Yinchuan (银川)

1. Introduction

Yinchuan City, abbreviated as Yin, was historically known as Xingqing Prefecture, Zhongxing Prefecture, Zhongxing Circuit, Huaiyuan Town, Yinhan City, Ningxia Garrison City, and Ningxia Provincial City. In the Tangut language, it was called Yirgai (Rjur Kiej, meaning "world" or "capital"), and in medieval Mongolian and Persian historical records, it was referred to as Egrigaia. It is the capital of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, located in the central-northern part of Ningxia, at the heart of the Ningxia Plain, often called the "Jiangnan Beyond the Great Wall." It lies to the west of the Helan Mountains and to the east of the Ordos Plateau. The Yellow River flows from south to north through its central area, and the region is dotted with numerous lakes and wetlands, earning it the nickname City of Lakes Beyond the Great Wall.

Yinchuan is one of the cradles of ancient human civilization. As early as 38,000 to 40,000 years ago, the Shuidonggou people thrived here. Yinchuan was an area developed relatively early by the Central Plains dynasties. In the 32nd year of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's reign (213 BCE), General Meng Tian drove the Xiongnu northward and incorporated Yinchuan into the Qin Dynasty. In the spring of the second year of the Yuanshuo era of Emperor Wu of Han (127 BCE), General Wei Qing encircled and annihilated the Xiongnu Baiyang King who had entrenched himself here, bringing the Yinchuan region under Han Dynasty rule. During the Tang Dynasty, Yinchuan was first established as Huaiyuan County and later became Huaiyuan Town, one of the "Six Towns Beyond the River" of Lingzhou. In 1020, Li Deming elevated Huaiyuan Town to Xingzhou and moved the capital here. Through the expansion and construction under Li Yuanhao, Yinchuan became the capital of the Western Xia Dynasty, Xingqing Prefecture, for approximately two centuries. During the Yuan Dynasty, Yinchuan served as the provincial capital of the Western Xia Zhongxing Province. In the Ming Dynasty, Yinchuan was established as the Ningxia Garrison, one of the nine key frontier garrisons, and was home to high-ranking officials such as the Ningxia Garrison Commander-in-Chief, the Ningxia Governor, and the Ningxia Garrison Eunuch.

Yinchuan City currently administers three districts, two counties, and one county-level city: Xingqing District, Jinfeng District, Xixia District, Yongning County, Helan County, and Lingwu City. The city covers a total area of 9,025 square kilometers, with a Han population of 2.163 million and a Hui population of 673,000. Yinchuan is a nationally recognized historical and cultural city (second batch), with landmarks such as the Yuhuang Pavilion, the Drum Tower, and the Nanguan Grand Mosque. The Helan Mountain Rock Carvings, the Western Xia Imperial Tombs, the Baisikou Twin Pagodas, and the Helan Mountain National Forest Park at the foot of the Helan Mountains combine cultural and natural scenery. Yinchuan borders Shizuishan City to the north, Ordos City in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to the east, Wuzhong City to the south, and the Alxa League of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to the west.

Yinchuan is an important central city in the northwestern region and a key node city in the "Belt and Road" initiative. It is the permanent host of the China-Arab States Economic and Trade Forum and serves as the military, political, economic, cultural, scientific research, transportation, and financial-commercial center of the entire autonomous region. In recent years, Yinchuan has made significant progress in the fields of new energy and green agriculture. Leveraging the Helan Mountain East Foothills wine region, it is committed to building itself into a world wine capital. The Yinchuan Municipal People's Government is located at No. 166 Beijing Middle Road, Jinfeng District.

