tell me about this trip
For those who like to travel, they often hear such a sentence on the Internet: "If you don't go to the Northwest, you don't know the greatness of the motherland; if you don't go to the Northwest, you don't know the beauty of the motherland." It can be seen that in the hearts of tourists, the beauty of the Northwest is in a very high position. However, although the northwest is beautiful, it is indeed far away, especially here in Xinjiang. The time and money spent on a round trip are not low, so I think the most suitable place for a two-day trip on weekends is still located in the inland northwest of my country. Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region]
Among the five northwestern provinces, Ningxia is definitely a very unique existence. On the one hand, it has the vastness of the Northwest, the desolation of the snow-capped mountains and the Gobi. Although it is surrounded by several large deserts, it has been "the south of the Yangtze River" since ancient times. It has a very beautiful ecological environment. The charm of Ningxia can only be understood when you go there in person~
Ningxia has a long history and is an important place of civilization in the Yellow River Basin. Looking at the whole territory of Ningxia, the tourism resources are also very rich. There are many natural scenery and cultural relics, and the unique natural features of Ningxia have also given birth to some very beautiful Self-driving roads, such as the popular "Zhongwei Highway 66" this year, are definitely worth making a special trip for a self-driving trip.
itinerary
The current mainstream tourist route in Ningxia is the "Yinchuan-Zhongwei" line. Relatively speaking, the gameplay is relatively fixed, so it can be completely completed in two days on weekends. Today, I will share with you my 2-day self-driving tour, which is convenient for us to compare these holidays. Few ordinary tourists come to travel, only need a weekend~
D1, Chengdu—Yinchuan—Zhongwei—Shapotou—Stargazing at Desert Camp
D2. Zhongwei—Yinchuan—Western Film City in the north of the town—Mutton Hall—Helan Mountain Rock Paintings
The above itinerary is just a reference for a self-driving tour. You can also adjust the itinerary according to the situation at that time after you come here. Fortunately, the transportation in Ningxia is very convenient, and you can go anywhere.
As the most well-constructed and developed self-driving travel route in Ningxia, the difficulty of self-driving travel from Yinchuan to Zhongwei is not high, and the distance between the two places is only more than 200 kilometers. Don't worry too much.
Of course, as a senior self-driving tour driver, even a two-day small tour on weekends will make adequate preparations, except for the above-mentioned cold-proof clothing, necessary drinking water, and mosquito repellent supplies needed for stargazing in the desert , a car with stable performance and high-quality appearance is also something that must be considered. After all, self-driving travel is not just from point A to point B. The driving pleasure along the way and the production of road blockbusters are what I value most. place.
After all, for an unattractive man like me, driving a good-looking fifth-generation Tucson L, and taking beautiful photos all the way, it is a matter of extra points in the circle, haha! This time I mentioned two cars, white and black, which color do you think is more handsome?
Thanks to the rapid development of self-driving tours in Ningxia in recent years, many car rental places can be found in Yinchuan, Zhongwei and other places. This time we are presenting the fifth-generation Tucson L in Yinchuan. Although this car is positioned as a "compact "Super City SUV", but it has the longest wheelbase of 2755mm in its class. It is very comfortable for four people and one car. The large trunk space can easily accommodate our many luggage, and the journey experience is excellent.
At the same time, this car adopts the latest generation of Smartstream power system. The Gamma II 1.5T-GDI engine equipped with it adopts the world's original CVVD continuously variable valve duration technology, with a maximum power of 200ps and a maximum torque of 253N m. You only need to refuel easily, and the driving experience is top-notch in its class.
Moreover, as a standard "working class", during the self-driving tour, he is also more concerned about fuel consumption. After the personal experience of this two-day self-driving tour, with such a strong power, this Beijing Hyundai is the fifth The fuel consumption per 100 kilometers of Daitu Sheng L is only 6.0L, which is indeed very economical, so here is a strong Amway wave.
First stop: Shapotou, the golden pearl on the edge of the Yellow River
The last time I came to Shapotou was when I graduated from university in 2017. I didn’t expect that it had been four years since I came here. I will still be shocked by the scenery of Shapotou when I visit the old place again. As a representative scenic spot of Zhongwei and even the whole Ningxia, this The desert scenery on the edge of the Yellow River is really super beautiful.
Today's Shapotou Scenic Area has entered the hinterland of the Tengger Desert a lot. When you come to play, you can walk into the hinterland of the desert to experience the infinite charm of the Tengger Desert.
Of course, the convenience of self-driving travel is fully reflected at this moment. This time, I drove the car directly to the other side of Shapotou, which is the place [Gate of Time and Space] in Shapotou that usually needs to be reached by ferry. , There is a desert road here that can be compared to Internet celebrity Highway 66. Parking the car here to take a road blockbuster is really super beautiful.
Moreover, since the vast majority of tourists enter Shapotou from the main entrance, there are fewer people and cars here, so you can take better pictures when taking pictures!
