Are you tired of the hustle and bustle of the city, and are eager for a quick trip to feel the magic of nature and history?
This mysterious northwest ring road connects more than 20 essential scenic spots in Gansu and Qinghai, including desert, Yadan, Danxia, Gobi, grottoes, snow-capped mountains, lakes, grasslands, flowers, temples, uninhabited areas, salt lakes, mountains and many other landscapes.
It is a complete route with no turning back, allowing you to enjoy the vastness of the desert, the splendor of Danxia, the tranquility of the lake and the majesty of the snow-capped mountains during the journey.
Transportation
How to get to the Northwest
- By plane: Xining is preferred, or transfer from Lanzhou and take a bullet train (about 2 hours) to Xining. There is no direct bus at Xining Caojiapu Airport, so you need to take a flight bus to Bayi Road, and then transfer to a bus to your destination.
- Train: Xining Railway Station is merged with the railway station and is located in the eastern district of the city, with convenient transportation.
- Car: Xining Automobile Passenger Transport Center provides tickets to popular scenic spots, but it is recommended to avoid buying round-trip tickets directly to avoid unnecessary costs.
Get a glimpse of the itinerary
Qinghai Lake - facing the sea, spring flowers are blooming
✨ Qinghai Lake, known in Tibetan as "Tsowenpo", meaning "blue sea", is the third largest saltwater lake in China and the largest inland saltwater lake in Asia.
This mysterious plateau pearl, located in the northeast of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, in Qinghai Province, is formed by the fault collapse between the Datong Mountain, the Riyue Mountain and the Nanshan Mountain of Qinghai in the Qilian Mountains, and is an important water body to maintain the ecological security of the northeast of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
Tickets: 90 yuan/person, round-trip tram 20, ferry ticket 150
Best time to visit: April to August, especially from July to August, when the rape flowers are in full bloom and the blue water of the lake is beautiful.
Chaka Salt Lake - The Land of the Sky
✨ In Tibetan, "Chaka" means salt pond, while in Mongolian it is called "Dabsunnaoer", which means sea of green salt.
This natural salt lake in Chaka Town, Ulan County, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Prefecture, Qinghai Province, attracts countless tourists with its more than 3,000 years of salt farm history and unique natural scenery.
Chaka Salt Lake is not only a mirror, but also a picture. The lake water is extremely salty and naturally crystallizes into a white lake that reflects the sky, the clouds and the mountains on the opposite shore.
Here, you can walk on the surface of the lake and watch your own reflection, as if you are in the sky.
In the scenic area, a railway extends deep into the lake, and you can take a small train to get there, and the scenery along the way is extremely pure. Of course, if you want to experience the fun of hiking, you can also walk along the passage to the lake and feel the white and pure Chaka Salt Lake.
On a sunny day, the water of Chaka Salt Lake is extremely crystalline, and the brine covers it, forming a thin layer of white, and the scenery and reflections are clear and pure, like a dream.
In the sculpture area, you can see the stone carving of the goddess of the salt lake and more than a dozen huge salt sculptures, with different shapes, including Maitreya Buddha, Genghis Khan, etc., adding a bit of mystery and artistic atmosphere to this salt lake.
Yadan on the water
Wusut Yadan Geopark, located in the northwest of the Qaidam Basin in Qinghai, is the world's largest and most spectacular Yadan community, covering an area of about 21,000 square kilometers.
The Yadan landform and lakes here are intertwined, forming the world's earliest water-based Yadan landscape.
The uplift of the surface of the Jiner Lake gradually submerged the Yadan group on the northern edge, forming this unique water Yadan.
From sunrise to sunset, the scenery here is like a magical castle.
Zarkhan Salt Lake
Located in the north of Golmud City in the west of Qinghai Province, Zarhan Salt Lake is the bright pearl of Qinghai and the largest soluble potassium and magnesium salt deposit in mainland China, known as the "King of Asian Salt Lakes".
The ticket includes 78 yuan for one person
It is about 60 kilometers away from the city of Golmud, and can be easily reached by chartered car or self-driving Qinghai-Tibet line from Golmud. The salt factory is a large area and you will need to drive to get around, but please note that you will need to have a visit card to register to enter.
