1. Mountain biking 

Ningxia offers the best locations for mountain biking enthusiasts. Pengyang County's Liupan Mountain has stunning terraced fields and relatively flat terrain, perfect for biking in April and May when the apricot blossoms bloom. The eastern slope of the Helan Mountain provides the challenge of the Gobi grassland, followed by a thrilling downhill route along a well-maintained clay road. Zhongwei’s No 66 Highway offers a unique experience, immersing riders in the desert and sands. Beginners can enjoy biking around the Mincui Lake Wetland. With excellent weather and infrastructure, Ningxia is the ideal destination for an exciting and adventurous trip.

2. Skiing and skating

There are currently 16 open winter sports venues in Ningxia, including 11 ski resorts and five ice skating rinks. The number of people participating in winter sports in the region exceeds 500,000 annually. In recent years, with the efforts of various parties, winter sports have become popular in Ningxia. Various scenic spots and ski resorts have launched winter sports projects, providing visitors with a unique experience of the charm of ice and snow. During winter, Yinchuan Lanshan Park Ski Resort and Mingcuihu Ski Resort attract a large number of visitors for skiing and ice skating. People of all ages can enjoy the fun of snowboarding, skiing, snow tubing, speed skating, and ice-carting, which is go-carting on ice.

Recommended ski resorts in Ningxia

Yuehai Ski Resort

Address: Yuehai Park, Mancheng North Street, Jinfeng District, Yinchuan

Mingcui Lake Four Seasons Ski Resort

Address: Mingcui Lake International Wetland Park, Zhangzheng Township, Xingqing District, Yinchuan

West Xia Style Ski Resort
Address: No 1496 Beijing West Road, Yinchuan

Yahao International Ski Resort

Address: Yuanxing Road, Jingyuan County, Guyuan

Liupanshan Ski Resort

Address: Zhougou Village, Liupanshan Town, Jingyuan County, Guyuan

3. Mountain hiking

The Helan Mountains in Ningxia are a great destination for those who love adventure and nature. Its winding Great Wall and diverse vegetation make it a place of infinite mystery and legend.

If you're interested in hiking, the Helan Mountains offers relatively gentle climbing routes that are rich in negative oxygen ions. Along the way, you can enjoy beautiful natural scenery, encounter various plant species, and even have close encounters with wild animals like mountain goats and blue grouse.

With an elevation of 2000-3000 meters, hiking on the Helan Mountains offers breathtaking views of primitive forests, vast meadows, the Helan Sea of Clouds, and the overlapping peaks of the mountain range. However, it's important to note that the temperature on the mountain is several degrees lower than in the city, and the wind can be strong. Make sure to prepare enough climbing equipment in advance to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

4. Off-road sports

Huke Park, located at the southern end of the Helan Mountains, is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts seeking thrilling adventures. The park offers a wide variety of activities, including off-road sports, mountain biking, mountaineering, hiking, off-road running, and camping.

One of the main attractions in Huke Park is "Huke Road", which has gained popularity in the off-road community. It started as a single four-wheel drive climbing route but has now expanded to include 41 routes. What makes the park and road unique is its combination of mountains, deserts, and sand dunes, creating an exciting environment for outdoor sports. The park unleashes a sense of exploration and adventure, pushing individuals to trust and rely on each other in extreme conditions. Furthermore, camping in Huke Park adds a touch of wilderness to the experience and has gained immense popularity among young people.

Self-driving in Shapotou

5. Hiking on sections of the Great Wall

Ningxia, known as the Great Wall Museum of China, is home to a dense collection of Great Wall remnants from various dynasties. With a total of 1,507 kilometers of remains, 1,038 kilometers of which still have visible wall structures, Ningxia offers plenty of hiking opportunities. Notable sections include the Northern Branch of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall, the Ming Dynasty and Sui Dynasty Great Wall in Yanchi, and the Qin Dynasty Great Wall from the Warring States period.

6. Outdoor rock climbing

Huoshizhai in Xiji county is the highest and most typical Danxia landform group in China. It offers breathtaking landscapes, including stone wall, peaks, and pillars, making it a perfect spot for outdoor rock climbing. The Lover's Valley within Huoshizhai is home to the first professional and classic outdoor climbing route in Ningxia. It caters to both young enthusiasts and professional climbers, with routes designed for leisure climbing and competitive events. Furthermore, Huoshizhai boasts three sports and fitness tourism routes suitable for professional athletes, young climbers, and outdoor sports enthusiasts. Notably, it is the only tourist attraction in Ningxia that possesses a national geopark, a national forest park, and a regional nature reserve.

There is a lesser-known alternative called Sikouzi southeast of Zhongwei. It is about an hour's drive from the city, and there are no other attractions along the way, so it is not frequently visited by tourists. However, Sikouzi offers a unique blend of natural and cultural landscapes, making it a worthwhile destination after visiting Shapotou.

One of the highlights of Sikouzi is its canyon mountains, which feature winding paths and layered stone walls, ideal settings for photography. The climbing area with its natural rock formations is particularly popular. Unlike artificial climbing walls, there are no handholds, making it a more challenging and exciting experience. The eastern part of Sikouzi is known for its gray mountain rocks, which showcase the typical karst landforms and bizarre rocks in the canyons, perfect for sightseeing and photography. The western part, on the other hand, boasts red mountain rocks and is famous for its Danxia landforms and cultural legends. This area is primarily dedicated to outdoor activities such as rock climbing.