This is a 7-day Muslim route and halal food journey, allowing you to experience unique charm

7-Day Itinerary (Muslims,Halal food)

– Day 1: Arrive in Yinchuan
Yinchuan, the capital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, boasts abundant halal cuisine. Arrive in the morning, check into your hotel, and spend the afternoon visiting Chengtian Temple Pagoda (one of Ningxia’s oldest surviving Buddhist structures) to soak up its historical charm.
For dinner, try halal specialties like hand-grasped mutton, lamb offal soup, and youxiang (fried sesame cakes) at老字号清真餐馆 “Lao Ma’s Lamb Offal” (a local halal landmark).

– Day 2: In-Depth Tour of Yinchuan
– Morning: Visit the Ningxia Museum to learn about the culture of the Hui and other ethnic minorities.
– Afternoon: Explore the China Hui Culture Park, a key site showcasing Hui culture with Islamic-inspired architecture—perfect for photos.
– Dinner: Try halal hotpot to savor northwest flavors.

– Day 3: Yinchuan → Sand Lake → Shizuishan
– Morning: Head to Sand Lake (a 5A scenic area) to admire its unique “sand-meets-water” landscape. Activities include boating, bird-watching, and sand play.
– Afternoon: Travel to Shizuishan, check in, and taste local halal snacks like niangpi (cold noodles) and babao tea (eight-treasure tea).

– Day 4: Shizuishan → Zhongwei
– Morning: Explore Shapotou (a scenic area blending desert, the Yellow River, mountains, and oases). Try activities like Yellow River zip-lining or camel rides in the desert.
– Zhongwei has a concentration of halal restaurants. For dinner, enjoy hand-grasped mutton paired with Yellow River beer (non-alcoholic options available).

– Day 5: Zhongwei → Lanzhou
– Travel to Lanzhou by car. In the afternoon, visit the Yellow River Mother Sculpture and Zhongshan Bridge to experience the charm of the Yellow River.
– Dinner: Head to Lanzhou’s famous halal food street, Zhengning Road Night Market, for beef noodles, tianpei (fermented grains drink), and huidouzi (sweet bean soup).

– Day 6: Lanzhou → Linxia
Linxia, known as “China’s Little Mecca,” is rich in Hui culture.
– Morning: Wander Bafang Shisanxiang (ancient residential lanes with strong Islamic vibes).
– Afternoon: Tour Donggongguan (a Republican-era mansion blending Chinese and Islamic architectural styles).
– Linxia has numerous halal eateries—try Hezhou baozi (steamed buns) and hand-grasped mutton.

– Day 7: Linxia → Departure
– Morning: Explore Linxia’s halal markets to buy Hui-style handicrafts (e.g., embroidery, carpets). After lunch, depart according to your schedule.

10-Day Itinerary (Extended to Qinghai)

For more time, add Qinghai to the 7-day route:

– Day 8: Linxia → Xining
– Travel to Xining by car. In the afternoon, visit Dongguan Great Mosque (a renowned mosque in northwest China with grand architecture) to experience religious culture.
– Dinner: Try Xining’s halal specialties like kangguo yangrou (clay-pot mutton) and gaxiaomian (small noodles).

– Day 9: Xining → Qinghai Lake
– Morning: Head to Qinghai Lake (China’s largest inland lake). Cycle or walk along the shore to enjoy lake and mountain views.
– Afternoon: Visit the Atomic City Memorial Hall near the lake to learn about local history.
– There are halal restaurants around Qinghai Lake—opt for halal barbecue for dinner.

– Day 10: Qinghai Lake → Xining → Departure
– Morning: Explore Ta’er Monastery (a sacred site of Tibetan Buddhism with exquisite architecture), experiencing cultural diversity.
– Afternoon: Return to Xining and depart from the airport/train station.

Highlights of the Route:

1. Dietary Convenience: Cities like Yinchuan, Linxia, Xining, and Lanzhou have dense halal restaurants, from street snacks to specialty feasts, ensuring compliance with dietary restrictions.
2. Cultural Experience: Immerse in Hui culture through architecture, cuisine, and traditions, with insights into ethnic diversity.
3. Diverse Landscapes: Combines deserts, lakes, the Yellow River, and ancient towns, blending nature and history for a rich travel experience.

Adjust the itinerary based on seasons (e.g., Qinghai Lake’s rapeseed flowers bloom in summer; Ningxia’s deserts are cooler in autumn). For convenience, check halal restaurant locations in advance.