Editor's note:
Spring and Jingming, poetic Longyuan. With the spring breeze and flowers, I walked all over the land of Longyuan, enjoying flowers, watching birds, and tasting. No matter where you are, no matter how near or far your travel plans are, I hope you will go out for a walk in this vibrant season, choose a favorite self-driving route, feel the warmth and beauty of spring, experience the most real nature, and find the poetry and distance in your heart.
"Charming Golden City" by Wang Zaipeng
Slow down the Ganqing Grand Ring Road
Self-driving route: Lanzhou City - Wuwei City - Zhangye City - Jiuquan City - Jiayuguan City - Yumen City - Guazhou County - Dunhuang City - Dachaidan Town - Dachaidan Devil City - Wusute Water Yadan Geopark - Chaka Salt Lake - Qinghai Lake - Riyue Mountain - Xining City - Lanzhou City
Attraction features: Gansu Qinghai Grand Ring Road self-driving tour route is a more classic self-driving tour route in China. Starting from Lanzhou, crossing the Hexi Corridor, passing through Qinghai Yadan, Dachaidan, Chaka Salt Lake, Qinghai Lake, Xining and other places, all the way back to Lanzhou. Although the Ganqing Grand Ring Road passes through Gansu and Qinghai, it is summarized as the Northwest Grand Loop by the tourism industry because of its diverse landscape elements, which is enough to represent the scenery impression of the entire Great Northwest. Along the way, there are grasslands, deserts, Gobi, salt lakes, Danxia and Yadan landforms and other landscapes, as well as the most beautiful highways as far as the eye can see, and the scenery is excellent. Along the way, snow-capped mountains, grasslands, flowers, river valleys, cattle and sheep, yurts and many other elements are accompanied, and the scenery is as beautiful as a painting.
Itinerary recommendation: Gansu Qinghai Grand Ring Road self-driving travel time is 8-10 days, and the self-driving route is divided into two sections, namely the Gansu section of the Ganqing Grand Ring Road and the Qinghai section of the Ganqing Grand Ring Road.
Gansu section of Ganqing Grand Ring Road: Lanzhou City - Wuwei City - Zhangye City - Jiuquan City - Jiayuguan City - Yumen City - Guazhou County - Dunhuang City - Dachaidan Town; take Lanzhou as the starting point, drive along the G312 all the way, pass through Wuwei City, Zhangye City, Jiuquan City, Jiayuguan City, Yumen City, Guazhou County, Dunhuang City, and then enter Qinghai Province from Dachaidan. Driving all the way, the famous scenic spots along the way are Lanzhou Waterwheel Expo Park, Wuwei Leitai Han Tomb, Liangzhou Baita Temple, Yongchang Lijing Ancient City, Shandan Racecourse, Zhangye Big Buddha Temple, Zhangye National Wetland Park, Zhangye Danxia National Geopark, Jinta Desert Poplar Forest, Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, Jiayuguan, Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring, Dunhuang Ancient City, Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes, Yangguan Scenic Area, Yumenguan Great Wall Ruins, etc.
Qinghai section of Ganqing Grand Ring Road: Dachaidan - Emerald Lake - Dachaidan Devil City - Wusute Water Yadan Geopark - Chaka Salt Lake - Qinghai Lake - Riyue Mountain - Xining City - Haidong City - Lanzhou City; enter Qinghai Province from Dachaidan Town, then drive all the way to the east along G215, G315, S20, G109, along the way, pass through Emerald Lake, Dachaidan Devil City, Wusute Water Yadan Geopark, Chaka Salt Lake, Qinghai Lake (you can drive around the lake), Riyue Mountain, Xining City, Haidong City, and finally return to Lanzhou City. During the self-driving process of the Qinghai section of the Ganqing Grand Ring Road, after arriving in Xining City, you can also drive along the Xizhang Highway, passing through Menyuan Flower Sea, Qilian Mountain Grassland and other scenic spots along the way, and the scenery along the way is breathtaking.
Zhangye Danxia National Geopark
Cultural Corridor and Western Style Line
Self-driving route: Lanzhou City - Wuwei Leitai Han Tomb - Yongchang Lijing Ancient City - Zhangye National Wetland Park - Zhangye Danxia National Geopark - Jiuquan City - Jiayuguan City - Yumen City - Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes - Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring - Dunhuang Ancient City - Yangguan Scenic Area - Yumen Pass - Dunhuang Yadan Devil City
Attraction features: This is a famous "corridor" and the preferred road for outdoor self-driving tours. It is not only a scenic corridor integrating many beautiful scenery such as deserts, Gobi, Danxia, snow-capped mountains, glaciers, forests, grasslands, etc., but also a cultural corridor integrating many cultural heritages such as grottoes, the Great Wall, and border passes. The history and culture of this corridor are extraordinarily splendid, the cultural relics are extremely rich, the artistic achievements have attracted worldwide attention, the simple scrolls, painted pottery, murals, rock paintings, sculptures, ancient city ruins, etc., complement each other, and every scenic spot such as wetlands, ancient cities, Great Wall, desert parks, etc. is like pearls inlaid on this ancient road, forming a beautiful landscape scroll.
