Do you offer private and/or customized trips?

Private trips can be arranged based on availability. This is ideal for families, large groups, or guests who don’t want to join with other travelers. An additional private trip fee will be charged (which is waived for groups of 8 or more). Simply contact us to book so we can check availability.We are happy to make simple customizations to private trips, such as the start time/date or the duration of the trip.Beyond that, we generally do not arrange customized tours. We work very hard to create our tour routes and build strong relationships with our vendors to ensure the quality and service they provide. It’s also important for us to share the stories of each destination and vendor that we visit. If your request involves visiting a destination or vendor that we don’t have an existing relationship with, we will politely decline.

Is this trip family-friendly and what is the price for children?

Children and teens under 21 are not recommended for this trip. Out of respect for our other guests, we strongly discourage children on this trip. Due to limited capacities on our join-in trips, discounts are not provided for children. Contact us with any questions or concerns and we will assess each situation individually.Booking a private trip for your family is always an option, based on availability. This allows you some added flexibility on the timing each day and the ages of everyone joining.

Do you recommend this trip for elderly travelers?

We welcome elderly travelers, but ask that guests use their own judgement to determine whether the itinerary of this trip is appropriate without impacting the experience of other guests. We do not recommend this trip for anyone who is unable to be on their feet for 1-2 hours at a time, or requires mobility assistance such as a wheelchair or walker.Booking a private trip is always an option. This gives you some added flexibility during the itinerary to make sure you have extra time when needed during the day.

Can solo travelers join this trip and why do you charge a single occupancy fee?

Yes! Our join-in trips are perfect for solo travelers because it gives you the ability to travel with others and the advantage of being able to try a large variety of food. All of our join-in trips have a minimum of 4 people. Our website will accept your solo booking and we’ll keep in touch to let you know when the minimum number of people has been met. If it’s not met, and we are unable to reschedule you to another date that works for you, we will provide a full refund for your booking. The single occupancy fee for this trip is $176 USD. This is necessary because accommodation is the largest cost of the entire trip, and it is designed to be split by two people. While we do our best to make this reasonable (the single occupancy fee doesn’t cover the entire gap), it is necessary for us cover this cost.Feel free to contact us at any time if you’d like us to check your dates of interest and we’ll let you know if anyone else has booked the trip or if there are nearby alternative dates.

How much food and wine will I get?

If you know anything about Lost Plate, you know that you’ll never go hungry. All meals are included on this trip. You can expect hotel buffet breakfasts, plus lunches and dinners that offer a huge variety of dishes in large quantities. There’s a reason why we select every single place – whether it’s a restaurant or winery – and our goal is to make these the highlight of your trip!You’ll try 2-4 wines at each the 7 wineries we visit, all included in the price of the tour.

What if I’m vegetarian or have special dietary requests?

All dietary requests must be communicated at the time of booking. When booking online, you will have the opportunity to let us know if you have any dietary requirements or special requests. Please use the following information to understand if this trip is right for you.Yinchuan is a typical “small” northern city where cuisine preferences haven’t evolved like many other cities to the south and east. Meats (mostly lamb) and carbs (mostly wheat noodles) are the go-to choices for every meal. There’s always going to be a lot of meat on the table, but as long as you are ok with that there will be some alternatives for those that don’t eat meat. Please keep in mind that vegetarian dishes will be heavy on the starches (like potatoes and noodles).This tour cannot accommodate severe allergies as we do not have full control over the preparation for your food. Travelers that don’t eat nuts are welcome, but kitchens do use nuts and cross-contamination is possible.If you have any questions not answered here, please contact us prior to booking.

Am I able to arrive early or stay late?

Yes! Feel free to arrive early or stay in Yinchuan after the trip. We are able to pass on our special hotel rates to you so you don’t need to switch hotels as well. Just let us know your dates and we will check rates and availability for you. Please note that airport pick-up/drop-off is not available if arriving/departing outside of our itinerary.

How do I apply for a Chinese visa and is this a service you provide?

We ask all travelers to independently apply for their tourist visa to China. We typically are not arranging your entire trip to China, so this gives you flexibility on the dates and duration for your visa application. We are able to provide documents such as your trip itinerary and hotel confirmations to aid with your visa application. The price of obtaining this visa is not included in the tour price.Visa policies change often and vary by nationality. You should do your own research to understand if your nationality will require a visa, and what the process and timeline is for your nationality.

What is not included in the price of this trip?

Your tourist visa for China.Transportation/flight tickets to and from Yinchuan. This gives you the flexibility to arrive and depart when you would like, on the flights of your choice.Shopping and activities during your free time.While basic travel insurance will be provided by Lost Plate, coverage is not all-encompassing. Each guest should obtain their own health and travel coverage.Optional gratuities for your guide.

How physically fit do I need to be to enjoy this trip?

