Helan Mountain Rock Art is located on the eastern foothills of Helan Mountain in Helan County, near Yinchuan, Ningxia. It's about 50 kilometers from downtown Yinchuan, taking roughly an hour by car. The combined admission fee and electric cart ride costs 70 yuan.
Upon entering the site, visitors first visit the Yinchuan World Rock Art Museum. It features introductions to rock art from China and other parts of the world, along with reproductions of fine rock art pieces. This provides a basic background on rock art without requiring a lengthy visit. Afterward, take the electric cart from the third floor for a few minutes to reach the rock art site.
The rock art is primarily found on the stone walls of the mountains on both sides of the canyon, separated by a riverbed with only a small stream. You can walk across the stones. Circular paths wind up both sides of the canyon. On the north side, just 20 meters up the slope, you'll find the most famous rock painting, known as the “Sun God.” It depicts a human figure adorned with radiant rays, hence the name. Other distinct and well-preserved paintings include the “Woman Flower” and the “Hunting Scene.” Most are essentially ancient graffiti, limited in detail by the stone medium, yet offering insights into the daily lives and artistic sensibilities of our ancestors. Due to prolonged exposure to wind and rain, many carvings have faded, requiring visitors to engage their imagination.
Beyond the rock art, the canyon itself offers beautiful scenery. The Helan Mountains' landscape differs from other northern ranges, featuring rugged peaks with jagged, sawtooth-like rock formations that create a majestic presence. While the mountains are said to be home to numerous rock sheep, we only spotted a few near the ancient altar at the base. Blending seamlessly with the rock's color, they were nearly indistinguishable without close observation.
From the petroglyph site, it's a short electric cart ride to the Yinchuan Han Meilin Art Museum near the exit. The museum primarily features paintings and sculptures inspired by the petroglyphs. Those interested may spend some time exploring, while others can proceed directly to the exit.
We visited during the latter half of the holiday period, so crowds were manageable with minimal queuing. The entire tour took about three hours. For those unfamiliar with rock art, it's definitely worth seeing. If given the chance, I'd still recommend visiting the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Huashan Rock Art in Guangxi's Zuojiang River.