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China Elevator Stories
Ningxia: The Western Xia Imperial Tombs (China Travel)
I visited the Western Xia Imperial Tombs in Ningxia in 2026.
29/01/2026
Ruth Silbermayr
Author
I arrived at Yinchuan Station at the end of January 2026. I first went to my hotel, which was located near the railway station, and then took a cab to the Western Xia Imperial Tombs, which are located just outside this provincial capital.
The tombs are set against a dramatic mountain backdrop, which makes them appear truly majestic. The Western Xia Dynasty certainly knew how to bury their emperors in a place worthy of an emperor and how to use architecture to impressive effect.
This dynasty ruled the region between the 11th and 13th centuries, and the people who lived here—the Tangut, a Sino-Tibetan people with their own unique script—vanished from history afterwards. The Western Xia had to fight against external enemies and did not experience peaceful times. Excavated items include pottery and coins, among other things.
On site, visitors can take a bus for 20 yuan to the first stop, and each additional tomb costs another 20 yuan by bus (the buses take visitors from one tomb to another, or from the entrance to a tomb and then back). As far as I understand, it is common to take the bus within the area rather than walk. When I visited, the entrance fee was waived, which is a common experience in many tourist areas.
When I visited during the low season, in winter, there was no snow, but it was freezing and the area was almost empty. A few other tourists had made it there, but not many. I saw no other foreigners while visiting Yinchuan, and most locals were surprised to see one, which made it seem like a rather rare occurrence.
Have you ever visited the Western Xia Imperial Tombs?