️The first thing that catches your eye is the Salt Lake Museum, which displays the history of the formation of the salt lake and the mining process in the two-story building, and there are more beautiful salt flower crystals waiting for you to explore.
Moving on, there is the famous Wanzhang Salt Bridge, a road paved with salt, the hardness is no different from that of an asphalt road, and it can be restored by pouring brine when damaged, which is extremely magical.
Standing on the salt bridge, as far as the eye can see, the salt crystals on both sides of the salt lake are as white as snow, the lake water is transparent and green, the salt pillars are naturally crystallized, and the scenery is picturesque. On a sunny day, the reflection in the lake is a great way to take pictures.
Dongtai Jiner Lake - Little Maldives
Tucked away in the Qaidam Basin of Golmud City, Dongtai Jiner Lake is a sparkling jewel of a large lithium deposit dominated by brine, so the lake has a mesmerizing blue color that is indescribably beautiful.
The lake is so vast that it seems that there is no end in sight. The crystal clear water of the lake and the blue sky and white clouds complement each other, and the sea and sky are the same color, making people feel as if they are in a fairyland. The white salt flats shimmer in the sun.
Photo Tips: Due to the size of the lake, you don't need to crowd into crowded places near the entrance. Walk deeper and you'll find a quiet place with fewer people, perfect for shooting. If you can, bring a drone to take aerial photography and you'll be able to capture even more stunning scenery.
Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake: The Bright Pearl of Qinghai, the Beautiful Tears of God!
Located on the northeast side of Ikechaidam Lake and 10 kilometers northwest of Dachaidan Town, this pearl on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was originally the mining area of the salt lake mining team of Dachaidan Chemical Plant. The lake water is clear and blue in the sun, and the color is like jade, so it is named "Emerald Lake".
When the wind is calm, the lake is like a mirror, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds and the snow-capped peaks of Qaidam Mountain, which is breathtakingly beautiful. Intertwined in many colours, from blue to green, each lake holds a secret of nature. The Emerald Lake from the perspective of the drone is even more stunning, like a fairyland.
There is a small train in the scenic area, 60 yuan back and forth, go straight to the deepest part, and then one station to play outside. However, it should be noted that all terraces are unshaded, so be sure to take sun protection measures. Walking is also possible, but the view is even better when you go deeper.
It is very cost-effective, not only can you shoot the lake, but also the effect of the mirror of the sky, which is not inferior to the Chaka Salt Lake. After getting off at the end of the small train, don't be obsessed with the light blue in front of you, the beautiful scenery is waiting for you to explore in the depths. Practical tips:
- Emerald Lake is currently not fully developed and its facilities and services need to be improved, but because of this, it retains its pristine beauty.
- The salt grains on the lake are rough, and comfortable shoes are recommended. Walking in the water is comfortable, but please move in shallow water.
- The starry sky and sunrise are another attraction at the Emerald Lake, so if you have time, you can spend the night and soak up the magic of nature.
Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring
To the south of Dunhuang city, there is a beautiful desert wonder - the crescent spring of Mingsha Mountain. The coexistence of sand mountains and clear springs here is like the magic of nature.
Climb Mingsha Mountain, overlook the tranquility and beauty of Crescent Spring, and feel the desolation and vastness of the Northwest Desert. When the sun sets, the sunset over the desert is even more breathtaking, and it is definitely worth your stop.
The crescent moon spring, like a bright pearl, is embedded in the sand mountain. Its existence, as if it is a gentle gift from nature to the desert, is known as the "eye of the desert", which makes people marvel.
There are also a variety of amusement projects waiting for you to challenge in the scenic area, such as riding a camel through the desert to feel the vastness and grandeur of the desert, and sand skiing down the mountain to experience the perfect combination of excitement and speed.
Tips: The sand top is windy, remember to prepare an anti-sand mask!
Mogao Grottoes
️Mogao Grottoes, also known as the Thousand Buddha Caves, is located in the southeast of Dunhuang and is a bright pearl of Buddhist art. Beginning in the Eastern Jin Dynasty and lasting for thousands of years to the Yuan Dynasty, it is a treasure trove of Buddhist art around the world, with its rich collection of murals, grottoes and cultural relics.
