Ningxia Travel, Perfect for Students on a Budget, Five Summer Retreats

Known as the "Hidden King" of summer retreats in Northwest China, Ningxia has an average summer temperature of 22°C. It offers the grandeur of deserts and oases intertwined, as well as the coolness brought by forests and mountains. More importantly, most attractions here offer half-price tickets for students, and you can enjoy a summer chill experience for just 200 yuan per person. Tested and recommended by graduate and doctoral students with special skills, here are five cost-effective summer retreats, along with a three-day, two-night budget travel itinerary. ① Helan Mountain National Forest Park | Step into a Natural Air-Conditioned Room Ningxia Helan Mountain National Forest Park -🫧 Summer Fun Take the 60 yuan sightseeing bus directly to Qingsongling (30 yuan with student ID), stroll along the 3,000-meter-high Pine Wave Trail, and take deep breaths in the forest full of negative oxygen ions. Strongly recommend renting a Hanfu for 10 yuan; the red wall and bamboo shadows next to the cliff teahouse (goji berry milk tea 12 yuan/cup) make for stunning photos. The abandoned ski resort at the mountain top has been converted into a campsite where you can stay overnight for free if you bring your own tent. 🚗 Money-saving Transport Tips The round-trip direct bus from Yinchuan costs 50 yuan (departing at 9:00 / returning at 16:00), which is 80% cheaper than hiring a private car! ② Liangdian Gorge, Liupan Mountain | A Fairy-tale Canyon Below 30°C Liangdian Gorge A hidden secret canyon in Guyuan, with a 4km wooden plank trail shaded by trees along the creek. Key spot: the ruins of Genghis Khan’s summer palace. Rent a Mongolian robe for 5 yuan and take ethnic-style photos in front of the stone monument. At the foot of the mountain, a farmhouse meal costs 50 yuan for three meals, featuring bracken fern fried with cured meat and buckwheat noodles to fill you up. ③ Shahu Lake No-Sunburn Experience | A Desert Meets Thousand-Island Lake Encounter Shahu Ecotourism Area After 4 PM, enjoy half-price tickets (student ticket 55 yuan). When taking a boat through the reed marsh, sit on the right side for better photos of the boat cutting through the blue waves. In the desert area, renting a sandboard for 15 yuan/hour is recommended, which is more budget-friendly than camel riding (60 yuan). A hidden gem is buying a 5 yuan bag of corn and waiting at the sand sculpture square at 6 PM to witness the spectacular scene of thousands of birds returning to their nests. ④ Huoshizhai Geological Park | Danxia Landform + Cold Spring Bath Huoshizhai National Geological (Forest) Park Enter through the west gate to avoid 90% of the tourists. Walk 30 minutes along the wooden plank trail to Yuntai Diecui. The 10 yuan entrance ticket grants access to a natural cold spring pool for foot soaking (remember to bring your own towel). For drone shots of the ochre-colored mountains, the best spot is near the windmill array beside Qingyuan Pavilion. At the park entrance, a bowl of Youmian Dundun noodles costs 5 yuan, topped with spicy chili oil that’s irresistibly delicious. ⑤ Qingtongxia Yellow River Grand Canyon | Night Tour to Beat the Heat Qingtongxia Yellow River Grand Canyon Too hot during the day? Night tour tickets after 7:30 PM cost only 68 yuan (including boat ride + 108 Tower light show). Enjoy the silhouette of Helan Mountain at dusk from the boat. After disembarking, rent a glowing headscarf for 10 yuan and take divine maiden-style photos under the starry projection at the 108 Tower. Night tour bonus: at 9 PM, the canyon entrance sprays mist, instantly dropping the temperature by 5°C! 📍 Three-Day, Two-Night Budget Travel Itinerary Day 1: Yinchuan Station → Helan Mountain Forest Park (camp overnight on the mountain top) Day 2: Shahu Lake → Night tour of Qingtongxia (stay at a 20 yuan hostel in Wuzhong) Day 3: Huoshizhai → Liupan Mountain (return from Guyuan) 💡 Key Tips for Summer Retreats in Ningxia 1⃣ Transport: Intercity buses within the province are 50% cheaper than high-speed trains; the night bus from Guyuan to Yinchuan saves one night’s accommodation fee. 2⃣ Accommodation: Off-season bargaining can get farmhouse stays near attractions down to 80 yuan per room; recommended are the cave dwellings in Jingyuan. 3⃣ Food: Guoqiang’s “leftover set meal” costs 28 yuan (includes minced meat + goji berry shoots + rice); avoid the beef pancakes at Huaiyuan Night Market, which have risen to 7 yuan! 4⃣ Avoid Scams: Desert activities drop prices by 30% after 5 PM; when buying goji berries, look for the “Zhongning” label. Known as the "Southern River of the Frontier" on the ancient Silk Road, Ningxia uses the snowmelt from Helan Mountain, the lake breeze of Tengger Desert, and the pine waves of Liupan Mountain to create a 25°C summer sanctuary. If you’re reading this note while sweating in a 40°C air-conditioned room, why not save your next weekend for this cost-effective summer paradise just 3 hours by high-speed train?