We’ve rated this trip a level of 1 out of 3. While there are no strenuous activities required during the itinerary, but you will need to be on your feet for 1-2 hours at a time while visiting some of the wineries.

What is the weather like?

This trip is only offered seasonally, generally from May through October, due to extreme winter temperatures. During those times, you’ll find comfortable high temperatures in the mid to upper 20s (celsius) with crisp evenings and mornings. The temperature can swing up to 15 degrees between day and night. Ningxia enjoys more sunshine than almost anywhere else in China, logging over 3000 hours annually, and it is extremely dry. Summertime highs will reach around 35 degrees celsius, and winter can see temperatures as low as -15 celsius.

What information is provided in your China Travel Guide PDF and online pre-trip briefing?

We’re excited to provide all of our trip guests a self-curated travel guide to China. This detailed PDF includes information about the following:Visa policiesMobile plans, internet, and VPNsEssential mobile apps for payment and travelCultural overview & etiquetteLanguage guideHealth & safetyApproximately 1-2 weeks before the trip begins, we will host an online pre-trip briefing and Q&A session for all travelers joining your trip. This will cover important information you need to know before arrival, a review of your itinerary, and time for Q&A. It will last approximately 30 minutes, and a recording will be available for those who are unable to attend the live session.

Wine Taste Through China's Wine Region of Ningxia

3 days / 2 nights

Start & End in: Yinchuan (INC)

Activity Level 1

From $1,150 USD per person

Activity Level 1:

These trips have a relaxed itinerary with modern and comfortable accommodations, have less time in the car, and require low physical fitness (ie; walking during sightseeing for 1-3 hours at a time).

Activity Level 2:

These trips require changing hotels/cities at least once. Locally owned boutique accommodations are comfortable with modern amenities. Some longer car rides exist. Activities like hiking or cycling may be included in the itinerary but are optional.

Activity Level 3:

These longer trips require an adventurous spirit and a moderate level of physical fitness due to the sights that we visit and the varying weather conditions we may experience. Longer car rides will happen due to remoteness or distances traveled.

You can review detailed itineraries for all of our multi-day trips on our website to gain a better understanding about each trip’s activities.

The Essentials:

Discover China’s premier wine destination as we spend 2 days wine tasting our way through the northwest region of Ningxia. From exploring the area’s sprawling boutique vineyards situated against a rugged mountain backdrop, to enjoying copious amounts of lamb, beef, and noodles famous in the area, get ready for a delicious wine-filled adventure!

Price

Join-in trips start at $1,150 USD per person, which may increase slightly due to seasonality. You can browse the calendar for each trip’s specific price. A $300 USD per person deposit is required to reserve your spot. Click here for more pricing details.

Group Size

Small groups of 4-10, or contact us to ask about a private trip

Accommodations

Two nights at the Wanda Realm located in central Yinchuan (or similar).

Inclusions

Highlights

Quick Links:

Day to Day Itinerary:

This itinerary is subject to changes and adjustments based on seasonality and local operations.

Yinchuan

Arrival & Check-In: Airport pick-up is available from INC airport. Flight arrivals should be at or before 3pm. If you arrive early, the nearby Ningxia Museum is a great way to spend the afternoon.

Dinner: Kick things off with a feast: roast lamb with wines featuring one of our favorite winemakers in the region.

Driving: Approx. 45 mins from the airport to the city center.

Wine Tasting

Silver Heights: Perhaps the most well-known Chinese wines internationally, Silver Heights is owned by Bordeaux-graduated Emma Gao who is known as a pioneer of Chinese fine wine. Receiving international acclaim and awards, Emma is the 2nd generation of this family business which started in 1997 when her father started cultivating grapes here.

Lunch: Enjoy a selection of home-style dishes including wild veggies and stew.

Domaine Charme: This architect-owned winery was built at the foot of a mountain peak shaped like a Buddha’s face. Everything here was built with a purpose – from their “pyramid of Charme” which faces the meridian and brings “pyramid energy” to communicate with heaven and earth – to their wine cellar designed with natural ventilation and air flow. But their wine, made with organic cultivation and natural gravity brewing, is really something special too.

Mountain Wave: Ran by a couple who studied winemaking overseas, they took a big bet by planting “less popular” grape varieties when they started in 2015 (Malbec, Marselan, and Pinot Noir). Come find out how their bet has paid off.

Pu Shang: This small boutique winery is the type of place you dream of stumbling upon. The winemaker is so passionate about making wine, he’s too focused on that to open to the public. But his small-batch, high-end wine is truly something special (especially his Marselan, which has consistently received gold and silver awards at the Decanter World Wine Awards every year) and he’ll let us in for a private tasting.

Dinner: Tonight we’ll enjoy another local specialty – lamb hotpot prepared with a special soup made of local herbs and red wine!

Driving: About 45 minutes each way to/from our hotel and the wine region, with short drives between each destination.

