Huaiyuan Night Market

Huaiyuan Night Market sits beside the University Town in Xixia District, in the western part of Yinchuan, the capital of China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and is described as the largest night market in the city. Because it adjoins a student area, it draws a younger crowd than the old-centre markets, and the atmosphere is energetic, crowded and noisy, with music, vendor calls and sizzling grills. Opening hours run from about 6:00PM until midnight. The food includes beef pie, a pan-fried pastry filled with seasoned beef, spicy hot pot served in small portions, and lamb skewers grilled over charcoal and seasoned with cumin and chilli. Many stalls reflect northwestern Chinese tastes and a number serve halal food, though visitors needing certainty should look for Hui or halal signs at each stall. Seating is informal, with small tables and stools or standing space, and there is no dress code and no reservation system. Prices are low at about 5 to 40 yuan per person, roughly 1 to 6 US dollars, making it possible to try many dishes for little money. Payment is usually by mobile apps, so visitors without them should carry small cash notes. The market is less convenient for travellers staying in the old city, since it lies several kilometres west, and taxi or ride-hailing is the easiest way to arrive. Evenings in late spring through early autumn are the most pleasant, while winter nights are cold and the number of stalls may fall. Visitors who like lively street scenes and want to see how local students and young families eat will find it a worthwhile excursion. Sharing skewers and a pie among a small group allows more variety, and stalls tend to be busiest from 7:00PM to 9:00PM.