2. Origin of the Name

During the Western Xia period, Yinchuan was known as Xingqing Prefecture or Zhongxing Prefecture. In the Tangut language, it was pronounced "Rjur Kiej," and medieval Mongolian and Persian historical records adopted this pronunciation, referring to it as Egrigaia. In the Yuan Dynasty, it was called Ningxia Prefecture Road City; in the Ming Dynasty, it was known as Ningxia Garrison City; in the Qing Dynasty, it was referred to as Ningxia Prefecture City; and during the Republic of China era, it was called Shuofang Circuit City. In the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, literati began using "Yinchuan" as a metaphor for the Ningxia provincial capital area, as seen in works such as Liu Minkuan's "Autumn Moon: Meeting with Governor Yang Chupu at the Great Wall Pass" and Xie Zhentai's "Traveling to Helan Mountain." It was during the Yongzheng reign of the Qing Dynasty that "Yinchuan" started to be used specifically to refer to the Ningxia provincial capital. In the 18th year of the Qianlong reign (1753), Zhao Benzhi, the prefect of Ningxia, established the Yinchuan Academy. By the 20th year of the Qianlong reign (1755), the book "Yinchuan Xiaozhi" was completed, indicating that the name "Yinchuan" had been widely adopted both officially and among the populace by that time. In 1944, the Ningxia provincial capital was officially named "Yinchuan." On April 18, 1947, Yinchuan City was established.

Additionally, the Xixia District of Yinchuan City is named after the Western Xia Imperial Tombs.

3. History

The Yinchuan region shows traces of human activity as early as the Paleolithic Age, such as the discovered Shuidonggou site, and Neolithic cultural sites like Zhenbeibao and Nuanquan.

During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, Yinchuan was a nomadic area for ethnic groups such as the Xiongnu. In 221 BCE, Qin Shi Huang unified China and divided the country into 36 commanderies, with Yinchuan belonging to the Beidi Commandery. He sent General Meng Tian to cultivate the land there.

In the early years of the Western Han Dynasty, the construction of the Hanyan Canal began, and it was completed and opened for water flow nine years later. During the reign of Emperor Cheng of Han, Feng Can, the Shanghe Diannong Duwei (an official in charge of agriculture and land reclamation) of Beidi Commandery, built a city called Bei Diannong Cheng, commonly known as Lücheng, in the area of present-day Walucun, Zhangzheng Township, east of Rongdong in Yinchuan. Nomadic peoples such as the Xiongnu referred to it as Yinhan City. During the Sixteen Kingdoms period, Helian Bobo of the Xia Kingdom renovated Bei Diannong Cheng into "Lizi Garden," which became a scenic recreational city and an important military and grain storage town.

In the third year of the Jiande era of the Northern Zhou Dynasty (574 CE), Huaiyuan Commandery and Huaiyuan County were established in the center of the Yinchuan Plain, under the jurisdiction of Lingzhou. In the second year of the Yifeng era of the Tang Dynasty (677 CE), Huaiyuan County was destroyed by a Yellow River flood. The following year, a new Huaiyuan city was built west of the old city (in present-day Xingqing District, Yinchuan).

During the Northern Song Dynasty, Huaiyuan County was renamed Huaiyuan Town, one of the famous "Five Towns Beyond the River." In the fourth year of the Xianping era (1001 CE), Li Jiqian, leader of the Tangut Tuoba tribe, captured Huaiyuan and five other towns beyond the river. The following year, he relocated over 6,000 people from Lingzhou to Huaiyuan. In the winter of the eleventh month of the fourth year of the Tianxi era (1020 CE), Li Deming, son of Li Jiqian, moved the capital from Lingzhou to Huaiyuan Town. He constructed city walls, gates, palace halls, and essential ancestral temples and altars for establishing a state, renaming the place Xingzhou. In the second year of the Mingdao era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1033 CE), Li Yuanhao, the eldest son of Li Deming, renamed Xingzhou as Xingqing Prefecture. In 1038, he held a ceremony in Xingqing Prefecture to establish the Great Xia Kingdom, historically known as the Western Xia. As the capital of the Western Xia, Xingqing Prefecture was once highly prosperous, with a population reaching 200,000 at its peak.

