Indoor Waterpark at Yellow River Pearl: Tianshan Sea World Visitor Guide
Introduction:
When a 138-meter giant sphere lights up at night and golden patterns ripple like the Yellow River, the northern sky over Yinchuan transforms into a scene of pure magic. This isn’t a movie set but a distinctive cultural-tourism landmark in northwest China — Tianshan Sea World · Yellow River Pearl. It blends the millennia-old echoes of Silk Road camel bells and the epic sweep of Yellow River civilization with adrenaline-pumping indoor water slides and a dreamy marine theatre, creating Yinchuan’s new “urban living room”.
1. Silk Road Pearl’s Modern Transformation
Inspired by the “Silk Road Pearl,” the complex sits like a jewel on the Yellow River bank. The centerpiece, the “Yellow River Pearl” sphere, spans a diameter nearly the size of half a football field. Its façade is crafted from 30,000 uniquely shaped glass panels that catch daylight like a shimmering water surface and at night become a massive projection screen for 10-minute immersive shows such as “The Yellow River Epic” and “Silk Road Blossoms.” Designers digitized elements like Helan Mountain rock paintings and Western Xia reliefs so visitors can literally look up at the stars and touch Ningxia’s cultural DNA.
2. Year-Round Warm Water Fun in the Northwest
In arid northwestern China, the 30,000-square-meter indoor waterpark is a true oasis. Climate-controlled to a comfortable 28°C, it houses the region’s first indoor rafting river — the “Ancient Yellow River Drift.” The 600-meter course threads artificial gorges and desert oases; rafts trigger mechanisms that unleash sudden curtains of water, recreating the drama of Hukou Falls. Among more than 20 attractions, the “Silk Road Skyfall” vertical slide drops riders from 25 meters, while the “Camel’s Back” wave pool produces two-meter sand-like waves every half hour, echoing Shapotou surf and letting even non-swimmers catch surfing thrills.
3. Where the Aquarium Meets Western Xia Mystique
The aquarium breaks traditional exhibit formats by using “Mysterious Western Xia” as its storytelling backbone. Enter through a grotto inspired by Mount Sumeru, and spotted seals glide through a reconstruction of Western Xia water-city ruins while emperor penguins perch in a “Helan Mountain Snow” display. The highlight is a 20-meter-diameter, 360° panoramic tunnel where manta rays pass overhead as projections bloom West Xia totems across the glass. Three daily “Silk Road Legends” mermaid shows fuse Dunhuang flying apsaras with synchronized diving, featuring performers in patterned fish tails executing complex underwater spins among shipwreck remains.
4. A Bustling Commercial Street with Frontier Flavor
The arcade-style shopping street is a “mini Xingqing Palace”: grey bricks and green tiles echo Western Xia palace architecture, but the stalls sell authentic Ningxia flavors. At the century-old Delong Lou, copper-pot mutton hotpot uses Yellow River water for its broth. “Red Willow” grills freshly sliced beach sheep skewers, and glass windows reveal intangible-cultural-heritage artisans making goji berry preserves. Save room for the unique local dish “lamb-and-millet congee” — a hearty porridge once taken as field rations by Western Xia cavalry.
5. Hidden Activities and Local Tips
– The sphere’s top level has a transparent observation deck — at sunset you can view both the Yellow River and the Helan Mountain silhouette simultaneously.
– On Wednesday afternoons, aquarium keepers host a feed-and-talk session where visitors can touch leopard shark egg cases.
– The west side “Camel Market” opens Friday nights, perfect for finding handcrafted Zhongwei felt rugs.
– Waterpark lockers use facial recognition; download the official app in advance to link your reservation.
Practical Information:
Address: No. 9 Binhe Avenue, Central Business District, Yuehai Bay, Jinfeng District, Yinchuan
Transport: Bus 34 to “Yuehai Ski Resort Station” or drive and park at the Yellow River Pearl parking lot (¥5/hour)
Opening Hours: 10:00–22:00 (waterpark stops admitting new guests at 20:00)
Estimated Cost: Combined ticket ¥298 per person (includes aquarium + waterpark); children under 1.2m enter free
Conclusion:
This place delivers both cinematic, otherworldly spectacle and authentic Yellow River culture. When you drift down the indoor river and look up to see Western Xia constellations projected on the dome — or high-five a diver wearing a Hui cap in the aquarium — you’ll realize the new viral landmark’s charm: it tells deep frontier stories with joy, spectacle, and a distinctly local flavor.
