Having suffered in Shizuishan and now back, I don’t really recommend coming in March
Shizuishan, a small city on the northern frontier in March, is truly an underrated treasure! 🌄 Just got back from there and can’t wait to share my exclusive guide with you all~ At the foot of the Helan Mountains this season, there’s a mix of hardcore industrial ruggedness and the gentle vibe of early spring, making it a perfect spot for photos!
🏜️ Must-visit attractions and how to enjoy them
Shahu Ecotourism Area is definitely the star attraction! A wonder of half desert and half lake, migratory birds start returning in March, and taking a boat through the reed beds feels amazing~ Remember to wear a flowing long dress and shoot a set of “lonely smoke rising straight in the desert” style photos on the sand dunes! Sand sliding and camel riding are also open, making for a full experience.
Bei Wudang Ecotourism Area tickets cost 30 RMB, the best value for money! Hiking along the wooden boardwalk, the air is as fresh as a natural oxygen bar~ The Shoufo Temple halfway up the mountain has a 300-year-old ancient bell; when rung, the whole mountain resonates. From the summit, you get a breathtaking panoramic view of Shizuishan City!
Dawukou Industrial Heritage Park is free! Free! Free! Important things said three times~ The old coal mine equipment transformed into cyberpunk-style sculptures, with a trendy coffee truck hidden under the rusty gantry crane. Wearing workwear here for photos instantly creates vintage-style shots. The mining area auditorium still has slogans from 1961, instantly transporting you back to scenes from “Hi, Mom.”
Xinghai Lake National Wetland Park is also free to enter! Cycling around the lake is super comfortable. In March, the lake surface begins to thaw, and waterfowl dance gracefully~ The sunset reflecting on the lake in the evening is incredibly romantic.
Shitanjing Cultural Tourism and Film Town is the filming location of “Minning Town”! The abandoned mining area’s loess slopes and old office buildings are a paradise for industrial-style photography~ Taking silhouettes in front of the “Mining Club” is especially spectacular when the sunset dyes the mountain red.
🚌【Transportation Tips】
Public buses in the city are very convenient! To Bei Wudang, take bus No. 3 to Forest Park Station; to Xinghai Lake, take No. 201~ For Dawukou Industrial Heritage Park, take No. 1 to the Industrial Heritage Park stop. For cross-district travel, bus No. 202 connects Dawukou and Pingluo with frequent service.
If you want to visit Shahu, it’s recommended to book a one-day tour with a private car on Trip.com, as the attractions are far apart. A private car for a day costs about 300 RMB, which is convenient and hassle-free.
🍜 Food Must-Try List
Breakfast must include Mahei Egg Lamb Offal! This 30-year-old shop’s lamb offal soup base is rich, with silky noodles and lung slices. Eat it with white flatbread, and it’s soul-stirring. Remember to go early; the queue starts at 6:30 AM.
For lunch, head straight to Huangquqiao Stir-fried Lamb, a non-heritage craft! They use 2-3 month old Tan sheep meat, stir-fried over high heat with red oil, crispy outside and tender inside with no gamey taste, and the spicy flavor is addictive. The potato noodles are soft and flavorful—I could eat two bowls of rice with it!
Dawukou Liangpi (cold noodles) is Shizuishan’s culinary signature. The San Residential Liangpi old brand offers thin, translucent, chewy noodles with a secret spicy oil sauce, sour, spicy, and refreshing, very appetizing. Only 12 RMB per serving, great value.
At night, you must try Lahu Hu! An innovative Shizuishan flavor, a less oily soup-based hot pot with a blend of spicy, fresh, and numbing flavors. The beef tendon noodles and potato slices get more addictive the more you eat. The Baolahu Hu Sports Stadium branch is very popular.
📸 Photo Spots
Sunset at the east side of Shahu Sand Sculpture Park, like the Purple Cloud Fairy’s scene 🌅
City panorama from the viewing pavilion halfway up Bei Wudang 🏙️
Industrial-style shots under the gantry crane at Dawukou Industrial Heritage Park 🏗️
Vintage silhouette in front of the “Mining Club” at Shitanjing 🎬
Waterfowl and sunset together on the lakeside boardwalk at Xinghai Lake 🦢
💖 Personal Travel Impressions
What surprised me most on this trip was Shizuishan’s diverse character! In the morning, I was shooting cyberpunk style at hardcore industrial heritage sites, and in the afternoon, watching the sunset by the gentle Xinghai Lake. This contrast is so charming~ In March, there are few tourists, the experience is excellent, and no need to queue for photos.
😫 One hardship
The dryness in the Northwest is no joke! Drinking eight cups of water a day still leaves your mouth dry; lip balm is a must-have~ Also, the temperature difference between morning and night in March is huge. You wear light clothes at noon but have to bundle up in a down jacket at night. Experiencing all four seasons in one day—you know what I mean.
✨ Tips and Friendly Reminders
Three essentials for sun and sand protection: sunglasses, hat, and mask! The desert UV rays are strong, and sandstorms can come suddenly.
The climate is so dry it’s unbelievable; bring lip balm, hand cream, and moisturizing spray.
Respect local Hui customs; dress appropriately when entering mosques.
Some attractions offer discounts if booked in advance on Trip.com, so remember to compare prices~
Temperatures at the foot of the Helan Mountains are low in March, so bring enough warm clothes.
This small city of Shizuishan gave me so many surprises, with both a sense of historical depth and natural healing power~ March is a great time to visit with high cost-performance, fewer people, beautiful scenery, and no need to fight for photo spots.
Do you have any hidden gem travel spots in the Northwest to recommend? Or better tips for traveling in Shizuishan? See you in the comments! 💬