During the Yuan Dynasty, the Western Xia Zhongxing and other routes were initially established under the Zhongshu Sheng (Central Secretariat), later renamed Gansu Province Zhongxing Prefecture and Ningxia Prefecture. In the Ming Dynasty, Ningxia Prefecture was established, later changed to Ningxia Guard, and then further divided into Ningxia Qianwei, Zuowei, Youwei, and Zhongtunwei, collectively known as the "Five Guards." During the Jianwen era of the Ming Dynasty (1399–1402), Ningxia Town was established as one of the "Nine Frontier Towns." In the Qing Dynasty, Ningxia Prefecture was established. Starting from the second year of the Yongzheng era (1724), Ningshuo County was established, with both Ningxia County and Ningshuo County governed within Ningxia City. During the Republic of China, Ningxia Circuit and Shuofang Circuit were established. In 1929, Ningxia Province was established, with Yinchuan as its capital. In 1945, Yinchuan City was separated from Helan County. By 1949, the urban area of Yinchuan covered approximately 30,000 square kilometers with a population of about 30,000.

On September 23, 1949, the Chinese People's Liberation Army took over Yinchuan, and on the 29th, the Yinchuan Municipal People's Government was established. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Yinchuan remained the capital of Ningxia Province until 1954 when Ningxia Province was abolished, and Yinchuan became the seat of the Yinchuan Administrative Office of Gansu Province. In 1954, the administrative division of Ningxia Province was dissolved, and Yinchuan City became the location of the Yinchuan Special District of Gansu Province. In 1958, the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region was established, and Yinchuan City became the capital of the autonomous region.

After the 1950s, due to the numerous lakes and wetlands surrounding the old city (present-day Xingqing District), the Yinchuan Municipal Government did not focus on expanding the old city but instead developed a new city in the area of Xin Mancheng. Until the 21st century, Yinchuan maintained a "twin-city" model. After the 21st century, the wetlands between the old and new cities were gradually filled, eventually forming the pattern of the old city, new city, and suburbs, later renamed Xingqing District, Jinfeng District, and Xixia District.

On June 1, 1972, Yongning County was incorporated into Yinchuan City. In 2002, Lingwu City was separated from Wuzhong City and placed under the administration of Yinchuan City.

In 2010, the State Council of the People's Republic of China approved Ningxia to permanently host the "China-Arab States Economic and Trade Forum." In 2012, the Yinchuan Comprehensive Bonded Zone was established.

4. Geography

Yinchuan City is located in the central part of the Ningxia Plain in the upper reaches of the Yellow River. It borders Otog Front Banner of Inner Mongolia to the east; leans against the Helan Mountains to the west, adjacent to the Alxa League of Inner Mongolia; connects with Wuzhong City to the south; and links with Shizuishan City to the north. Its geographical scope lies between 37°29′ to 38°53′ north latitude and 105°49′ to 106°53′ east longitude.

4.1 Topography and Landforms

Yinchuan is situated in the central part of the proluvial and alluvial plain formed by the Helan Mountains and the Yellow River. The terrain is open and flat, with no ground cutting. The elevation ranges between 1,010 and 1,150 meters, with gentle ground slopes. The western and southern parts are relatively higher, while the northern and eastern parts are lower, showing a slight tilt from southwest to northeast. Within the city, the highest point of the Helan Mountains is 3,207 meters. The Yellow River flows from a point 16 kilometers east of the Yinchuan urban area in a north-by-east direction towards Shizuishan.

The geomorphological units are divided from west to east into six parts: the Helan Mountain area, proluvial inclined plain, proluvial-alluvial plain, alluvial-lacustrine-marsh plain, alluvial-river-marsh plain, river valley plain, and floodplain.

4.2 Lakes and Wetlands

Historically, due to the constant shifting of the Yellow River's course, Yinchuan has numerous lakes and wetlands. It was anciently said to have "seventy-two connected lakes" and is now beautifully called the "Lake City on the Frontier." The city has a wetland area of 39,700 hectares, of which natural wetlands account for over 60% of the total wetland area. There are nearly 200 natural lakes, with more than 20 lakes covering an area of over 100 hectares each. After the latter half of the 20th century, the area of lakes and wetlands in Yinchuan's urban district greatly diminished, sharply decreasing from 540,000 mu (approx. 36,000 hectares) before the 1950s to 160,000 mu (approx. 10,667 hectares) in 1988, with water depths also significantly reduced. The main reasons were the lake-filling and land-reclamation movements in the 1950s and 1960s, and the lake-filling and construction activities in the 1970s and 1980s. In recent years, the Yinchuan municipal government has invested in ecological projects in an attempt to restore the lakes and wetlands. Among them, Baohu Lake, Yuehai Lake, and Mingcui Lake have successively been developed into wetland parks. In 2018, Yinchuan's wetland area was 53,000 hectares, with nearly 200 natural lakes and marsh wetlands, and the water area accounted for one-tenth of the city's planned area.

