Yinchuan Attractions
Yinchuan lies in the north of the Autonomous Region of Ningxia.
Yinchuan was founded in the early 11th C. From 1038 to 1227 it served as the capital of the Western Xia kingdom. Under the Yuan, Ming and Qing (from the 13th to the early 20th C) it was of great political importance to the northwest of China. In 1958, when the Autonomous Region of Ningxia was formed to provide a home for the Hui ethnic group, Yinchuan was made its seat of government.
Today textiles, engineering and chemicals form the basis of the town's industry. Irrigation programs have made intensive farming possible in the surrounding country.
Yinchuan was founded in the early 11th C. From 1038 to 1227 it served as the capital of the Western Xia kingdom. Under the Yuan, Ming and Qing (from the 13th to the early 20th C) it was of great political importance to the northwest of China. In 1958, when the Autonomous Region of Ningxia was formed to provide a home for the Hui ethnic group, Yinchuan was made its seat of government.
Today textiles, engineering and chemicals form the basis of the town's industry. Irrigation programs have made intensive farming possible in the surrounding country.
Imperial Tombs of the Western Xia
The eight imperial mausoleums and more than 70 other tombs from the Western Xia dynasty (1032-1227) are scattered over grounds covering 40sq.km/15.5sq.mi, about 30km/19mi west of Yinchuan.
Each mausoleum is more than 10ha/25acres in area and comprises external and internal walls, four corner towers, a pavilion, a memorial hall, an altar and an underground burial chamber of compressed soil. One of the imperial tombs was opened up by archaeologists in the 1970s.
Each mausoleum is more than 10ha/25acres in area and comprises external and internal walls, four corner towers, a pavilion, a memorial hall, an altar and an underground burial chamber of compressed soil. One of the imperial tombs was opened up by archaeologists in the 1970s.
Pavilion of the Jade Emperor
The 22m/72ft high Pavilion of the Jade Emperor in the town center dates originally from the Ming period (1368-1644), but was rebuilt in 1954. It stands on a terrace of compressed clay covered in bricks and measuring 19m/62ft high, 38m/125ft long and 25m/82ft wide.
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West Pagoda
The West Pagoda (Xita) in the southwest of the town forms part of the Temple of Cheng Tian Si and was built in 1050. Both buildings were destroyed in an earthquake in 1738. The pagoda, 64m/210ft high, octagonal in plan and covered with green ceramic tiles, was rebuilt in 1820.