Itinerary recommendation: Silk Road self-driving line, self-driving travel time 6-7 days. Take Lanzhou City as the starting point, mainly drive west along the G312 National Highway, arrive at Wuwei along the main line, visit the Lei Tai Han Tomb where the Chinese tourism symbol "Horse Riding Feiyan" was unearthed; continue westward to Jinchang, the Purple Gold Flower Sea has dressed up here as a garden city, and the ancient city of Lijing in Yongchang is full of exotic customs; and then continue westward to Zhangye, passing through Shandan Racecourse, Zhangye Big Buddha Temple, Zhangye National Wetland Park, Zhangye Danxia National Geopark, arrive at Jiuquan, go to Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center to visit the satellite launch; the next stop is Jiayuguan City, "the world's first Xiongguan" Jiayuguan is still majestic; finally cross a large area of Gobi to Dunhuang, check in the world cultural heritage Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes, the crescent moon spring nestled in the embrace of Mingsha Mountain for thousands of years, Yumen Pass and Yang about the desert standing and watching, vicissitudes and magnificent.
Jiayuguan Cultural Relics Scenic Area
Silk Road Culture and History Research Line
Self-driving route: Tianshui City - Maijishan - Bingling Temple - Lanzhou City - Wuwei City - Zhangye City - Jiuquan City - Jiayuguan City - Jiayuguan Cultural Relics Scenic Area - Yumen City - Hanging Springs Ruins - Suoyang City Ruins - Dunhuang City - Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes - Yumen Pass Ruins
Scenic features: Gansu is one of the important birthplaces of Chinese civilization, known as "the root of Heyue, the hometown of Xixuan" and "the hometown of grotto art", and the Silk Road runs through the east and west. There are many world cultural heritage sites along the Silk Road, including 7 in Gansu. Listen to the legendary stories of the "World Expo", watch the classic performing arts projects of the Silk Road represented by "Silk Road Flower Rain", "See Dunhuang Again" and "Dunhuang Grand Ceremony", experience the Silk Road cultural research and tourism products such as "Remembering Dunhuang", "Nine-colored Starry Sky" and "Nishang Buddha Country", visit a series of large-scale cultural professional exhibitions, and personally feel the eternal charm of the Silk Road culture and the endless roots of the Chinese national spirit from the quintessential treasures that have been inherited endlessly. This route is based on the theme of world cultural heritage, and it is also one of the classic self-driving tour routes in Gansu.
Itinerary recommendation: The world cultural heritage research tour route is about 1,800 kilometers, and the self-driving time is about 5 days, starting from Tianshui City (foreign self-driving tourists can start from Xi'an, Baoji, Shaanxi), first drive to Maijishan, visit Maijishan Scenic Area, and visit Maijishan Grottoes, one of the top ten grottoes in China. Then drive all the way to the west, along the way through Bingling Temple World Cultural Heritage Tourism Zone, Lanzhou City, Wuwei City, Zhangye City, Jiuquan City, Jiayuguan City, Jiayuguan Cultural Relics Scenic Area, Yumen City, Guazhou County, Hanging Spring Ruins, Suoyang City Ruins, Dunhuang City, Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes, and the end point is Yumen Pass Ruins, all the way to self-driving, and Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes, Jiayuguan, Maijishan Grottoes, Bingling Temple Grottoes and other world heritage sites in close contact, feel the spiritual shock brought by the brilliant world heritage.
Gannam Zagana
Ethnic customs, grassland wind and light
Self-driving route: Lanzhou City - Yongjing Yellow River Three Gorges - Linxia - Dongxiang - Xiahe - Labrang Temple - Sangke Grassland - Luqu County - Zecha Stone Forest - Gahai Lake - Maqu The First Bend of the Yellow River in the World - Zhagana
Scenic features: The beautiful Gannan tour is characterized by ethnic customs, and at the same time shows the natural scenery of plateau meadows, forest canyons, river valley wetlands, etc., and is a national customs and grassland scenery in Gansu, connecting the Yongjing Yellow River Three Gorges, Bingling Temple Grottoes, Sanke Grassland, Gahai Lake, Zhagana Scenic Area and other classic scenic spots, and it is also your best choice for self-driving. In particular, it enters from the southwest, exits from the northwest, and passes through the first bend of the Yellow River. In this beautiful and rich Yellow River, there are many fascinating and unforgettable grassland landscapes, and Ximei Duohetang is one of them. During the day, you can ride horses and gallop on the vast grassland, sing loudly, watch performances, eat grassland food, and at night, you can experience the unique local customs with a bonfire party.
