outdoor team.Helan · 54.1 km from Pingluo
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More things to do
Free things to do in Pingluo
Xinghai Lake
Shizuishan · 13.1 km from Pingluo
Yinchuan Lanshan Park
Yinchuan · 50.3 km from Pingluo
Shuidonggou Tourist Attraction
Lingwu · 68.9 km from Pingluo
Shizuishan Museum
Shizuishan · 15.6 km from Pingluo
Wuhai Lake Leisure Resort Tourist Area
Wuhai · 85.9 km from Pingluo
Tengger Desert
China · Alxa Left Banner
Tengger Desert
China · Zhongwei
Kangbashi Natural Museum
China · Ordos
Shahu Ancient Town
Shizuishan · 13.8 km from Pingluo
Laseng Temple
Wuhai · 53.4 km from Pingluo
What travelers say about Pingluo
Anonymous userOctober 8, 2026
5.0
The direct shuttle bus between Yinchuan and Shahu Lake is incredibly convenient! Multiple pick-up points in the city, scheduled departures, and a direct route to the scenic area. Clean vehicles, steady driving, pure sightseeing with no shopping stops or hidden costs. Includes boat ticket. Return trip at 4:30 PM during the National Day holiday. Reasonable travel time and affordable price.
Sand Lake
爱旅游的【楠】November 4, 2024
5.0
It's worth going to see the ancient city of Loulan that has been completely preserved in the desert!
Shahu Scenic Area - Loulan Ancient City
M41***34October 19, 2026
4.0
The scenic area is quite large, but its main attraction is rather singular: the various rock paintings carved into the cliff faces. However, since they are remnants of the daily lives of ancient people, they are still worth seeing.
Helan Mountain Rock Painting
子秋璟雯October 20, 2026
4.0
A film and television base. Many films and television dramas are filmed here. Most of the paths in the park are gravel dirt roads, so it's recommended to wear thick hiking shoes, otherwise your feet will protest. Overall, it's quite nice and worth a visit.
China West Film Studio
M62***79October 20, 2026
5.0
The building is grand and the facilities are good, but the introduction of the value of key cultural relics needs improvement. The museum should strive to leave a deeper impression on visitors.
Ningxia Museum
M22***22May 4, 2022
5.0
Xinghai Lake is located in the eastern part of Dawukou District, Shizuishan City. The Shanshui Avenue passes through the lake, with a total area of 43 square kilometers and a lake area of more than 20 square kilometers. The scenic area consists of six distinctive scenic spots: Hundred Birds Singing, Golden Western Region, Nansha Sea, Crane Valley, Crescent Sea, and Egret Island.
Xinghai Lake
Anonymous userOctober 6, 2026
5.0
The scenery here exceeded my expectations; the environment was clean and comfortable, making for a particularly pleasant stroll. The facilities are excellent, the routes are well-defined, and the photos turn out beautifully – a great place to visit and take some time to explore.
Huangshagudu Tourism Scenic Spot
淘淘0728October 22, 2026
5.0
It's definitely worth a visit. First of all, the corridor outside the museum is incredibly photogenic. Personally, I think visiting Tomb No. 3 is enough; the others are pretty much the same. The museum itself is worth a visit, and a guided tour is even better, providing a more direct understanding of Western Xia culture and interesting anecdotes.
Xixia Imperial Tombs
xiayutian198October 23, 2026
5.0
Shapotou Scenic Area is perfect for bringing kids! On the sheepskin rafts, boats number 22 and 23 were rowed smoothly, with the boatmen singing local folk songs for us.
The food prices within the scenic area are surprisingly reasonable – delicious and affordable, a rare find indeed. A bowl of beef noodles was 18 yuan, and noodles with minced meat sauce were 12 yuan. Water and grilled sausages were also reasonably priced. I would definitely come back again.
Shapotou Scenic Area
M34***87September 27, 2026
5.0
Helan Mountain National Forest Park primarily offers a close-up view of the Helan Mountains. The mountain has relatively low vegetation cover and is mainly composed of rocks. You need to take a shuttle bus to the foot of the mountain, and then choose to take a cable car or hike to the summit (approximately 20-40 minutes). There are many snacks available on the mountain, as well as spectacular high-altitude acrobatic performances. Along the way, you can also spot wild animals such as blue sheep.
Ning Xia Helan Mountain National Forest Park
