The Capital of the Ningxia Hui Muslim Region

In the midst of arid desert, the muddy brown Yellow River, China's second longest, is the essential lifeline that flows through the heart of Yinchuan, Ningxia. (Stephanie Ho/VOA)

Many of Yinchuan's road signs are trilingual – with Arabic script alongside Chinese characters and western romanization. (Stephanie Ho/VOA)

Na Jia Hu has more than 500 years of history and is one of the oldest surviving mosques in China. (Stephanie Ho/VOA)

Seventy-four year old villager Na remembers when Na Jia Hu was almost torn down during the Cultural Revolution, but was saved because elderly villagers resisted and the mosque was being used as a copper factory at the time. (Stephanie Ho/VOA)

Elderly Huis, who attend prayer services and chat with their neighbors, are regular visitors to the Na Jia Hu Mosque courtyard. (Stephanie Ho/VOA)

Butchers cut halal meat at a stand near Na Jia Hu Mosque. In its bid to attract Muslim trade, Yinchuan has focused on the production and sale of halal food. (Stephanie Ho/VOA)

The main entrance to the China Hui Nationality Culture Garden, on the outskirts of Yinchuan, resembles the Taj Mahal and was opened in 2005 to celebrate Hui Muslim cultural identity. (Stephanie Ho/VOA)

The Hui Museum shop inside the garden displays a variety of women's headscarves. Hui women are subject to clothing rules that are less strict than other Muslim groups, and Hui Muslims allow women to become imams. (Stephanie Ho/VOA)

A roadside billboard advertises Arab language studies at a nearby school. An increasing number of Hui students choose to study Arabic as a way to help them find better jobs in business and trade after graduation. (Stephanie Ho/VOA)

A woman drives her motorbike through the almost empty square in front of the Yinchuan International Trade Mall, which is aimed at spurring development of the region's commerce in mostly Islam-related products. (Stephanie Ho/VOA)

Muslims make up more than a third of Ningxia's six million people. Xihuan Mosque in downtown Yinchuan is one of the the more than four thousand mosques in Ningxia. (Stephanie Ho/VOA)