Itinerary recommendation: The Gannan ethnic customs and grassland sightseeing tour is more than 600 kilometers, and the self-driving time is 6-7 days. From Lanzhou City along the Lanyong Highway to Yongjing, watch the Three Gorges of the Yellow River in Yongjing, Bingling Temple Grottoes, and then go to Linxia along the G213 from Yongjing, pass through Dongxiang to taste Dongxiang hand-grabbed mutton, if it happens to be in April and May in Linxia, in addition to visiting the Thirteen Alleys of Bafang and the East Mansion, you can also see the grace and luxury of the purple-spotted peony; then drive to the Gannan Xia River, pass through Labrang Temple, Sangke Grassland; and then go to Luqu, pass through the Stone Forest, Gahai Lake, you can see the stone city, visit the "Pearl of the Plateau" Gahai Lake, then go to the first bend of the Yellow River in the world of Maqu, and finally arrive at the Diebu Zhagana Scenic Area to experience the Rock Road.
Baiyin Yellow River Stone Forest Scenic Area
Qixia Xiushui Yellow River customs line
Self-driving route: Baiyin City - Yellow River Stone Forest Scenic Area - Baiyin Yellow River Wetland Park - Lanzhou Baili Yellow River Customs Line - Dinosaur National Geopark - Taiji Island - Bingling Lake - Yongjing Yellow River Three Gorges - Bingling Temple - Gannan Prefecture - Luqu County - Maqu The first bend of the Yellow River in the world
Scenic features: The Yellow River, the mother river of the Chinese nation, runs through the north and south of Gansu and flows through the four cities and prefectures of Gannan, Linxia, Lanzhou and Baiyin for 913 kilometers. Standing on both sides of the Yellow River, experience the spectacular scene of "the water of the Yellow River comes from the sky, rushes to the sea and never returns", enjoys the graceful beauty of the Yellow River when it was first formed, appreciates the majestic momentum of the Yellow River after it becomes a river and the high gorge and Pinghu, all the Yellow River culture, urban scenery, natural landscapes, and ethnic customs, you can not only listen to the whispers of the mother river, but also enjoy the picturesque scenery along the way.
Itinerary recommendation: Qixia Xiushui Yellow River customs line is about 600 kilometers, self-driving play time of 4-5 days, starting from Baiyin City, go to the "Yellow River Stone Forest" in the southeast of Jingtai, enjoy the majestic landscape painting combined by the Yellow River, stone forest, desert, Gobi, oasis, farm, etc.; Starting from Lanzhou City, drive along Lanyong Highway, the most beautiful highway in Gansu, cross the Yellow River 4 times, Hekou cable-stayed bridge, Sanjiangkou Bridge, Yanpanxia Bridge, Kongjiasi Bridge, Taiji Island Bridge and other bridges, pass through Dinosaur National Geopark, Taiji Island, Bingling Lake, Yongjing Yellow River Three Gorges, and arrive at Bingling Temple World Cultural Heritage Tourism Area. Finally, continue to drive south from Yongjing, passing through Gannan Prefecture and Luqu County, and arrive at the first bend of the Yellow River in the world of Maqu.
Changba Town, Kang County, Longnan
Longshang Jiangnan landscape wind and light
Self-driving route: Lanzhou - Lintao - Weiyuan Weiheyuan - Shayang Mountain - Guiqing Mountain - Minxian - Hadapu Red Army Long March Memorial Hall - Guan'e Gou - Longnan City - Vientiane Cave
Scenic features: Longshang Jiangnan Landscape Wind and Light is the original ecological natural landscape scenery of Qinlong culture and red culture as the humanistic theme, and there are streams and waterfalls, mountain valleys, and alpine forests, and it is also one of the most beautiful self-driving routes in Gansu.
Longnan has abundant rainfall, humid climate, sufficient sunshine, and high forest coverage, which is a natural oxygen bar. The beautiful Huaqiao Village is located in Changba Town, Kang County, along the provincial highway Baiwang Highway, and is a well-known post station on the North Gate of Kang County and the Ancient Tea Horse Road. Tradition and modernity are perfectly connected, and the traditional Kangbei houses are nestled among the greenery, which has a unique style. Here you can feel the beautiful ecological environment, enjoy the quaint and natural rural beauty, browse the quiet and leisurely rural scenery, and experience the long-standing traditional culture.
