Qinghai-Gansu 7-Day Pure Play Travel Guide

A Must-Visit in a Lifetime!! Comprehensive Itinerary for the Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop Late-night effort to summarize the ultimate Northwest China travel guide—straight to the point, all practical tips. If you're planning a trip to Northwest China, check out this note. It will be useful before you set off. Highlights: - **Riyue Mountain**: The largest prayer flag area, perfect for photos. - **Qinghai Lake**: Known as the "Blue Gem of the Plateau." - **Chaka Salt Lake**: The famous "Mirror of the Sky," incredibly photogenic. - **Emerald Lake**: Resembling green gems embedded in the Northwest land. - **Heidushan (Black Alone Mountain)**: Ink painting-like landscapes, reminiscent of a thousand-mile scroll. - **Water Yadan**: Unique wind-eroded landforms, only found in Qinghai. - **Chaka Salt Lake**: Resembling spilled green apple juice in a no-man's land. - **Mogao Caves**: Tickets: A ticket ¥238/person, B ticket ¥100/person. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and a sacred place of Buddhist art. - **Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring**: An oasis in the desert where you can ride camels, slide on sand, and watch the sunrise and sunset. - **Son of the Earth**: The loneliest child resting on the Gobi Desert. - **Zhangye Danxia Landform**: A colorful palette spilled by God, resembling slices of marbled meat. - **Qilian Mountain Grassland**: Experience nomadic life by horseback riding, archery, and wearing Tibetan attire. 7 Days, 6 Nights Itinerary: - **Day 2**: Xining → Riyue Mountain → Qinghai Lake → Chaka Salt Lake → Chaka - **Day 3**: Cross the Qaidam Basin → Chaka Salt Lake → Golmud - **Day 4**: U-shaped Highway → Dongtai → Water Yadan → Yadan Landform Cluster → Dachaidan - **Day 5**: Oil Town → Heidushan → Silk Road Heritage City → Dunhuang - **Day 6**: Mogao Caves → Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring → Shazhou Night Market - **Day 7**: Son of the Earth → Pass by Jiayuguan → Zhangye Danxia Landform Tips: - Many attractions in Northwest China are far apart, and transportation can be inconvenient. It's recommended to join a local pure-play small group tour or rent a car, but be cautious of scams. - The Northwest region is dry with strong UV rays. Bring sunscreen to protect your skin. - Always check prices carefully when dining at restaurants. - Jiayuguan Scenic Area is considered a bit of a tourist trap but worth a quick visit. - Avoid walking barefoot on salt lakes as they are corrosive and can harm your skin. - Be cautious at Emerald Lake; some areas may appear shallow but are actually deep. Locations: Xining, Qinghai, Chaka Salt Lake, Dachaidan Emerald Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, Heidushan.