Qinghai Micro Guide Takes You on a Spontaneous Trip
I love the flowers of spring, the trees of summer, the dusk of autumn, the sunlight of winter, and you every day.
—— "Spring, Autumn, Winter, and You"
12 people, 19-seat vehicle on the Qinghai Lake Dunhuang Grand Loop, poetry and distance together.
Day 1: August 24: Fly to Xining from various places, 19-seat vehicle arranged to pick up and transfer to hotel, Vienna Hotel on South Street, Xining, breakfast included.
Day 2: August 25: Xining – 80 km Daban Mountain Viewing Platform – 12 km Menyuan Rapeseed Flowers – 120 km Qilian Mountain Grassland – 21 km Arou Grand Monastery – 27 km Qilian Zhuor Mountain – Stay in Qilian.
1. Take 19-seat vehicle to Daban Mountain Viewing Platform (altitude). Suggested visit about 30 minutes, drive about 1 hour, 80 km, free admission; then continue to Menyuan, rapeseed flowers have withered, short stay about 30 minutes.
Lunch: Eat in Menyuan county town; restaurant can be recommended by the driver or chosen based on teammates' tastes.
2. From Menyuan take 19-seat vehicle to Qilian Grassland, visit about 1.5 hours, drive 2 hours, free admission.
Overview: Qilian Grassland is one of China's six largest grasslands.
Worth experiencing: You can freely ride horses on the vast grassland (be careful).
3. Go to Arou Grand Monastery, visit about 1 hour, drive 10 minutes, no entrance fee.
Overview: The monastery started small in scale, and in the 1940s, with support from Arou Chieftain Namkha Tsering and Baidu Aduo and others, it expanded and became the largest Gelug monastery in Qilian County.
(1) The area around the monastery is cool with large temperature differences between day and night; bring warm clothes. (2) The monastery has not yet been developed as a tourist site; keep quiet when visiting, do not take photos inside the halls, and do not disturb monks in practice.
4. Continue to Qilian Zhuor Mountain, 27 km, 40 minutes, ticket 85 RMB (including sightseeing car).
Overview: Known as the "Little Switzerland of the East," close to the Babao River and facing the sacred mountain Amidongsuo (Niuxin Mountain) across the river.
5. After breakfast, visit the national AAAA Zhuor Mountain Scenic Area (tour about 1.5 hours), called "Zongmu Mayouma" in Tibetan, meaning beautiful rosy queen. Enjoy a moment of tranquility in the sunset glow. Zhuor Mountain faces the sacred mountain Amidongsuo (Niuxin Mountain) across the river.
Dinner: Eat in Qilian county town; restaurant can be recommended by the driver or chosen based on teammates' tastes.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Qilian Hotel.
Day 3: August 26: Qilian – Ebo Ridge – Biandukou – Mati Temple – Stay in Zhangye.
1. Take 19-seat vehicle to Ebo Ridge, suggested visit about 30 minutes; continue to Biandukou Scenic Area, suggested visit about 1 hour.
Lunch: Meal recommended by the driver based on time. The scenery along the way is nice; you can ask the driver to stop anytime to enjoy the view, but be careful.
2. From Biandukou take 19-seat vehicle to Mati Temple, visit about 2 hours, drive 2 hours, ticket 73 RMB.
Overview: A tourist area integrating grotto art, Qilian Mountain scenery, and Yugu ethnic customs.
Worth experiencing: Mati Temple got its name because a legendary heavenly horse left a hoof print here while drinking. The legendary hoof print is preserved in the Mati Hall of Puguang Temple, becoming the temple's treasure.
3. From Mati Temple take 19-seat vehicle to Zhangye city, drive 1 hour.
Worth experiencing: Taste local specialties for dinner. Ganzhou Alley recommended for its wide variety of local dishes (rolled chicken, fried artillery noodles).
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Zhangye Fulai Deng Hot Spring Holiday Hotel, five-star, breakfast included (can soak in hot spring).
Day 4: August 27: Zhangye – Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon (China's most beautiful grand canyon) – Great Buddha Temple (in city) – Stay in Zhangye.
Take 19-seat vehicle to Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon, suggested visit about 4 hours, drive 1 hour, ticket reference price 130 RMB. Overview: It is the closest to a city among China's composite tourist attractions integrating natural wonders, canyon adventure, geological research, ethnic customs, and self-driving off-road. One of the most beautiful landscapes in Zhangye's landform garden. Praised by "China Geographic Magazine" and Chinese and foreign geological experts and tourists as "rivaling Zhangjiajie," "comparable to the Grand Canyon," and a new discovery on the Silk Road. Billions of years of wind and rain, nature's magical creation. Deep gorges, unique peaks, nature carves colorful mountains into incomparable, soul-stirring landscape paintings.
Lunch: Eat in Zhangye city. Recommended: Hesheng Dapanji Restaurant; reason: good environment.
2. [Afternoon schedule is lighter] From city restaurant take 19-seat vehicle to Great Buddha Temple (in city), visit about 1 hour, drive 3-4 minutes, ticket reference price 40 RMB.