After talking about the way to the scenic spot, let’s talk about the traffic in the Shapotou scenic spot. As an old-fashioned popular scenic spot, the construction of various facilities in Shapotou is indeed very diverse, and there are several options for transportation. When you come in, take an assault boat from the main entrance to the desert. When you return, you can experience the authentic sheepskin raft to drift back along the Yellow River.
The sheepskin raft is a special means of transportation on the Yellow River. It is amazing that it can withstand a ton of weight despite a few bags made of sheepskin. Sitting on it is also very stable, and the boatman will sing the Yellow River folk songs to you, which is definitely an unforgettable experience.
After entering the scenic spot, there is also a cable car to the high point, and then the bus is sent to the core area of the desert. In the core area of the desert, you can choose the same model as Dubai to experience the speed and passion, or you can choose to take a camel to enjoy the scenery slowly.
Of course, both sand washing and camel riding are dangerous activities. After all, a camel stands nearly two meters high. Everyone should make preparations according to the regulations of the scenic spot and not be too careless. But the camels in the scenic area are also docile, as long as you don’t tease them, it’s still beautiful to touch your head and take pictures, hahaha!
It doesn't take much effort to walk down the whole journey. It is easy to enjoy the scenery and have fun. I like and recommend such a good place~
By the way, after you come in and get off the cableway, you must not rush to go deep into Tengger. At the highest point of Shapotou, facing the Xiangshan Mountain in the distance, you can see four scenery at a glance. Let’s keep it a secret here. , let everyone discover the four hidden scenes in the picture below!
Precautions: 1. The sun in the desert is very hot, so you must take good sun protection when you come here. Whether it is sunscreen or an umbrella, you must always protect yourself, otherwise your skin may be directly sunburned.
2. Sand can be said to be a natural "camera killer". When you bring your camera to take pictures, you should pay attention to flying sand, especially when changing the lens.
3. Remember to replenish water in time in the high temperature of the desert, but it is best not to drink big gulps, but to drink small sips of water many times.
The second stop, stargazing in the desert, a romantic trip across two provinces in one day
I had so much fun in Shapotou, it was already evening after I came out, because today's itinerary was to go to the desert camp to watch the stars and eat desert barbecue, so I didn't delay too much in Zhongwei City.
In fact, this "desert camp" already belongs to the scope of Inner Mongolia. Because it is relatively close to Zhongwei, it has now become one of the travel routes in Zhongwei. It can be regarded as a way of "crossing two provinces in one day". However, there will be a section of "washboard road" at the end, which has relatively high requirements for drivers and vehicles. Fortunately, the SUV I drove this time, plus the high ground clearance of Tucson L, R19 wheels and 4WD The system is also very practical, and even the road through the desert to the camp is very smooth.
By the way, if you come to play by yourself, you can also take a taxi in Zhongwei City, and there will be a large truck from the camp to pull you there when you arrive at the mouth of the desert.
The desert camp covers a large area, tents are set up in the valley between two sand dunes, and there are many entertainment projects around the accommodation area, such as sandboarding, camels, desert swings, etc., because it was already dark when I arrived , so I didn’t go to play these projects, but the Internet celebrity dining table in the camp is really beautiful, and it’s a blockbuster if you take it casually. Little fairies who like to take beautiful photos must not miss it.
The dinner in the desert camp is mainly barbecue, and there will be four cold dishes on each table before the official serving. If you come alone, you have to share the table with others.
But everyone is more excited when they come out to play, and there are Mongolian singers on site to bring the atmosphere, no matter whether they know each other or not, they can quickly cheer up.
I have to praise the kebab here, it is really on time, basically it belongs to the level of eating up a handful immediately. The climax of the whole dinner was when the roasted whole lamb was served. Three roasted whole lambs were served together. There was also a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a knife opening ceremony by the customer. It was very fun and enjoyable.
Delicious roasted whole lamb, dipped in chili powder is absolutely perfect, especially the crispy roasted sheepskin, I give it 10, I am not afraid of the boss's pride~
After eating and drinking enough, take another stargazing tour. After all, Tengger is one of the best stargazing spots in my country. It just so happens that Beijing Hyundai Tucson L organized a professional stargazing party this time, and Zhongwei’s The staff of the observatory gave professional explanations, and they really gained a lot, and they also learned more about the starry sky above their heads.
Note: 1. The temperature in the desert is low at night, so you must keep warm.
2. There are many mosquitoes in the desert, and it is also very necessary to prepare mosquito repellent supplies in advance.
The third stop, the childhood memories of the post-90s generation, West Film and Television City
Returning from Zhongwei to Yinchuan took the same path as when I came here, so I won’t repeat it here. After arriving at Yinchuan and getting off the expressway, the first stop was the West Film and Television City of Zhenbeibao. This is also the only place leading to the rock paintings of Helan Mountain. It just happened to be able to check in with the two characteristic scenic spots.
