Compared with other major cities in North China, Yinchuan is a paradise of fresh air. As the capital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, it has a population under a million. Its tree-lined streets are still relatively empty, with a reputation of being one of the quietest cities in China. It has four distinctive seasons. The temperature difference between day and night is quite large, nearly about 15°C, so warm clothes are indispensable in this city. It rarely rains or snows. The climate is dry, and sandstorms occur frequently. The annual average temperature here is around 8.5 °C, and the annual sunshine hours are between 2,800 hours and 3,000 hours.
The best time to visit Yinchuan is from May to October every year. Though summer temperatures soar greatly, the dry climate makes even the hottest days bearable. During this period, tourists could meet some local festivals. In May and June, the Flower Meet (a traditional song competition) is held in Ningxia. In the middle of September, the International Yellow River Cultural Festival is held in Yinchuan. The thing to be remembered is to pack both spring and autumn clothes at this time. Winter clothes are needed in October.
The spring comes late in Yinchuan, and summer is shorter than that of other places. The autumn comes early, and winter is longer than that of other places. The rainy days mainly occur during June and September.