Overview: An important historical and cultural site on the Silk Road, and a landmark of the historical and cultural city of Zhangye (Jin Zhangye). Open attractions include the Great Buddha Temple built in Western Xia, the Ten Thousand Year Wooden Pagoda from Sui Dynasty, the Maitreya Thousand Buddha Pagoda from Ming Dynasty, Bell and Drum Tower, and the famous Shanxi Guild Hall from Qing Dynasty. Ancient buildings, towering trees, green grass, beautiful environment.
Dinner: Eat in Zhangye city.
*Zhangye snacks are famous, such as Cuo Yuzi, La Tiaozi, Sao Mian, Liang Pi, Chao Pao, Jiu Mian Pian, Yu'er Fen, etc., everywhere, unforgettable. Also, doufunao, hui dou tang, laozao, machang yogurt and other special drinks are favorites of Zhangye people.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Zhangye Fulai Deng Hot Spring Holiday Hotel, five-star, breakfast included.
Day 5: August 28: Binggou Danxia – Colorful Danxia Sunset – Stay in Colorful Town.
1. Leave a bit later in the morning. Take 19-seat vehicle to Binggou Danxia, suggested visit about 2 hours, drive 1 hour, ticket reference price 40 RMB. Overview: Binggou Danxia is known for its "majestic, dangerous, and magical" features, reputed as "the world's first wonder." It was rated by "China Geographic Magazine" and "National Geographic Magazine" as one of "China's Seven Most Beautiful Danxia Landforms" and one of the "World's Top 10 Magical Geographical Wonders."
Lunch: Eat near the scenic area or in Linze County.
2. Take 19-seat vehicle to Colorful Danxia, visit about 4-5 hours, drive 10 minutes, ticket reference price 74 RMB (can be pre-booked). Overview: This Danxia landform group is famous for its large area, concentration, interlocking layers, steep cliffs, magnificent momentum, unique shapes, and brilliant colors. Colors include red, yellow, white, green-blue, with tones undulating along the mountain slopes or sloping from top to bottom, like a colorful cloth spread diagonally. Under sunlight, it looks like a layer of red gauze, shimmering and extremely beautiful, breathtaking. In December 2018, it won the "2018 China Brand Tourist Attractions Top 20."
Dinner: Recommended by the driver.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Zhangye Happiness Hotel (near the scenic area, clean and hygienic, conditions up to three-star). No breakfast.
Day 6: August 29: Zhangye – Jiayuguan Pass – Hanging Great Wall – First Pier of the Great Wall – Stay in Jiayuguan. [Jiayuguan to Zhangye Colorful Danxia 256 km]
1. From near the Danxia scenic area take 19-seat vehicle to Jiayuguan, suggested visit about 2 hours, drive 4 hours, ticket reference price 110 RMB. Overview: Historically known as the throat of Hexi Corridor, with dangerous terrain and magnificent architecture, called the First Grand Pass Under Heaven and the key to the border. Jiayuguan was the traffic fortress on the ancient Silk Road, known as one of the three great wonders of the Great Wall (east Shanhaiguan, middle Zhenbeitai, west Jiayuguan).
Worth experiencing: Main attractions include Jiayuguan Pass, Hanging Great Wall, and First Pier of the Great Wall.
Lunch: Eat in Jiayuguan city. Dinner: Recommended Jingtie Market; reason: complete local specialties.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Jiayuguan Chenglou Taihe Shanzhuang (characteristic), breakfast included.
Day 7: August 30: Jiayuguan – Guazhou – 67 km Yulin Grottoes – 300 km Dunhuang – Again See Dunhuang (highly recommended) – Shazhou Night Market. [Dunhuang to Jiayuguan 375 km]
1. Take 19-seat vehicle to Guazhou, suggested visit about 30 minutes.
Overview: Guazhou County belongs to Jiuquan City, Gansu Province, located at the west end of the Hexi Corridor. It borders Yumen City (oil city) to the east, Dunhuang City to the west, Subei Mongol Autonomous County to the north and south, and Hami City, Xinjiang to the northwest. Historically a transportation hub between east and west, and a commercial center on the ancient Silk Road.
2. From Guazhou take 19-seat vehicle to Yulin Grottoes, visit about 1 hour, drive 1 hour, ticket reference price 60 RMB.
Overview: The murals and style of Yulin Grottoes are inseparably linked to Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes, known as the sister grottoes of Mogao, an important part of the Dunhuang grotto art system.
Reminder: To ensure tourist safety and artifact protection, caves will be closed during rain, snow, sandstorms, or strong winds. Please monitor local weather in Guazhou County or call the Yulin Grottoes Cultural Relics Protection Research Institute for updates.
Lunch: Recommended by the driver.
3. From Yulin Grottoes take 19-seat vehicle to Dunhuang, drive 2 hours.
Overview: Always a key town on the Silk Road, a national historical and cultural city.
Worth experiencing: Dunhuang Night Market.