Back then, a "Journey to the West" made Ningxia [Zhenbeibao Western Film City] popular all over the country. Many people were moved by the love between Zhizunbao and Zixia in the play, and it also made this place a long-lasting Internet celebrity check-in land.
In fact, after you actually come to Zhenbeibao Western Film City, you will find that there is far more than a Westward Journey here. After entering from the main entrance, you will pass a long corridor, which shows the films shot here over the years. , along the way, I have seen dozens of them alone, which is worthy of being called "Hollywood in the Northwest".
[Zhenbeibao Western Movie City] does not occupy a large area, but there are many large and small scenic spots in it. The main way to play is to check in the scenic spots of various film and television dramas.
The most famous of them is the city gate, which is also the most classic scene in Westward Journey. You can prepare the same style of ancient costumes of Zixia or Zhizunbao in advance, and come here to record a good souvenir.
Of course, if there are other dramas you like, you can also look for the same shooting position in it. It is also great to leave a few classic photos in the past.
The fourth stop, the beautiful scenery is enough, and the food is also indispensable
When it comes to Ningxia cuisine, one cannot avoid mutton. Ningxia mutton is famous for its small smell, tender meat and good taste. "Eating mutton" is also a must-see item when traveling in Ningxia. And just across from the film and television city in the west of Zhenbeibao, there is a well-known local lamb restaurant [Mufu Fresh Lamb City].
Come here and order a pot of boiled mutton, a plate of hand-caught sheep, and a pot of haggis soup. It is really delicious. I especially want to praise the haggis soup. The haggis inside is simply superb. I have never eaten such a good one in other places. .
The fifth stop, rock paintings of Helan Mountain, a symbol of civilization that has traveled through the millennium
The majestic Helan Mountain is not only the natural barrier of Ningxia, but also the cultural place of the nomadic peoples in ancient China. Along the Helan Mountains all the way to the north, you will meet the historical sites, especially the [Helan Mountain Rock Painting] is a classic, definitely come to Yinchuan Even Ningxia's most worthy place to check in.
In a broad sense, the rock paintings of Helan Mountain are a very large area, distributed in an area of more than 30 kilometers long at the eastern foot of Helan Mountain; generally speaking, the rock paintings of Helan Mountain refer to [Helan Mountain Rock Painting Scenic Area], a national 4A-level tourist attraction .
As a national key protected cultural relic and a national scenic spot, Helan Mountain rock paintings have also been included in the "Fifty Places Most Worthy of Foreigners Checking in", which shows its high status.
Walking into the scenic spot, the first thing you see is the sculpture of the sun god paved on Central Avenue, which is also a representative of the rock paintings of Helan Mountain. You can see this symbol in many places in the scenic spot.
Of course, as the largest petroglyph museum in the world, there is more than one petroglyph in the Helan Mountain Rock Art Scenic Area. There are only 200 petroglyphs in 30 countries on five continents in the collection, and there are more than 800 meters in the ravine There are more than 6,000 petroglyphs on the rocky cliffs.
These petroglyphs record the realistic life pictures of ancient humans from 3,000 to 10,000 years ago, which can be called "alternative history books" and are also valuable cultural heritage.
In addition to the wonderful rock paintings, there is also a unique landscape in the scenic area, which is the elves jumping around on the high-altitude cliffs. They have a nice name called [rock sheep], although everyone knows the living environment of this kind of sheep It's on these rocks, but every time I see them jumping, I still get scared, haha!
After watching the petroglyphs, there is also a [Han Meilin Art Museum] at the exit, which exhibits many artworks. If you are interested, you can take a stroll inside. You can see a lot of things when you walk down the three floors.
Moreover, the appearance of the Han Meilin Art Museum is also very cool. It has won a design award before, and it is also a great experience to stand at the door and take pictures.
The sixth stop, the Millennium Helan Mountain, the majestic northern barrier Helan Mountain
After coming out of the Rock Painting Scenic Area, drive towards the urban area of Yinchuan, and you will pass the entrance of Helan Mountain. The scenery here is beautiful, and the road is also very beautiful. It is very good to stop and take pictures. After all, no tickets are charged!
Continue down and there are several forks that can drive into the Gobi Desert, but the road conditions are not very good, and it may be difficult for beginners.
Fortunately, the Tucson L I drove this time has 23 ADAS functions that focus on driving safety, as well as intelligent and mind-integrated safety systems, collision reminders and other functions. No matter the high-speed between Zhongwei Yinchuan or this section of wild road, there is no problem, very good ~
Tip: Here you can take photos with Helan Mountain as the background, and the results are great!
write at the end
Ningxia is indeed a very worthwhile place to visit. Whether it is the magnificent Tengger Desert or the mysterious Helan Mountain rock paintings, it can give me a reason to start immediately, not to mention the starry sky in the desert and delicious hand-caught lamb. ?
I have a hunch that I will come to Ningxia again soon, after all, I really like the landscape on this land~
