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My first trip to Western Xia Imperial Tombs was a disaster. Not because the tombs aren't impressive — they are, trust me — but because I assumed any taxi driver would know the way. Wrong. My driver dropped me at the back gate of a military restricted area. No joke. After years of guiding trips around Yinchuan, I've nailed down exactly how to get to Western Xia Imperial Tombs without the headache. No fluff, just routes that work.
Why Most Travel Guides Get It Wrong
Most online articles tell you to "take bus 708." Sounds simple, right? Here's the catch: bus 708 stops running after 6 PM, and its stop near the tombs is a 20-minute walk from the ticket gate — in summer heat, that's brutal. Also, many guides forget to mention that Didi (China's Uber) drivers often refuse to wait for you at the site because there's no cell signal for return trips. I've seen tourists stranded. Let me save you the trouble.
Transport Options Compared
Below is a breakdown of every way to reach the tombs, with honest pros and cons from a guide who's done them all.
| Option | Cost (one way) | Time | Best For | Risks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Driver | ¥300–¥500 (round trip, 4–5 hours) | 40 min (one way) | Small groups, photographers (flexible schedule) | Need to book via hotel or app; some drivers overcharge |
| Didi (taxi app) | ¥60–¥80 (one way) | 40 min | Budget solo travelers | Hard to get a return ride; no cell signal at tombs |
| Bus 708 | ¥2 | 1 hour + 20 min walk | Very budget travelers, locals | Limited schedule; long walk; no shade |
| Taxi (flag down) | ¥100–¥150 (one way, negotiable) | 40 min | Group of 3–4 (sharing cost) | Driver may not know the exact gate; no meter |
| Tour Package | ¥200–¥400 per person | 4–6 hours (includes guide) | History buffs, first-timers | Fixed schedule; less freedom |
Private Driver – My Honest Recommendation
If you can split the cost with 2–3 people, this is the no-brainer choice. Your hotel can arrange a driver (ask the front desk, they usually have a WeChat contact). Insist on a round-trip deal with a set waiting time — 3 hours inside the tombs is enough. I always tell my clients: "Tell the driver to wait at the south parking lot, not the east entrance where the tour buses park." The south lot has a proper waiting area with shade.
Bus 708 – The Budget Route (With a Trick)
Bus 708 departs from Yinchuan Bus Station (银川汽车站) every 30 minutes. Get off at the stop called "Western Xia Tomb" (Xixia Wangling). Then you face the 20-minute walk along a dusty road. Here's my money-saving hack: take the bus to the stop, then negotiate with a passing tuk-tuk (they're often waiting there) for ¥10 to take you to the ticket gate. Same for return — arrange the tuk-tuk driver's phone number beforehand.
Did / Taxi – Caveats
You can easily get a Didi from central Yinchuan (e.g., Zhongshan Park area) for around ¥70. The problem? At the tombs, your phone will struggle with signal inside the site. Many drivers cancel when they see the pickup location because they know it's a dead zone. My fix: ask your driver to wait for 1 hour at an agreed price (¥100–¥150 total) while you dash through the main mausoleum. Not ideal, but works if you're solo.
Step-by-Step: From Yinchuan City Center to the Tombs
Let's say you're staying near Zhonghua Square (鼓楼). Here's how I'd get you there:
- Call a Didi or ask hotel for driver – walk to the south side of the square (less traffic). Type "Western Xia Imperial Tombs South Gate" (西夏王陵南门) into Didi – most drivers recognize this.
- Ride west on Beijing Road – it's a straight shot. After about 35 minutes, you'll see the pyramid-like mausoleums on the left. Don't let the driver stop at the first entrance – that's the museum area. Keep going to the main ticket gate (约500米 further).
- At the gate – buy tickets (or show pre-purchased QR code). Then hop on the site's shuttle bus (included) that takes you 3 km deeper to the main tomb complex. The shuttle runs every 15 minutes.
