Yinchuan is the captal of Ningxia Hui Automomous Region, which is located in northwest China along the upper and middle reaches of the Yellow River. The terrain of the Region is arid and in many parts mountainous, but the city of Yinchuan enjoys the shelter of the Helan Mountains to the west and access to the waters of the Yellow River, leading to its reputation as ''a land of fish and rice on the frontier''.

Yinchuan's population has a diverse mix of ethnicities, including Hui, Han, Manchu and Mongolian peoples. Hui are the largest population & make up over a quarter of the residents. Many of the traditional folk customs in Yinchuan comes from the Hui, who have maintained their culture in a variety of ways. Halal food is popular across the city, and comes prepared in a style unique to the Hui. Visitors should seek out local dishes such as Qingzhen Yanggaorou (steamed lamb), Shouzhua Yangrou (boiled mutton), Yangrou Paomo (a mutton and beef soup), and Xiangsuji (spicy crisp chicken). Gaiwancha tea has provided refreshment to locals & travelers alike for over a thousand years.

The landscape around Yinchuan is not to be missed. The arid semi-desert landscape offers many attractions, from bird watching at Sand Lake to the singing sand-dunes at Shapotou, from camel rides over golden sands to sightseeing at the West Xia Tombs. For visitors looking for greener scenery, Helan Mountain and Zhongshan Park are rewarding places to visit.

There are a number of buildings of religious significance: Nanguan Mosque and Najiahu Mosque are the most famous of the many Hui mosques in this area. West Xia Museum has many fine exhibits and displays including wood screen paintings from the Western Xia Empire. Even more ancient are the paintings and carvings on Helan Mountain which are estimated to be between 3,000 and 10,000 years old and have been listed as a UNESCO cultural site. There are over 60 sites in Yinchuan worth a look, including the Drum Tower, China Western Film Production Base in Haibao, the Chengtian Pagoda and the Jade Emperor Pavilion.

The famous 'Five Treasures' of Ningxia provide wonderful gifts and keepsakes. Licorice roots and black moss have been used in medicine for hundreds of years and are highly prized. Stones from the Helan Mountain known as ''Helan inkstones'' are pieces of deep purple or azure rock which make exceptionally high quality ink-stones for calligraphy. Tibetan lambskins are also a treasure of the area, as is the goji berry (often referred to as a wolfberry) which has recently found favor in the West as a ''superfood'': something the population of Yinchuan has known for years.

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