Located in the middle of Ningxia Plain, Yinchuan is the capital of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. With the average elevation of 1,100 meters, it sheltered from the deserts of Mongolia by the high ranges of the Helan Mountain to its west. Yellow River runs through Yinchuan from southwest to northeast. Originally founded in 678, the city has a history of more than 1,300 years, which was the former capital of the Western Xia Empire of the Tanguts.

In Yinchuan, there has more than 60 historical sites including mosques, pagodas, pavilions, temples, imperial tombs as well as charming natural scenery. The most famous attractions are: Haibao Pagoda, Nanguan Mosque and Western Xia Imperial Tombs. Haibao Pagoda is the oldest Buddhism architecture with the history of more than 1500 years. Nanguan Mosque is an Arabic style Mosque and the home of the Islamic Cultural Center in Yinchuan. the Western Xia Imperial Tombs are the best-preserved historic cultural heritage representing the Tangut civilization at the largest scale and in the highest rank.

Since 2000, Yinchuan has hosted the annual Yinchuan International Car and Motorcycle Tourism Festival, which usually occurs in August. It is the largest event of its kind in China with approximately 3000 motorcycles attend annually.