Yinchuan has a temperate continental climate, lacking in rainfall but with plenty of sunshine. The notable climate feature is windy, dry and sandy. Yinchuan has the most sunshine in the whole country.
The average annual temperature is about 9 C (about 48 F). The temperature difference between day and night is quite large, nearly about 15 C (59 F), so warm clothes are indispensable in this city.
The spring is warm and the summer is short here. Late spring and early summer is a good time for travel, and the Flower Festival (May to June) is also held during this time. The rainy days mainly occur during June and September.
The best time to visit is from May to October.
Yinchuan Hedong Airport Airport Code: INC Lingwu City, 25 kilometers (16 miles) to the city center Hedong Airport has flights to over 20 cities by either direct flights, or connecting in Xian and Beijing. The terminal building covers a total area of 15,000 square meters (3.7 acres) and is well equipped with updated checking facilities and services such as, a medical center and restaurants supplying food of Hui Nationality.
Regular shuttle buses will take you to the airport from urban districts, the fee is about CNY15. It starts from the Century Building (at 24 Yuhuangge, Beijie) via the International Hotel (at 365 Beijing, Donglu), on to the Booking Office of China Air Express (at Minzu Beijie) and finally to the Civil Aviation Building (No. 87, Shengli Beijie). You can also take a taxi to the airport from the city zone which will cost you around CNY3
City Bus
There are more than 22 inner-city bus routes as well as several sight-seeing bus routes in Yinchuan. Yinchuan Western Tourist Route: South Gate - Western Xia Imperial Tombs - Western Film and TV City Yinchuan Eastern Tourist Route: South Gate - Jinshuiyuan Tourist Area - Western Xia Film and TV City - Shaquanzhai
Taxi
The basic fare for taxies in Yinchuan is CNY5 (within three kilometers) you pay an additional CNY1 or 1.2 per kilometer for further than three kilometers. Generally the taxi fee is within CNY 10 in the city zone, and the fare from the city center to the Railway Station is about CNY15.
Hui people are very good at singing and dancing. You can enjoy folk songs of strong northwest flavor called Huizu Hua'er. You can listen to melodious music played on a special instrument called a Kouxian in the local showplaces or recreation rooms. Additionally, you can attend wonderful performances every month on the 1st and 15th days of the lunar calendar at Haibao Pagoda.
When the lights are lit each evening, you can wander along Xinhua Jie, Jiefang Jie, and South Gate Square or have a taste of snacks at the night market in Zhongshan Beijie.
Yinchuan, also called Phoenix City, is the capital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. An ancient and well-known city in the west, it was once the capital of the Western Xia Dynasty. Today, Yinchuan is listed by the state as one of the 100 famous historical and cultural cities.
There are many historical and cultural sites in Yinchuan. It is the center of the Hui culture. The city also features a variety of unique Islamic architecture. Yinchuan's beautiful deserts, historical sites and local customs are the instrumental in making Yinchuan one of the most attractive places in China.
Yinchuan, one of China's famous historical and cultural cities, has a time-honored history and bestows upon the city an abundance of natural and cultural resources. Both its diverse beauty and multitude of historical sights make Yinchuan a memorable place to visit.
- The One Hundred and Eight Pagodas are located on the mountain slopes of the western bank of Qingtong Gorge in Qingtongxia City. The pagodas are arranged in an odd order, 12 rows from top to bottom in accordance with the topography, forming a huge equilateral triangle with 108 pagodas in all. Written articles were once unearthed from the foundations of the pagodas.
- Helan Mountain is in northwestern Yinchuan. The word "Helan" is Mongolian for "fine horses." Helan Mounain is over 6,561 feet above sea level with a peak 11,666 feet. It is an ideal summer resort for tourists.
- The International Yellow River Art Festival of Yinchuan is held in September.