• Jinbo Lake, also known as Ningda Lake, is located within Ningxia University.
• Beita Lake is a lake near the Haibao Pagoda.
• West Lake (Xiao Xihu) (There are two West Lakes in Jinfeng District, Yinchuan; the other is called Da Xihu, which is Yuehai Lake).
• Yinhu Lake is a lake located within Zhongshan Park in Xingqing District, Yinchuan.
• Lijing Lake is located within Lijing Lake Park in Xingqing District, Yinchuan.

4.3 Climate

Yinchuan City has a mid-temperate semi-arid climate with four distinct seasons and scarce precipitation. It features long sunshine duration, strong solar radiation, and significant diurnal temperature variations. Winters are long and cold but not severe, while summers are hot but relatively short without extreme heat. The average January temperature is -7.9°C, with an extreme minimum of -30.6°C (January 4, 1955). The average July temperature is 23.5°C, with an extreme maximum of 39.3°C (July 8, 1953). The annual average temperature is 9.0°C. The average annual sunshine duration is 2,905.8 hours, making it one of the regions in China with the highest solar radiation and sunshine hours. The average annual precipitation is around 180-200 mm, with a frost-free period of approximately 185 days.

Yinchuan City Meteorological Data (1971–2000)

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |-----------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|----------|----------|----------|----------| | Record high °C (°F) | 16.7 (62.1) | 19.4 (66.9) | 26.7 (80.1) | 35.1 (95.2) | 36.5 (97.7) | 37.0 (98.6) | 39.3 (102.7) | 37.8 (100.0) | 35.7 (96.3) | 27.7 (81.9) | 24.0 (75.2) | 15.9 (60.6) | 39.3 (102.7) | | Average high °C (°F) | -0.8 (30.6) | 3.5 (38.3) | 10.4 (50.7) | 18.9 (66.0) | 24.2 (75.6) | 27.8 (82.0) | 29.5 (85.1) | 27.6 (81.7) | 23.2 (73.8) | 16.7 (62.1) | 7.7 (45.9) | 0.8 (33.4) | 15.8 (60.4) | | Daily mean °C (°F) | -7.9 (17.8) | -3.8 (25.2) | 3.2 (37.8) | 11.2 (52.2) | 17.3 (63.1) | 21.5 (70.7) | 23.5 (74.3) | 21.6 (70.9) | 16.3 (61.3) | 9.2 (48.6) | 1.4 (34.5) | -5.5 (22.1) | 9.0 (48.2) | | Average low °C (°F) | -13.7 (7.3) | -9.8 (14.4) | -2.8 (27.0) | 3.9 (39.0) | 10.1 (50.2) | 15.1 (59.2) | 17.6 (63.7) | 16.2 (61.2) | 10.4 (50.7) | 3.1 (37.6) | -3.2 (26.2) | -10.3 (13.5) | 3.1 (37.5) | | Record low °C (°F) | -30.6 (-23.1) | -25.4 (-13.7) | -19.3 (-2.7) | -11.7 (10.9) | -3.8 (25.2) | 3.9 (39.0) | 11.1 (52.0) | 6.8 (44.2) | -3.3 (26.1) | -9 (16) | -15.8 (3.6) | -29.3 (-20.7) | -30.6 (-23.1) | | Average precipitation mm (inches) | 1.2 (0.05) | 2.3 (0.09) | 6.3 (0.25) | 8.3 (0.33) | 18.7 (0.74) | 17.4 (0.69) | 42.8 (1.69) | 51.5 (2.03) | 22.5 (0.89) | 11.5 (0.45) | 2.9 (0.11) | 0.9 (0.04) | 186.3 (7.36) | | Average precipitation days (≥0.1 mm) | 1.2 | 1.4 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 4.1 | 5.6 | 7.9 | 8.7 | 5.7 | 3.4 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 45.1 | | Average relative humidity (%) | 55 | 50 | 49 | 42 | 46 | 56 | 64 | 69 | 67 | 62 | 64 | 62 | 57 | | Mean monthly sunshine hours | 205.7 | 201.1 | 232.6 | 255.5 | 287.1 | 285.3 | 281.8 | 267.2 | 240.2 | 231.9 | 214.3 | 203.1 | 2,905.8 | | Percent possible sunshine | 68 | 67 | 63 | 65 | 65 | 64 | 63 | 63 | 65 | 67 | 71 | 69 | 66 |

