Cliff Carvings in Helan Mountains 賀蘭山巖畫

The Cliff Carvings in the Helan Mountains, 56 kilometers from Yinchuan, are known to be a carved history of ancient Chinese nomads, who lived and hunted some 10,000 years ago near these mountains.

Those thousands of cliff carvings display a rich variety of themes such as astronomy, human activities and geography. Most of them were discovered at entrances to the mountains, recording the scenes of nomadic life with scenes of rituals and drawings of people and animals. Especially noteworthy are carvings about mythical tales, legendary figures and genital worship.

These cliff carvings have become a national cultural relic under special protection. It was listed on the unofficial world cultural heritages by the UNESCO International Committee of Rock Painting in 1977.

Tips:

Admission: 60 yuan

Working Hours: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

How to get there: Take the No. 16 bus at downtown Yinchuan and get off at the village of Zhenbeibao, then hire a car to get there for 20 yuan.