Chinese Name: 石嘴山市 (shí zuǐ shān shì)

Population: 732,000 

Area: 5,310 square kilometers (2,050 square miles) 

Nationalities: Han, Hui 

Administrative Division: 2 districts (Dawukou, Huinong); 1 county (Pingluo)

Useful Telephone Numbers: Tourist Complaints: 0952-2039375
Weather Forecast: 121
Zip Code Inquiry: 184
Bank of China: 0952-2013452

Location: Situated in northern Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Shizuishan City neighbors Yinchuan in the south and Inner Mongolia in the north with the Yellow River flowing along its east side.

History: In the distant past, the ancients in this area used to live by hunting but then developed a wonderful pastoral civilization. In the Qin Dynasty (221BC-206BC), towns began to appear. The city was formerly called Shizuizi, and Shizuishan was named from the rocks where the Helan Mountains meets the Yellow River in the territory because they are in the shapes of projecting mouths.

Physical Features: Lying on the east of the Helan Mountains, the city is in the middle reaches of the Yellow River. It neighbors the Ordos Terrace in the east and Yinchuan Plain in the west. Therefore, mountain area, alluvial plain and terrace constitute the main landforms of the city.

Climate: Enjoying a temperate continental climate, Shizuishan is rich in sunshine. Summer is hot and short, while the winter is chilly and long. The weather is relatively dry all the year round, and the temperature varies greatly between day and night.
When to Go: September to October

Special Local Products: medlar, licorice root, Helan stone, lamb skin    

 Attractions:
Shahu Scenic Resort: 56 kilometers (35 miles) north of Yinchuan, the scenic area is a famous attraction combining South China water towns and desert landscape. The Sand Lake is a paradise of birds and fish. 

Helan Mountain: From early times, it is where ancient northern minorities lived, multiplied and worked. They have chiseled the scenes of their living and production on rocks in Helan Mountain, which reproduces their social customs and life interests. Along the 124 miles long Helan Mountain interior place, covering over ten hill mouths ranging from north to south, there are over 20 groups of rock paintings which embrace over 10,000 paintings. They are said to be the masterpieces of Qiangrong, Xianbei, Xiongnu, Yuezhi and other minority groups who created them during Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC-476 BC) to West Xia Dynasty (1038-1227).

The rock paintings are a true record of production development at a particular time. They reproduce the life scenes of ancient people such as livestock farming, war, entertainment, sacrifice and hunting. The animal patterns and abstraction symbol reveals the cultural connotation of nature worship, totem worship and fertility worship. The human figure images are simple and bizarre. Some wear cocked hats, some are stuck with feathers on the head, some wear headgears and some wear hair buns. The animal figures are vivid and lifelike. There are running deer, galloping horse, dogs wagging tails, and the image of beasts such as the leopard has proved that the animal once lived in this place. 

The rock painting of Helan Mountain is the treasure house of researching Chinese culture history, primitive art history as well as religious history. Helan Mountain is a good place for sightseeing and seeking ancient mystery. 

Admission Fee:

CNY 40

Yuhuang Pavilion: Located in the county town of Pingluo, this historical relic, built in the Ming Dynasty, (1368-1644) is the largest Taoist site in Ningxia. During the fourth and fifth lunar months, an annual grand temple fair is held. 

Beiwudang National Park: Lying at the east foot of the Helan Mountains, this ecological tourist zone is made up of a forest park, the building complex of Beiwudang Temple, a geopark, valley and ancient tree fossils.

Travel Tips: Shizuishan is 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Xining, and 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the Yinchuan Hedong Airport. From the Dawukou Bus Station, there are many buses departing to Yinchuan every few minutes. In addition, buses to the Yinchuan Hedong Airport are also available here. Buses from Dawukou to the Sand Lake depart every an hour.