Itinerary recommendation: The whole journey of Longshang Jiangnan is about 540 kilometers, and the self-driving time is 6-7 days. Starting from Lanzhou City, arriving at Weiyuan via Lintao, visiting Weiheyuan National Forest Park, then driving along the G212 line, passing through Shayang Mountain and Guiqing Mountain, entering Longnan from Minxian County, which is known as the "hometown of Angelica sinensis in China", visiting the Red Army Long March Memorial Hall in Tangchang Hadapu, visiting Guan'e Gou, staying in Guan'e Gou Zhongqiang-Tibetan Village, and then continuing along the G212 line to reach Longnan City, ending at Wudu Karst Cave "Vientiane Cave". There are also charming villages, Zhujiagou Village, Zhenghe Village, Tianhe Village, Zhangba Ancient Village, etc., which feel that the local area is not beautiful, there are no mountains and no green, the forests are lush, the scenery is charming, and there is a natural picture of original ecology everywhere as far as the eye can see.
Tianshui Fuxi Temple
Emperor Xi's hometown, tracing the roots
Self-driving route: Lanzhou City - Weiyuan Baling Bridge - Qin Culture Museum - Tianshui Fuxi Temple - Maiji Hexagram Taishan - Qingshui Xuanyuan Lake - Qin'an Nuwa Temple - Dadiwan Ruins - Pingliang Dayun Temple, Queen Mother Palace - Qingyang Zhou Zu Mausoleum
Attraction features: Gansu is an important birthplace of the Chinese nation and Chinese civilization, the country's first Chinese civilization inheritance and innovation area and a place for Chinese people around the world to seek their roots and worship their ancestors, enjoying the reputation of "Xixuan Sangzi". Tianshui is the birthplace of Fuxi, Nuwa, Xuanyuan Yellow Emperor and the birthplace of Fuxi culture, and is known as "the hometown of Emperor Xi" and "the hometown of Xuanyuan". The five cities of Tianshui, Longnan, Dingxi, Pingliang and Qingyang have rich ancestral culture and profound historical heritage. The route is characterized by Fuxi culture, Yangshao culture, and Buddhist cave art, accompanied by natural scenery such as alpine forests and plateau meadows.
Itinerary recommendation: the hometown of Emperor Xi, the journey to find the roots and visit the ancestors is about 900 kilometers, the self-driving time is 4-5 days, starting from Lanzhou City, along the G75, G316 to Weiyuan to enjoy a classical pure wood structure horizontal cantilever arch bridge - Baling Bridge; continue to drive all the way to the south, to Lixian County to visit the Gansu Qin Culture Museum; and then drive to the north, along the way through Tianshui Fuxi Temple, Yuquan Temple, Hu's ancient residence, Guatai Mountain, Qin'an Nuwa Temple, Dadiwan Ruins, and finally go to Pingliangjingchuan Dayun Temple· The Queen Mother Palace, and then to the Nanliang Red Tourist Scenic Spot, Qingcheng Zhou Zu Mausoleum, and Ziwuling Forest Park.
Nanliang Red Tourist Scenic Spot
Kongtong asked, Red Sacred Trace
Self-driving route: Lanzhou City - Dingxi City - Huining Red Army Division Site - Jingning County - Liupan Mountain - Pingliang Kongtong Mountain - Jingchuan Dayun Temple - Queen Mother Palace - North Grotto Temple - Yaowang Cave Health Town - Zhou Zuling - Nanliang Red Tourist Scenic Spot
Scenic spots: The red tourist route is characterized by red culture and Daoyuan culture, and at the same time shows the landform of the loess plateau and the natural scenery of Kongtong Mountain, and is also a classic self-driving tour route in Gansu. Go to Huining to see the Red Army Divisional Building, relive the red classic years, arrive in Pingliang City, visit the first mountain of Taoism "Kongtong Mountain", feel its beauty and diversity, go to Jingchuan to visit the Queen Mother Ancestral Temple, Queen Mother Palace, Dayun Temple, Zhou Zu Mausoleum, and then go to Huachi County to visit the Nanliang Red Scenic Area, relive the magnificent epic.
Itinerary recommendation: Kongtong Wendao Red Tourist Line is about 660 kilometers, and the self-driving time is about 4 days. Starting from Lanzhou City, passing through Dingxi and Huining along the way, visiting the former site of the Red Army Division in Huining; then passing through Jingning County through Longde County and Liupan Mountain in southern Ningxia to reach Pingliang City, looking for the first mountain of Taoism "Kongtong Mountain"; and finally passing through Jingchuan Dayun Temple, Queen Mother Palace, North Cave Temple, Zhou Zu Mausoleum, and finally arriving at Nanliang Red Tourist Scenic Spot.
(Source: Gansu Daily)