Today's Mogao Grottoes Scenic Area is composed of two parts: the digital exhibition center and the grottoes, and the joint ticket system is implemented. In order to ensure the excursion experience, a reservation system has been in place since 2014, with a daily limit of 6,000 people.
Once you've made an appointment, you'll first need to head to the Digital Showcase to watch two exciting films. "Millennium Mogao" takes you on a journey through history and delves into the cultural heritage of the Mogao Grottoes, while "Dream Buddha Palace" shows the mysterious grottoes that have not yet been opened in the form of a dome movie.
After watching the movie, take the shuttle bus directly to the grotto area. Guided by a professional guide, you'll visit 8-10 selected grottoes in batches, each full of frescoes and statues. Buddha statues, flying heavens, fairies...... The shapes are different and lifelike. The whole visit takes about 1 hour, and it is definitely a feast for the eyes and souls.
Jiayuguan
Jiayuguan Guancheng, located 5 kilometers west of Jiayuguan City, is the starting point of the western section of the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty, and is known as "the first Xiongguan in the world". Here, history and modernity are intertwined, and every brick and tile tells the story of a thousand years.
The ticket pass system allows you to visit the entire scenic area at once. Walk or bike, whatever you want. The circumference of the panoramic area is about 4 kilometers,
The Black Mountain stone carving group at the entrance, the seven parks have their own characteristics. From celebrity inscriptions to ancient poems, from chronicles to stories, each stone carving embodies the history and culture of Jiayuguan.
The Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum, with advanced internal equipment, displays the history, culture and cultural relics of the Great Wall and Jiayuguan. Here, you can get an in-depth understanding of the splendor and vicissitudes of the Great Wall.
️ Inside the city, the inner city, the outer city, the city tower, the arrow tower, the enemy tower...... The building is majestic and the layout is exquisite. Climb the city wall, overlook the foothills of the Qilian Mountains, the Gobi grassland at your feet is magnificent and boundless, and the sense of tragedy and grandeur of history arises spontaneously.
Zhangye Colorful Danxia - Nature's Palette
Located at the northern foot of Qilian Mountain, Zhangye Colorful Danxia is a beautiful fusion of colorful hills and Danxia landform.
The total area of the scenic area is 50 square kilometers, with 7 viewing platforms and more than 30 beautiful landscapes, which will make you dizzy. From the close-up mountain shooting of the Colorful Xianyuan Terrace, to the panoramic overlook of the Colorful Cloud Sea Terrace, to the sunset and sunset of the Colorful Terrace, each place has its own unique charm.
The colors here, from red to orange, from yellow to green, are so colorful that it is as if the palette of nature has been overturned.
By taking the cable car, you can easily overlook the entire Danxia landform and feel the magnificence and vastness of nature. Hiking, photography, it's a great place to go.
315U-shaped Internet celebrity highway
G315 National Highway, the highway from Xining City, Qinghai Province to Kashgar, Xinjiang, with a total length of 3063 kilometers, is affectionately known as "China's version of Highway 66" by netizens.
Imagine that from Golmud to Usut Water Yadan, the road surface undulates with the terrain, like a ribbon dancing in the desert, and the visual impact is MAX!
However, it should be noted that the G315 U-shaped highway is not a special tourist route, it is an important passage connecting Qinghai and Xinjiang, and heavy trucks often pass by. Especially on steep slopes, the driving risk can be quite high. Therefore, while enjoying the beautiful scenery and taking pictures, you must remember that safety comes first!
Menyuan Prairie
Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai hides a secret of midsummer - Menyuan rape flowers. Here, it is not only the rape flower base of Qinghai, but also the bright pearl of the oil production area in Northwest China.
Different from the gentleness of the south, July here is the season of rape flowers, and a golden dream is waiting for you to explore.
The rape flowers in Menyuan are completely different from those in the south. They stretch from Qingshizui to Yulong Beach, reach Lenglongling in the north, and reach Osaka Mountain in the south, with a hundred miles of golden, and there is no end in sight.