4.4 Geology

4.4.1 Soil

Due to the rapid uplift of the mountains, the relative subsidence of the plain, and the constant shifting of river courses, thick Quaternary sediments have accumulated in the Yinchuan Plain. These mainly consist of fine sand, silt, sandy loam, silty clay, and clay, forming favorable conditions for water storage.

5. Administrative Divisions

Yinchuan City currently administers 3 municipal districts, 2 counties, and manages 1 county-level city on behalf of the higher authority.

• Municipal Districts: Xingqing District, Xixia District, Jinfeng District
• County-level City: Lingwu City
• Counties: Yongning County, Helan County

Additionally, Yinchuan City has established the following economic management zones: the National-level Yinchuan Economic and Technological Development Zone and the Ningdong Energy and Chemical Industry Base.

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Permanent Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | |-------------------|-------------------|--------------------|----------------|----------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------| | 640100 | Yinchuan City | Yínchuān Shì | 6,942.86 | 2,859,074 | Jinfeng District | 750000 | 25 | 21 | 6 | | 640104 | Xingqing District | Xīngqìng Qū | 648.08 | 808,282 | Wenhua Street Subdistrict | 750000 | 11 | 2 | 2 | | 640105 | Xixia District | Xīxià Qū | 883.84 | 449,559 | Helanshan West Road Subdistrict | 750000 | 7 | 2 | | | 640106 | Jinfeng District | Jīnfèng Qū | 270.27 | 643,952 | Changcheng Middle Road Subdistrict | 750000 | 5 | 2 | | | 640121 | Yongning County | Yǒngníng Xiàn | 934.06 | 321,618 | Tuanjie West Road Subdistrict | 750100 | 1 | 5 | 1 | | 640122 | Helan County | Hèlán Xiàn | 1,197.57 | 341,507 | Xigang Town | 750200 | | 4 | 1 | | 640181 | Lingwu City | Língwǔ Shì | 3,009.04 | 294,156 | Dongta Town | 751400 | 1 | 6 | |

6. Economy

In 2023, Yinchuan City achieved a regional GDP of 268.563 billion yuan. Specifically, the added value of the primary industry was 9.947 billion yuan; the secondary industry contributed 130.290 billion yuan; and the tertiary industry added 128.326 billion yuan. (2023 Yinchuan Economy (Archived page, stored at the Internet Archive))

The Yinchuan Plain, known for its fertile land, crisscrossing canals, and convenient irrigation, has long been hailed as the "Land of Plenty Beyond the Great Wall." As the saying goes, "The Yellow River brings countless disasters, but benefits only the Hetao region," of which Ningxia constitutes a major part. Yongning and Helan are national-level commodity grain production base counties.

Yinchuan's main grain crops include rice, wheat, corn, and legumes. Its fruits primarily consist of apples, pears, grapes, dates, and wolfberries. The livestock and poultry breeding industry encompasses pigs, cattle, sheep, poultry, as well as special animals like Rex rabbits, meat pigeons, turkeys, and silkworms. Aquatic products mainly include fish, shrimp, and crabs, making it the largest commercial fish base in Northwest China. Leveraging its resource advantages in coal, electricity, and agricultural products, Yinchuan has established an industrial system dominated by chemicals, mechanical & electrical products, food processing, building materials, and biopharmaceuticals.

