Destination guide · 15 Oct 2026
Beyond the classics: why we love Ningxia
Travelers are moving beyond the Beijing–Xi’an–Shanghai line, toward smaller cities and wilder landscapes. Ningxia, where Road Commune was born, is one of the most rewarding.
In 2025 the Western Xia Imperial Tombs were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. They are the royal necropolis of a dynasty that ruled the region for nearly two centuries. The vineyards on the Helan Mountain foothills have been winning international attention, and the roads are still empty.
Ningxia is a short domestic flight from Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an or Chengdu, so it makes an easy add-on to a classic trip.