TheophaniaSeattle
4 days / 3 nights
Start & End in: Yinchuan (INC)
Level 1: This is a relaxed trip with high-end accommodations and plenty of wine tasting.
The Essentials:
Discover China’s premier wine destination as we spend 4 days wine tasting our way through the wild northwest wine 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 drink-filled adventure!
Price
From 8,900 RMB per adult based on double occupancy. A 2,000 RMB per person deposit is required to reserve your spot. Remaining balances are collected 14 days before the trip starts. Single occupancy fees from 1,200 RMB per person. Prices change slightly due to seasonality.
Group Size
Small groups of 4-10 guests per tour.
Hotels
Three nights at the Wanda Realm located in Central Yinchuan (or similar).
Activities
Wine tasting at 8 different wineries, visit Helan Mountain petroglyph canyon and art museum, visit the Xixia Imperial Tombs, interactive dinners with wine tastings.
Private Tours
We accept private tour requests for small groups of 2-12 people for any date – based on availability. Contact us if you are interested in this option.
We’ve personally designed this 4-day trip that visits 8 wineries and tries over 30 wines from a region that currently holds over 200 different wineries. Most of the wineries here belong to the boutique category with winemakers passionate about their craft. We’ll meet these winemakers, explore their vineyards, and taste their wines. From small-batch wineries that aren’t open to the public, to large estates with elaborate grounds, you’ll see and taste the best wines this region has to offer – making this trip an exclusive experience that you simply can’t do on your own.
But it’s not just all about wine. This tour will bring you to the capital city of Yinchuan, where almost half of Ningxia’s 6.8 million people live. One of five autonomous regions in China, Ningxia is home to the Hui (Muslim) minority group. This sparsely settled, mostly desert region was often at war with outsiders and was conquered by Genghis Khan and his Mongol army in the 11th century. We’ll see 10,000-year-old petroglyphs on canyon walls and visit 1,000-year-old burial complexes found dotted along the Helan mountain foothills.
These same mountains shield the area against arid winds 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 – home to people who suffered through harsh seasons and relied almost entirely on animal grazing. 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.
Visit 8 wineries and try over 30 of our favorite locally grown and produced wines, all researched and personally chosen by the team at Lost Plate.
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 whole roast lamb, savory hotpot, and oodles of noodles - alongside more wine from our favorite boutique wineries.
Take in the area's deep history while visiting the Xixia Mausoleums which hold over 250 tombs from the Western Xia dynasty.
Stroll through a mountain canyon and discover petroglyphs, known for their rich and concentrated subjects, that date back 10,000 years.
Driving: Approx. 45 mins from the airport to the city center.
Hotel: Wanda Realm Hotel (or similar) located in central Yinchuan.
* This itinerary is subject to changes and adjustments based on seasonality and local operations.
Our Trip Leaders.
We personally select and train every guide that leads our trips. As the pioneers that curate each Lost Plate itinerary, and each bite, we know the ins and outs of every mile we travel. We work along-side local guides to create a perfectly balanced experience that no one else can offer.
“I took this trip immediately after Lost Plate’s other Yunnan adventure (Dali to Lijiang) and the two are very different, but both fabulous. Highlights included dinner at the winemaker’s house in Cizhong and of course Yubeng, which has views that simply cannot be beat. Even if you’re not a regular hiker (I’m not), consider doing the waterfall hike. When you add up the hotels and transport and tours and personal assistance (especially with those pesky Covid tests and health codes), never mind the unending food and drink, I can’t even believe what a value Lost Plate provides. Unless you are a fluent Chinese speaker, you’re not likely to have a more varied, fun, and delicious time in Tibetan Yunnan than by taking this tour.”
TheophaniaSeattle
“From food, wine, places to people who live there. Had such a great experience. Food, wine and scenery. The places visited were further apart so be prepared for three hours drive. Believe me the drives between each places are worth it because the views all around you are breathtaking.”
Internationalbabe001
“What a memorable trip! I’m not usually one to book vacations with tour companies but Lost Plate has me a convert! Everything was so easy, all I had to do was show up! Especially as a parent traveling alone with 2 kids and my Chinese skills are less than proficient, this made our vacation a breeze. I will go on every trip that Lost Plates offers, if I can. From booking to accommodations, activities, tours, timing, transportation, our sweet and knowledgeable guide, Noble, EVERYTHING was spot on. Don’t look any further, just put your vacation in the hands of Lost Plate.”