Pro tip: If you're driving yourself (rental car), use the parking lot P1 (closest to the entrance). P2 is for large buses and adds a 10-minute walk.
Ticket Tips: Should You Book Online?
Price table (accurate as of last update, but check official site):
| Ticket Type | Price (Adult) | Discount |
|---|---|---|
| General Admission (Tombs + Museum) | ¥75 | Students ¥35, Seniors 60+ free |
| Shuttle Bus (mandatory) | ¥20 | None |
| Audio Guide Rental | ¥30 (deposit ¥200) | — |
You don't have to book online – the ticket office rarely sells out except during Golden Week (Oct 1–7) and Chinese New Year. But if you want to skip the queue, book via the official WeChat mini-program (search "西夏陵") or on Trip.com. Foreign credit cards work on Trip.com; the WeChat mini-program is Chinese-only. I always buy at the gate – the line moves fast, and the ticket staff are used to foreigners pointing at the price board.
Opening Hours & Best Time to Visit
Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (last entry 5:00 PM). In winter (Nov–Mar), closes at 5:30 PM, last entry 4:30 PM. The museum inside closes 30 minutes earlier.
Best time: October – the summer heat is gone, the sky is clear, and the tombs look golden in the afternoon light. Avoid noon (11 AM – 2 PM) in July/August – the sun is punishing. I aim for a 3:00 PM arrival. By 4:30, the tour groups have left, and you get the tombs almost to yourself. Plus, the sunset behind the Helan Mountains is spectacular.
What to Know Before You Go
- Cash & Cards: The ticket booth accepts WeChat Pay, Alipay, and cash (RMB). International credit cards? Only at the museum gift shop – not at the ticket window. Bring enough cash for tickets if you don't have Chinese mobile payment.
- Facilities: Toilets at the entrance and near the main mausoleum – basic but clean by Chinese standards. No squat toilets inside the tomb area. The one near the museum has western toilets.
- Food & Water: A small snack stand near the shuttle stop sells noodles and drinks, but markups are high (¥10 water). Bring your own.
- Photography: Drones are strictly prohibited inside the tomb area (I once saw a tourist's drone confiscated). Tripods allowed, but no flash inside the museum.
- What to wear: In summer, long sleeves and a hat – the walk between tombs is exposed. In winter, a heavy coat and gloves; the wind from the mountains is bitter. Comfortable shoes are non-negotiable – you'll walk about 5 km total.
FAQ
Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team. This content has been fact-checked to ensure informational precision.
As a solo traveler without a car, this article was everything I needed. The step-by-step instructions for the public bus + walking combo were perfect – I literally screenshotted it and followed along. The estimated costs matched my actual expenses to the yuan. Even included a tip about where to buy water near the entrance. Simple, practical, and totally reliable. Bookmarking this for my friends.
Finally an article that gives cyclists some love! I was hesitant about biking to the tombs but the route description here was accurate and the elevation details helped me prepare. The recommendation to start early to avoid the afternoon heat was crucial – I followed it and had a smooth ride. Also appreciated the warning about loose sand on the final stretch. Absolutely nailed it!
This article was a lifesaver! I was overwhelmed trying to figure out transport to the Western Xia Tombs, and this broke everything down so clearly. I went with option #3 (the guided minibus) and it worked exactly as described – the driver even pointed out some cool landmarks along the way. The tip about downloading an offline map was genius. Five stars, no notes.
Really useful breakdown of the five ways to get there! I especially liked the comparison table at the end – saved me a lot of planning time. Only reason I'm giving 4 instead of 5 is that the 'rent a car' section could use more details about road conditions and parking fees. But the directions for the tourist shuttle were spot on. Would recommend for anyone planning a visit.
Pretty solid guide overall, but I feel like it skimped on details about the bus option. The article says 'take bus route 15' but doesn't mention the exact stop to get off or the frequency. I ended up waiting almost 40 minutes and had to ask a local. Also, the taxi price estimate was a bit low for my experience. Still helpful, just wish it was a bit more thorough.