Yinchuan is home to a number of well-known large and medium-sized retail enterprises, such as Xinhua Department Store, Wumart, Wanda Department Store, Metro, Century Ginwa, BHG, China Resources Vanguard, Beijing Hualian, and Gome Parkson. Furthermore, financial institutions including the Bank of China, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Construction Bank, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of Communications, China Merchants Bank, China CITIC Bank, Bank of Ningxia, Shizuishan Bank, and Yellow River Rural Commercial Bank have branches in the city. In recent years, Yinchuan has been developing its "Three New" industries—new materials, new energy, and new food—based on local conditions. It is fully committed to building the "Three Capitals and Five Bases": "China's New Silicon Capital," "World Capital of Wine," "Computing Power Capital," as well as bases for new energy storage battery manufacturing, intelligent terminals and semiconductor materials production, high-end dairy industry, and deep processing of wolfberries.

7. Transportation

7.1 Aviation

• Yinchuan Hedong International Airport

7.2 Urban Light Rail (Planned)

Yinchuan City plans to construct three intercity rail lines: Yinchuan-Yongning-Lingwu-Wuzhong, Yinchuan-Hedong Airport-Ningdong, and Yinchuan-Shizuishan, along with a light rail connecting line between Lingwu and Ningdong. Upon completion of these three intercity lines and the connecting line, major cities and important economic zones within an 80-kilometer radius of Yinchuan will be connected by light rail. The planned urban rail system includes one loop line and two branch lines. The southern branch leads to the passenger transport hub, and the western branch connects to the Xixia District.

7.3 BRT

Yinchuan City currently has four BRT lines planned. Line 1 commenced construction on April 28, 2012, and began operation in September of the same year. The operating vehicles consist of 18-meter-long articulated buses and 12-meter-long single-unit buses.

7.4 Yinchuan Railway Station

The newly built Yinchuan Railway Station is designed with a scale of 10 platforms and 18 tracks. The East Station Building covers an area of 30,000 square meters and was put into use in December 2011. The newly built Yinchuan South Station serves as a railway hub freight station and comprehensive freight yard. The Taiyuan-Zhongwei-Yinchuan Railway, which opened on January 11, 2011, connects to Yinchuan Station via Yinchuan South Station.

7.5 Railway

7.5.1 High-Speed Rail

• Yinchuan-Lanzhou High-Speed Railway
• Yinchuan-Xi'an High-Speed Railway
• Baotou-Yinchuan High-Speed Railway
• Yinchuan-Bayanhot Railway (Under Construction)

7.5.2 Trunk Lines

Baoji-Zhongwei Line, Ganwu Line, Taiyuan-Zhongwei-Yinchuan Line, Dingbian-Yinchuan Line. Branch Lines: Pingluo-Ruizigou Line, Yinchuan-Xin Railway. Local Railways: Ningdong Railway, Guyuan-Wangjia Railway.

• Baotou-Lanzhou Railway
• Baoji-Zhongwei Railway
• Ganwu Railway
• Taiyuan-Zhongwei-Yinchuan Railway
• Yinchuan-Xi'an Passenger Dedicated Line

7.6 Highways

• National Highway 109
• National Highway 110
• National Highway 211 (0-kilometer starting point)
• National Highway 307 (Current terminal point; planned to extend to Shandan County, Zhangye City, Gansu Province under the National Highway Network Plan (2013-2030))
• G20 Qingdao-Yinchuan Expressway (Terminal point)
• G70 Fuzhou-Yinchuan Expressway (Terminal point)
• G6 Beijing-Lhasa Expressway (Passes through). The section between Yongning County and Helan County in Yinchuan features a parallel route design: the western route is a four-lane dual carriageway, and the eastern route is an eight-lane dual carriageway.
• G85 Yinchuan-Kunming Expressway (0-kilometer starting point). Under construction, with the Yinchuan section already open to traffic.

