Ningxia Museum

Ningxia Museum

Ningxia Museum is a patriotic education base.

The predecessor of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Museum was the Ningxia Geological Museum Preparatory Office, established in September 1959, and it was officially renamed the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Museum in 1973. The original site was located within the Chengtian Temple courtyard in Yinchuan, the capital of the autonomous region. In 1988, the entire courtyard was renovated and reconstructed into antique-style architecture, which has been in use ever since. In 2004, the construction of the new Ningxia Museum was listed as a gift project for the 50th anniversary celebration of the establishment of the autonomous region. In November 2006, construction of the new Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Museum began, with a total investment of 228 million yuan. After two and a half years of hard work, the new museum officially opened in September 2008 to welcome the 50th anniversary celebration. It features a dignified exterior, advanced facilities, comprehensive functions, innovative exhibitions, and high-quality services.

The new museum is located on the east side of People's Square in Jinfeng District, Yinchuan, with a total construction area of 30,258 square meters and a height of 21.2 meters, consisting of four floors. The underground floor covers an area of 8,456 square meters and includes cultural relic storage rooms, equipment rooms, and office areas, with a saturation capacity of 150,000 cultural relics. The above-ground area is 21,802 square meters, with the first floor housing the central hall, VIP reception room, temporary exhibition halls, and visitor service areas; the second and third floors contain various exhibition halls, library reading rooms and stacks, multimedia classrooms, and visitor service areas. The main structure of the new museum embodies rich regional and ethnic characteristics. The overall building plan is laid out in a “回” (Hui) character shape, reflecting the “Hui” of the Hui Autonomous Region. The entrance façade draws inspiration from Islamic ethnic styles, while the glass curtain wall used in part of the third-floor exterior creates a strong contrast between traditional art and modern aesthetics, while also showcasing strong ethnic characteristics. The combination of the upper perforated frames and lower stone materials fully demonstrates the building’s elegant, simple, balanced, and stable personality. Architectural components such as the Karyobinga and the “Lizhi Wen Zhi Zuo” pillar decorations used in the exterior decoration, as well as the decorative patterns on the four main gates, are all representative of Ningxia’s historical and cultural heritage, featuring distinct regional characteristics.

Ningxia has a long history and rich cultural heritage. The Ningxia Museum currently houses nearly 40,000 cultural relics. Among them, there are more than 4,000 precious relics at or above the third level, with 159 confirmed as national first-class relics. The stone-carved tomb doors of the Whirling Dance, the gilded bronze ox, and the Lizhi Wen Zhi Zuo pillar have been identified as national treasure-level relics. The collections of Western Xia relics and Hui ethnic relics are notable for their quantity and quality, drawing attention in the cultural and museum sectors. The distinct local and ethnic characteristics of the museum’s collection set it apart among museums nationwide. Representative items also include the Helan Mountain rock carvings and revolutionary relics from the Red Army’s Western Expedition and the Shaan-Gan-Ning Border Region period. The twelve exhibitions displayed across the first, second, and third floors of the new museum—including the general history section, thematic section, and temporary exhibition section—complement and enhance each other, reflecting the history, culture, and local characteristics of Ningxia from multiple levels and perspectives.

The new Ningxia Museum fully leverages its collection advantages, integrating display, scientific research and preservation, public education, and also offers a bright central atrium, advanced facilities, and a rich cultural atmosphere, making it an ideal venue for various ceremonial events and a perfect destination for leisure travel.

Address: No. 6, East Renmin Square Street, Jinfeng District, Yinchuan City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region

Type: Museum

Recommended visiting time: 1–2 hours

Phone: 0951-5085093; 0951-5042945

Official website: http://www.nxbwg.com/

Opening hours:

9:00–16:50 (Closed on Mondays)

Ticket information:

Free admission. Collect a free entry ticket at the ticket office with a valid ID.

Source: Ningxia Museum

Further reading:

· National First-Class Museum of China

Fragmentary stele with Western Xia script

Gilded bronze statue of Hanshan

Silver chrysanthemum ornament inlaid with turquoise

Stone chi dragon head

Glazed four-legged beast