JMBrooklyn
“This is my second multi-day tour with Lost Plate and I hope it won’t be my last. I saw all the top sights and ate like a queen. I know most people come to Xi’an to see the terracotta warriors and while they are spectacular, there’s so much more to Xi’an and on this tour you’ll get to experience it. The food can be the true highlight in Xi’an, at least when you’re with Lost Plate. It’s hard to choose a favorite meal but I think the evening and morning food tours of the Muslim quarter were my personal favorites. The best part of being with a group is that you can order (and taste) far more dishes than if you were on your own or with just one other person. Plus they’ve done the advance legwork to find you the best places to eat. Highest possible recommendation for anyone who wants the convenience of a tour/guide but an alternative to a big bus tour.”
TheophaniaSeattle
My partner and I loved every single moment of this tour. The itinerary took us through breathtaking scenery off the beaten path, it felt like we went on an adventure! Our guide was incredibly attentive and helpful, and we had a lot of fun spending time with her and the rest of the crew. The food was absolutely delicious and we all looked forward to our next meal despite being still full from the previous one! We’ll definitely join more Lost Plate tours while we live in China.
Ilaria C
I had already been on their evening food tours in Chengdu and Xi’an, and these longer trips had come highly recommended by a friend. It absolutely lived up to her hype. This is an off-the-tourist-trail adventure for sure, which might not be for everyone, but was exactly what I was looking for. The food was always delicious and the travel and accommodations were as good as the areas allowed. I would strongly recommend Lost Plate for an uncommon adventure!
NStowell
If you know anything about Lost Plate, you know that you’ll never go hungry. All meals are included on this trip and offer a huge variety of dishes in large quantities.
We’ll visit 8 wineries during this trip, and gracious pours of a selection of wines will be provided at each one. Each dinner will also feature a selection of wines from another local winery. All in all, you’ll try over 30 wines, and they will certainly be the highlight of the trip.
Lunches and dinners also include beer. Non-alcoholic options such as tea, mineral water, and soft drinks will always be available. Drinks like soda water and cocktails will not be available at the restaurants we visit.
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 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 partake. Please keep in mind that vegetarian dishes will be heavy on the starches (like potatoes and noodles).
Please let us know when paying your deposit if you have any special dietary requirements.
We’ve rated this trip at a level of 1 out of 4, and there is no strenuous activity required during this trip. You should plan to be on and off your feet throughout the day as we sightsee and explore the wineries and vineyards.
Children and teens under the drinking age 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 trips, discounts are not provided for children. Contact us with any questions or concerns and we will assess each situation individually.
Flights to and from Yinchuan are not included. This gives you the flexibility to arrive and depart when you would like, on the flights or trains of your choice.
Yes! Feel free to arrive early or stay extra days. 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 pickup and drop-offs to/from the airport/train station are not available for those that arrive before our itinerary starts or depart after it ends.
The minimum number of guests for this trip is 4, and the maximum is 10-12. All of our trips guarantee a small, intimate group for your pleasure and enjoyment – no big busses and tour guides waving flags here.
Your trip will have one Lost Plate trip leader with you the entire time and one driver/vehicle that stays with us for the entire trip. In addition, you will be joined by a local sommelier.
All of our guides and trip leaders are employees of Lost Plate and trained by our founder. We do not outsource staff like other travel companies.
This trip is only offered seasonally, generally during spring and fall, due to extreme temperatures in the region. 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.
Yes! All of our trips are available for private groups, depending on date availability. Pricing will vary for groups under 8 people, but we always make sure they are reasonable. Groups of 8 or more can enjoy our published price for public tours. Contact us with your request and we’ll let you know specific details and pricing.
Our trips are in high demand and have limited spots. Deposits are non-refundable for any reason, including sickness, unless the trip is cancelled by Lost Plate due to the minimum number of guests not being met. Full payment for the trip is required 14 days before arrival and is not refundable if you need to cancel.
Email: info@lostplate.com
China & Cambodia: +86 156 9210 9030
USA: +1 503 409 5593
WeChat: lostplate
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