7.7 Taxis

The starting fare for taxis in Yinchuan is ¥7 (for the first 3 kilometers), followed by ¥1.4 per kilometer. From 22:00 to 06:00, the starting fare is ¥8.4 (for the first 3.5 kilometers), followed by ¥1.5 per kilometer. After traveling 10 kilometers, the fare adjusts to ¥2.1 per kilometer. The free waiting time is 3 minutes. After 3 minutes, an additional charge equivalent to a 500-meter fare is applied for every 1 minute and 30 seconds of waiting.

8. Education

8.1 Higher Education Institutions

• Ningxia University
• Ningxia Medical University
• North Minzu University
• Yinchuan Energy Institute
• China University of Mining and Technology, Yinchuan College
• Ningxia University Xinhua College

8.2 Secondary Schools

• Yinchuan No.2 High School
• Yinchuan No.1 High School
• Yinchuan No.2 High School
• Yinchuan No.3 Middle School
• Yinchuan No.10 Middle School
• Yinchuan No.15 Middle School
• Yinchuan No.17 Middle School
• Yinchuan No.24 Middle School
• Yinchuan Tanglai Hui Ethnic Middle School
• Yinchuan Sanshayuan Upstream School
• Yinchuan Jingbo Middle School
• Yinchuan No.9 High School
• Yinchuan No.6 Middle School
• Yinchuan Experimental Middle School
• Ningxia University Affiliated High School

9. Population

At the end of 2022, the city's permanent resident population was 2.8968 million, an increase of 14,800 people compared to the end of the previous year. Among them, the urban population was 2.3678 million, accounting for 81.74% of the total population; the female population was 1.4659 million, accounting for 50.60% of the total population. The birth rate was 9.59‰, the death rate was 4.46‰, and the natural population growth rate was 5.13‰.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 2,859,074. Compared with the 1,993,088 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was an increase of 865,986 people over the ten-year period, a growth of 43.45%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.67%. Among them, the male population was 1,453,869, accounting for 50.85% of the total population; the female population was 1,405,205, accounting for 49.15% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 103.46. The population aged 0–14 was 516,731, accounting for 18.07% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 1,976,565, accounting for 69.13% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 365,778, accounting for 12.79% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 251,960, accounting for 8.81% of the total population. The urban population was 2,293,656, accounting for 80.22% of the total population; the rural population was 565,418, accounting for 19.78% of the total population.

9.1 Ethnic Groups

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han ethnic group population was 2,145,863, accounting for 75.05%; the population of various ethnic minorities was 713,211, accounting for 24.95%, of which the Hui ethnic group population was 667,606, accounting for 23.35%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han ethnic group population increased by 639,871, a growth of 42.49%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.51 percentage points; the population of various ethnic minorities increased by 226,115, a growth of 46.42%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.51 percentage points. Among them, the Hui ethnic group population increased by 209,728, a growth of 45.8%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.38 percentage points.

9.2 Dialect

Before 1949, the Ningxia dialect, which belongs to the Lanyin Mandarin system, was commonly spoken in Yinchuan. Since modern times, especially after the implementation of the policy of supporting border regions, a large number of immigrants have moved in, leading to a gradual decline in the use of the Ningxia dialect. However, residents can still be heard conversing in the Ningxia dialect on the streets of Yinchuan today.

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10. Sister Cities

• Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (May 23, 2000)
• Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (September 3, 2003)
• Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, Japan (September 24, 2004)
• Utapi, Namibia (August 11, 2005)
• Gyeongsan, South Korea (January 24, 2008)
• İlkadım, Turkey (September 23, 2011)
• Eilat, Israel (July 2012)
• Winelands City, South Africa (September 2012)
• Częstochowa, Poland (August 26, 2013)
• Port Vila, Vanuatu (August 2014)
• Settat, Morocco (October 2016)
• Bollène, France (August 16, 2018)
• Montana, Bulgaria (September 2018)
• Dangjin, South Korea (August 2022)

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Jinfeng District

Xingqing District

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Sophora japonica, Elaeagnus angustifolia

Rose, Iris