The Western Xia gallery
Coins, manuscripts and seals.
Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D. — CC0 · Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D. — CC0 · BabelStone — CC BY-SA 3.0 · BabelStone — CC BY-SA 3.0 · BabelStone — CC BY-SA 3.0 · BabelStone — CC BY-SA 3.0 · BabelStone — CC BY-SA 3.0 · BabelStone — CC0
The main museum of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, whose present building opened on 28 August 2008 for the region's fiftieth anniversary; it spans some 30,000 square metres in eight exhibition halls, its design takes the shape of the Chinese character «Hui», and it was named a national first-grade museum in 2012. The museum holds more than 38,000 objects, and its halls tell Ningxia's story from prehistory to modern times; the highlight is the Western Xia gallery with its coins, seals, manuscripts in the state's own script and printed books, and its most prized piece is a gilded bronze reclining ox from that era. There is also an exhibition of Hui Muslim heritage, whose collection includes a handwritten Qur'an bound in cowhide, and one of rock carvings from the Helan Mountains. Entry is free with advance booking through the museum's WeChat account, from 9 am to 5 pm with last entry at 4.30 pm, closed on Mondays except public holidays, per visitor guides.
Coins, manuscripts and seals.
Including a handwritten Qur'an.
The prize of the collection.
6 Renmin Guangchang East Street, Jinfeng District, Yinchuan
Yes, entry is free but must be booked in advance through the museum's WeChat account, and the museum is closed on Mondays except public holidays, per visitor guides.