Few travelers in China stop over in Ningxia, central China's ancient Silk Road conduit. Those who do will discover a land of vibrant religion, ancient history and natural beauty.
Hui People
The Hui are an ethnic minority found throughout China, but concentrated in Ningxia and the surrounding regions. In fact, Ningxia is specifically set aside for members of this minority. Known for adherence to Islam, many Hui people are descendants of traders from Central Asia that settled in China during the Tang dynasty (AD 618 – 907). Ningxia is one of the best places to see Islam in China.
Though some Hui are not particularly devout, many others can often be seen attending prayer meetings at one of Ningxia’s many mosques or observing the call to prayer in a Ningxia town or city.
Along with the Hui culture comes various Muslim foods, including delicious and spicy pulled noodles (lamian) and hot lamb kebabs (yang rou chuan).
Silk Road Travel
The Silk Road is the traditional conduit through which ancient traders and pilgrims made their way between East and West. A vast network of roads, it stretched thousands of kilometers between the shores of the Mediterranean and the ancient Chinese capital of Xi’an. Ningxia lies between these two destinations and was the meeting place for many beliefs, cultures and ideas.
Islam is the most visible religion in Ningxia today, and many mosques can be found throughout the region. Visitors shouldn’t miss out on a trip to the famous the “Big Mosque of Ningxia” in the provincial capital, Yinchuan. Known in Chinese as the Ningxia Qingzhen Dasi, this beautiful structure is home to a huge prayer hall, fascinating architecture and even a school for learning Arabic.
Although now secondary to Islam, Buddhism continues to play a large role in Ningxia. Pre-Islam evidence of Buddhism can be seen in the Mount Sumeru Grottoes, dating back as early as the Wei Dynasty 1400 years ago. With over a hundred caves filled with statues, inscriptions and murals, these grottoes are a prime example of Buddhist culture in Western China. The grottoes were built over several time periods and various styles are reflected in the artifacts within.
Going back even earlier, lurking in the desert just outside of Yinchuan are the mysterious tombs built by the Western Xia kingdom, a once-powerful state ruled by the enigmatic Tangut people (AD 1038 – 1227). Now a monument to an ancient people, the tombs are the home to several kings and visitors are free to wander about outside and inspect the monuments.
At the Ningxia – Inner Mongolia border lies a crumbling section of the Great Wall. Dating from the Qin Dynasty (221 BCE - 206 BCE), it’s quite a different site from the newly restored wall outside of Beijing. It continues in both directions into the wilderness, and hikers should bring their own supplies, as there are no vendors in the desert!
Desert Tourism
One of the prime attractions that Ningxia holds for more adventurous travelers is the desert scenery that characterizes the region’s geography, including dunes worthy of the Sahara. Far from being an endless wasteland, Ningxia’s beautiful and enchanting deserts and isolated pockmarks of civilization are part of its appeal.
Hard-core outdoor enthusiasts might be interested in getting off the beaten path and enjoying more free-form exploration. Guides and transportation can be arranged at agencies and hotels in Yinchuan or other towns