Wine Tasting & Departure

Sweet Dew: The spirited owner of this winery is Ningxia’s only millennial winemaker. He also manages the vineyard, designs the wine bottles, and personally packages and ships everything. Come see this passion project first-hand, where skill and humility shine through each bottle.

Xige Estate Wine Tasting & Lunch: As the largest producer of quality wines in the region, Xige Estate is impressive down to every detail. Sitting on 1,300 hectares of land, they boast a wide range of varietals including Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc. Not only will we tour their facilities and try their wines, we’ll also enjoy lunch at their in-house organic restaurant.

Stone & Moon: This passionate team is managed by their French winemaker, who has experience making wine in most of the world’s primary wine regions. With their first vintage only in 2021, it’s already become a guest favorite.

Airport Drop-off: Will be provided to INC airport. Flight departures should be at or after 7pm.

Driving: Today’s wine region is a bit further, so you can expect a 1 hour drive to our first winery and 30 minute drives between each one thereafter, then a 1.5 hour drive to the airport.

Must-See Tour Highlights:

Visit 7 wineries and try over 30 of our favorite locally grown and produced wines.

Get exclusive access to our favorite wineries; a selection of large estates and small-batch boutiques that aren't open to the public.

Learn from local insider and level 3 WSET sommelier, a local wine expert born and raised in Ningxia.

Enjoy local Hui (Muslim) cuisine including savory hotpot and a whole roast lamb alongside more wine.

Wine tasting at each winery includes 2-4 hand-selected wines that showcase their best varietals and vintages.

Enjoy a private lunch at Xige Estate's in-house organic restaurant featuring locally sourced ingredients.

Visit 7 wineries and try over 30 of our favorite locally grown and produced wines.

Get exclusive access to our favorite wineries; a selection of large estates and small-batch boutiques that aren't open to the public.

Learn from local insider and level 3 WSET sommelier, a local wine expert born and raised in Ningxia.

Enjoy local Hui (Muslim) cuisine including savory hotpot and a whole roast lamb alongside more wine.

Wine tasting at each winery includes 2-4 hand-selected wines that showcase their best varietals and vintages.

Enjoy a private lunch at Xige Estate's in-house organic restaurant featuring locally sourced ingredients.

As China’s premier wine region, Ningxia has over 200 wineries (and counting). We’ve personally selected 7 of our favorite wineries, where all wine tasting is included, to visit during this trip. Most of these wineries belong in the boutique category, with winemakers passionate about their craft and too busy to open to the public. We’ll meet these winemakers, explore their vineyards, and taste their wines – making this trip an exclusive experience that you simply can’t do on your own.

One of five autonomous regions in China, Ningxia is home to the Hui (Muslim) minority group. This sparsely settled, mostly desert region is bordered by the Helen mountain range, sheilding the area against the harsh winds and temperatures from the Tengger desert to create prime grape-growing conditions. This unique ecosystem is one of the least studied regions in the world and has historically been one of the poorest regions in China. To this day, most of the vineyard operations are carried out by hand, including burying the vines in winter to protect them from the brutal Siberian cold that lasts from November to March.

Wanda Realm Yinchuan

Accommodations may change based on group size and availability. If so, an equivalent will be used.

Join-in trips require a minimum of 4 people to operate. You should only purchase your transportation to/from Ningxia after you receive a tour confirmation notice. Private tours (for an additional fee) are always an option if your join-in trip does not hit the minimum amount of people.
A deposit of $300 USD per person is required to secure your spot. This deposit is non-refundable for any reason unless the trip is cancelled by Lost Plate due to the minimum group size not being met.
Solo travelers not sharing a room will incur a single occupancy fee of $176 USD. See more details in our FAQ below.
Payment of your remaining balance will be collected 14 days before the trip starts.
If you need to cancel, the amount you have already paid cannot be refunded. This is because spots on each trip is limited, and because we arrange accommodations when you reserve your spot. You are able to transfer your spot to someone else.
Payments can be made by credit card, WeChat, or Alipay.

Wanda Realm Yinchuan

Accommodations may change based on group size and availability. If so, an equivalent will be used.

Join-in trips require a minimum of 4 people to operate. You should only purchase your transportation to/from Ningxia after you receive a tour confirmation notice. Private tours (for an additional fee) are always an option if your join-in trip does not hit the minimum amount of people.
A deposit of $300 USD per person is required to secure your spot. This deposit is non-refundable for any reason unless the trip is cancelled by Lost Plate due to the minimum group size not being met.
Solo travelers not sharing a room will incur a single occupancy fee of $176 USD. See more details in our FAQ below.
Payment of your remaining balance will be collected 14 days before the trip starts.
If you need to cancel, the amount you have already paid cannot be refunded. This is because spots on each trip is limited, and because we arrange accommodations when you reserve your spot. You are able to transfer your spot to someone else.
Payments can be made by credit card, WeChat, or Alipay.