Against the backdrop of the blue sky and white clouds of the plateau and the snow-capped mountains, this sea of rape flowers is like a magnificent picture of the great northwest, overwhelming and magnificent.
Two viewing points are especially recommended: Yuanshan Flower Viewing Platform in Qingshizui Town and Nanshan Mountain opposite the County Cement Factory. Here, you can overlook the sea of rape flowers in the entire Haomen River, as well as the perennial snow-covered Lenglongling and Gangshika Snow Peak. The resulting photos will be a perfect blend of spring, summer, autumn and winter.
In this million acres of rape flowers, it seems that every step can step on the golden waves. Standing on the side of the road, on one side is the golden rape flowers and the green barley, and on the other side is the endless sea of flowers and snow-capped mountains.
Climbing over Mt. Daban, you can overlook this spectacular sea of flowers and snow-capped peaks.
Precautions
1. List of must-have items:
- Sunglasses: A must-have for the Gobi Salt Lake in the desert to protect your eyes from glare light.
- Sunscreen: sunscreen, sun hat, all-round sun protection.
- Moisturizing skincare: Keeps skin hydrated and fights dry climates.
2. To visit the Mogao Grottoes, you must reserve tickets in advance
3. Qinghai Lake play tips: Be cautious when taking pictures of cattle and sheep on the roadside to avoid being asked to pay.
4. It is recommended to take a sightseeing bus to enter the scenic area, and the lake is widely distributed. 5. Wear a hat or silk scarf to prevent the invasion of wind and sand.
6. When you first arrive in Qinghai, please take full rest, drink more water, eat more fruits, and adapt to the plateau environment.
7. The weather in the northwest is changeable, please be prepared to deal with the change of cold and warm at any time.
8. The terrain in the northwest is steep, and those who are not familiar with the road conditions are not recommended to travel by car, and it is recommended to choose a local group, which is safe and worry-free.
What to wear
Qinghai Lake: White or yellow solid color long skirt is recommended, elegant and fresh.
Chaka Salt Lake: Avoid bright red dresses to reduce clashes, and yellow, white, and green dresses are equally impressive.
Mingsha Mountain: Avoid yellow clothing to avoid mixing with the desert.
Zarkhan Salt Lake: White dresses, red dresses, and clothes of all colors are suitable.
Colorful Danxia: Avoid bright colors and keep a low profile.
Qilian Mountain Prairie: Pastoral style suit, showing the charm of small freshness.
Emerald Lake: Versatile long dress, simple and not fancy.
Dongtai Jiner Lake: Inclusive of all colors, long skirts are especially outstanding.
Yadan landform: ethnic style or cool clothing, bright accessories add charm.
Halfway: Western denim is best.
Qilian Grassland: Pastoral style clothes set, small and fresh feeling.
Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring/Film and Television City: The exotic style is more matched, and the long skirt adds a fairy atmosphere.
Route recommendation
1. Gather in Xining City (free and easy throughout the day) Itinerary: about 30KM
2. Xining - Qinghai Lake - Chaka Salt Lake - Chaka / Delingha Itinerary: about 295KM
3. Delingha - U-shaped Internet Red Highway - Dongtai Jiner Lake - Water Yadan - Dachaidan Town Itinerary: about 207KM
4. Dachaidan - Emerald Lake - Oil Town - Dunhuang Itinerary: about 368KM
5. Dunhuang - Mogao Grottoes - Mingsha Mountain - Crescent Spring - Dunhuang Itinerary: about 29KM
6. Dunhuang-Zhangye Colorful Danxia-Zhangye Itinerary: about 595KM
7. Zhangye - Biandukou - Qilian Mountain Prairie - Xining Itinerary: about 339KM
Imagine driving through the vast Gobi Desert with rolling snow-capped mountains and vast grasslands in front of you, or standing on Mingsha Mountain, listening to the sound of the wind and sand for thousands of years, and feeling the unique desolation and magnificence.
Here, you can not only enjoy the magic of nature, but also explore the ancient ruins of the Silk Road, and feel the depth and depth of that history. 2k+ can get the same itinerary.
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