Rock Paintings of Helan Mountain
Rock Paintings of Helan Mountain
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4.0
53 reviews
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18
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20
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TravelThings
Vancouver, Canada49 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
The site includes two areas - the museum and the actual paintings on the canyon wall.
The museum was very informative. It included information about rock paintings from all over the world. It also gave a good overview of the Ningxia area.
The paintings on the canyon wall is in a separate area which you need to take a short electric bus ride there. It would be helpful if you had a tour guide to explain the paintings. Some of them tell quite interesting stories and it was wonderful listening to our guide explain them.
It's quite amazing how these paintings managed to last for thousands of years and are still so clearly visible even today. They mark the paintings with subtle red dots to help guide you on where to look as some of them might be a bit faded.
As a bonus, there are lots of canyon sheep jumping around. It's amazing to see how they are able to scale the cliffs so effortlessly.
Try to go on a sunny day. The area is prone to rockslides and flash floods during rain. The ominous warning is put on repeat as you walk deeper into the canyon. Most tour groups start walking back midway into the canyon but if you keep heading up you'll reach a hidden waterfall which is the source of the small stream at the entrance area.
The museum was very informative. It included information about rock paintings from all over the world. It also gave a good overview of the Ningxia area.
The paintings on the canyon wall is in a separate area which you need to take a short electric bus ride there. It would be helpful if you had a tour guide to explain the paintings. Some of them tell quite interesting stories and it was wonderful listening to our guide explain them.
It's quite amazing how these paintings managed to last for thousands of years and are still so clearly visible even today. They mark the paintings with subtle red dots to help guide you on where to look as some of them might be a bit faded.
As a bonus, there are lots of canyon sheep jumping around. It's amazing to see how they are able to scale the cliffs so effortlessly.
Try to go on a sunny day. The area is prone to rockslides and flash floods during rain. The ominous warning is put on repeat as you walk deeper into the canyon. Most tour groups start walking back midway into the canyon but if you keep heading up you'll reach a hidden waterfall which is the source of the small stream at the entrance area.
Written July 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jiehui b
Yinchuan, China3 contributions
Aug 2022 • Solo
Helan Mountain Rock
paintings : Helan Mountain in Of the three mountains and five mountains , there is no one
But because of the famous Yue of the Southern Song Dynasty Fly a " Jianghong "," break
the Helan mountain Que ＂ is famous all over the world . The word " Helan " means " steed " in Mongolian . There are more than 5,000 rock paintings distributed inside and outside the pass . In 2004, it was
officially declared to be the first batch of China ＇ s National Natural and Cultural Heritage Preparatory List . It is a precious national art gallery .
paintings : Helan Mountain in Of the three mountains and five mountains , there is no one
But because of the famous Yue of the Southern Song Dynasty Fly a " Jianghong "," break
the Helan mountain Que ＂ is famous all over the world . The word " Helan " means " steed " in Mongolian . There are more than 5,000 rock paintings distributed inside and outside the pass . In 2004, it was
officially declared to be the first batch of China ＇ s National Natural and Cultural Heritage Preparatory List . It is a precious national art gallery .
Written November 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FeltonS
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia220 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
I've lived and traveled in China for 11 years, and I'd place this site in my top 3 attractions. I'm grateful we went.
Upon arrival you'll be ushered into a middling to poor museum of rock art throughout China and the world - I'd advise skipping it (note: it appears that a new museum is under construction as of May 2014) and going straight to the third floor where you'll catch an electric bus to a canyon where the petroglyphs are located. From there, you can walk a sidewalk deep into the canyon, which is dotted with petroglyphs. If you're spry, you can climb up the canyon walls (and some hazardous stairways) to see less viewed petroglyphs.
It's the kind of experience that's quite rare in Chinese tourism - walking through well-preserved, scenic areas - and the experience of doing so with ancient art around you is really wonderful. Along the way, if you're lucky, you might also catch sight of some blue sheep in the crags high above the canyon.
Highly recommended.
Upon arrival you'll be ushered into a middling to poor museum of rock art throughout China and the world - I'd advise skipping it (note: it appears that a new museum is under construction as of May 2014) and going straight to the third floor where you'll catch an electric bus to a canyon where the petroglyphs are located. From there, you can walk a sidewalk deep into the canyon, which is dotted with petroglyphs. If you're spry, you can climb up the canyon walls (and some hazardous stairways) to see less viewed petroglyphs.
It's the kind of experience that's quite rare in Chinese tourism - walking through well-preserved, scenic areas - and the experience of doing so with ancient art around you is really wonderful. Along the way, if you're lucky, you might also catch sight of some blue sheep in the crags high above the canyon.
Highly recommended.
Written May 24, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donna V
Melbourne, Australia126 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
I didn't have any expectations for the Rock Paintings as it was just an idea to visit her after the XiXia Tombs to fill in a day. It is amazing, the musuem is first class, very new setup, you can see the details of the carvings and then take little electric bus to other areas of the site. Then you work around the mountain path and see the rock paintings in real life, it is amazing and you need 2.5 hours here minimum to see everything. Don't forget to visit the beautiful unique art exhibition building as well. We used Mr Liu as a driver, extremely safe, lovely man, he drove us for 2 days and also to the airport. I would totally recommend him. +8618909510856 but you need to get someone to speak chinese to him.
Written May 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SebBud
Stuttgart, Germany105 contributions
Sep 2015 • Friends
Make sure to go further into the canyon as most of the tourist groups do. The place is crowed and touristy at the beginning, but is getting really nice. There are some options to hike up the mountains and look down the canyon.
Written October 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SingaporeGirl
Singapore, Singapore517 contributions
Jan 2013 • Friends
Visited in 2009 and found it interesting but you have to close your eyes to the usual China tourism squalor (gift shops, concrete paths, etc.). In 2009 we could climb the hills and stray off the sidewalks where we found additional carvings un-enhanced that were much more interesting. Why oh why can't the Chinese tourism industry learn to leave things alone and stop pouring concrete everywhere. Do what must be done to protect sites but covering them in concrete is not the way to go.
Written December 6, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RLO721
Singapore, Singapore83 contributions
Oct 2021
The other three star reviews have it right -- it's a mediocre site that is worth skipping if you have a tight schedule. If you've already exhausted the other sites in Helan Mountains, have a half day to burn and/or if are REALLY into ancient rock carvings ("rock paintings" is not really a good way to describe them...), then it could be worth the trip. But you should note that this is some distance from downtown Yinchuan with no convenient/affordable way to get there, and itself has a rather overpriced (for what it is) admission ticket of 70 RMB per person.
As with many sites in China, it is excessively built-up for what it is, with the ticketing area feeling a bit like a circus. The complex contains two museums which are actually surprisingly well-presented, but focus on rock art in a general sense, rather than anything particular to the region (Ningxia Museum in downtown Yinchuan covers that well). One highlight of the museum is where they give demonstrations of how ancient rock pictures eventually evolved into Chinese characters, and some people might find this interesting. But all of this could just as easily be found in books (or Wikipedia articles) to save yourself the trouble of getting here.
There is a path of about 2km which allows you to walk through some rock art supposedly in their original location (I'm suspicious...). It's nothing particularly incredible or jaw-dropping, but a true connoisseur might enjoy it. The experience would be enhanced with audio guides and/or a little portable map with context and information about the particular rock carvings you find along the path. If you just want to appreciate a bit the mountain scenery, the "Forest Park" 10km away is much better.
As with many sites in China, it is excessively built-up for what it is, with the ticketing area feeling a bit like a circus. The complex contains two museums which are actually surprisingly well-presented, but focus on rock art in a general sense, rather than anything particular to the region (Ningxia Museum in downtown Yinchuan covers that well). One highlight of the museum is where they give demonstrations of how ancient rock pictures eventually evolved into Chinese characters, and some people might find this interesting. But all of this could just as easily be found in books (or Wikipedia articles) to save yourself the trouble of getting here.
There is a path of about 2km which allows you to walk through some rock art supposedly in their original location (I'm suspicious...). It's nothing particularly incredible or jaw-dropping, but a true connoisseur might enjoy it. The experience would be enhanced with audio guides and/or a little portable map with context and information about the particular rock carvings you find along the path. If you just want to appreciate a bit the mountain scenery, the "Forest Park" 10km away is much better.
Written October 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amanda
Port of Spain, Trinidad32 contributions
Sep 2019 • Friends
Beautiful place. Breathtaking views. Worth a visit. Ningxia is not as populated as other areas, less pollution and really great food.
Written December 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ann_anncy
Bangkok, Thailand458 contributions
Sep 2019 • Business
Very interesting place to explore a civilizations before prehistoric China. Mountain Helen was also a key stronghold.
There’re blue sheep, the symbol of Mountain Helen walk along. Recommended place!!
There’re blue sheep, the symbol of Mountain Helen walk along. Recommended place!!
Written September 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Victoria V
4 contributions
Feb 2018 • Friends
We had an AMAZING experience with this tour in Yinchuan! It was kind of hard for us to get around Yinchuan ourselves because almost no one spoke English so we decided to go to this guy who spoke English and it was more than what we expected!
So they took us to sites such as Shuidonggou, Helan Mountain, Zhenbeibao TV & Movie city, Shapotou desert etc., I highly recommend you guys go to at least two of these sites. They might be far from each other but there is a lot of nature and culture to see in these places.
Other than that, we did cool local things such as: Hike Helan Mountain and camp there; BBQ and dumpling-making in a traditional Chinese yard; Exploring local night markets where all the local people go. I think they organize other things such as biking the city and villages, and learn how to draw Chinese calligraphy etc. but we didn’t have time to do those.
Seriously go to these guys, They offer a low price too!
Eric whatsapp +86 182 2237 6633
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g1854982-d1855898-r586674621-The_China_Western_Film_Studios-Helan_County_Ningxia.html#
So they took us to sites such as Shuidonggou, Helan Mountain, Zhenbeibao TV & Movie city, Shapotou desert etc., I highly recommend you guys go to at least two of these sites. They might be far from each other but there is a lot of nature and culture to see in these places.
Other than that, we did cool local things such as: Hike Helan Mountain and camp there; BBQ and dumpling-making in a traditional Chinese yard; Exploring local night markets where all the local people go. I think they organize other things such as biking the city and villages, and learn how to draw Chinese calligraphy etc. but we didn’t have time to do those.
Seriously go to these guys, They offer a low price too!
Eric whatsapp +86 182 2237 6633
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g1854982-d1855898-r586674621-The_China_Western_Film_Studios-Helan_County_Ningxia.html#
Written June 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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