"Again See Dunhuang" performance: Watch "Again See Dunhuang" before seeing Mogao Grottoes. "Again See Dunhuang" captivates in 3 minutes, moves you to tears in 13 minutes, and touches your soul in 30 minutes! That's the charm of "Again See Dunhuang"!
Dinner: Eat in Dunhuang city.
Recommended: Daji Donkey Meat Yellow Noodles.
The hotel lobby is easy to find, parking convenient. In Dunhuang, you must try braised donkey meat and local specialties like sand onion, apricot peel water.
A very famous local restaurant with many tourists. Its "Donkey Meat Yellow Noodles" won the title "Gansu Famous Snack." When eating noodles, you can also pair with donkey offal, donkey skin, donkey meat baked bread, fried elm seeds, and other local foods.
Signature dishes: Dunhuang Yellow Noodles, Apricot Peel Water, Donkey Meat Yellow Noodles, Braised Donkey Meat, Donkey Skin Jelly, Braised Donkey Tendon, Stir-fried Donkey Intestines, Donkey Meat Spring Rolls, Xiliang Fruit Beer, Tiger Vegetable, Mixed Three Shreds.
Address: Under Tianrun Hotel.
Shunhu Yang Meat Pie (Dunhuang First)
Address: Opposite Jiugongge Old Hotpot, North Gate, Binhe Century Homeland, Xiheba Lane.
Jingyuan Ga Liu Mei Yang Gao Rou
This lamb is exceptionally delicious. Braised and plain boiled, very tender. The lamb brisket is irresistible, almost no gamey smell. The service is excellent. Lamb stew with pie, sand onion eggs, spicy lamb stomach are highly recommended. Grilled lamb chops are crispy and fragrant. Try the local beer - Yellow River beer.
Zhang Shun Zhang Donkey Meat Yellow Noodles
Recommended reason: complete local specialties.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Dunhuang Lidu International Hotel, breakfast included.
Day 8: August 31: Dunhuang day tour. Morning 23 km to Mogao Grottoes, afternoon 28 km to Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring.
1. Take 19-seat vehicle to Mogao Grottoes (tickets already purchased, session at 09:45). Suggested visit about 4 hours, drive 15 minutes.
Overview: The world's largest and most abundant Buddhist art site, one of the three major and four major grottoes in China. Known as the "museum on the walls."
Lunch: Eat in Dunhuang city.
2. From Dunhuang city restaurant take 19-seat vehicle to Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring, visit about 4 hours, drive about 5 minutes, ticket reference price 110 RMB.
Overview: Crescent Moon Spring is nestled within Mingsha Mountain. Since ancient times, it has been famous for the wonderful landscape of "mountain and spring coexisting, sand and water symbiosis," known as "one of the best sceneries beyond the Great Wall." Mingsha Mountain, Crescent Moon Spring, and Mogao Grotto art integrate as the "two wonders" connected in the south of Dunhuang city, becoming a tourist destination for people in China and worldwide. Main attractions: Crescent Moon Spring, Mingsha Mountain. Crescent Moon Spring, shaped like a crescent moon, gave it its name. Mingsha Mountain is 5 km south of Dunhuang city; sand produces sound when moved. Mingsha Mountain is formed by shifting sand in five colors: red, yellow, green, white, black.
Worth experiencing: Sand sliding, camel riding (separate fee). ***After leaving Mingsha Mountain, you can join a desert camping activity in the evening.
3. From Mingsha Mountain take 19-seat vehicle to hotel, dinner. Dinner: Eat in Dunhuang city.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Dunhuang Lidu International Hotel, breakfast included.
Day 9: September 1: Dunhuang – Dangjin Mountain – Eboliang Yardang (Eboliang closed to large vehicles due to road closure, so only distant view, vehicle goes as close as possible) – Stay in Lenghu or camp at Eboliang (depending on cost-effective decision).
1. Take 19-seat vehicle to Aksai Oil Town, suggested visit about 1 hour, drive 1 hour.
Overview: Lunch: Eat in Aksai.
2. From Oil Town take 19-seat vehicle to Dangjin Mountain, visit about 1.5 hours, drive 2 hours. Worth experiencing: Take photos on the road. Most importantly, be careful; peak tourist season, heavy traffic.
3. From Dangjin Mountain take 19-seat vehicle to Eboliang Yardang, visit about 1 hour.
Dinner: Eat in Lenghu town; meals recommended by the driver.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Lenghu Chuanjia Business Hotel (no good hotel available that day; Guoyou is slightly better but poor hygiene).
Day 10: September 2: Lenghu – Mangya Aiken Spring – Mangya Emerald Lake – Stay in Huatu Gou. [Lenghu to Mangya Emerald Lake 340 km. Lenghu town to Huatu Gou 295 km.]
1. Take 19-seat vehicle to Mangya Aiken Spring, suggested visit about 2 hours.
Overview: Aiken Spring, best viewed by drone.
Lunch: Eat in Mangya.
2. From Mangya Aiken Spring take 19-seat vehicle to Mangya Emerald Lake.
Overview: The beauty of Mangya Emerald Lake is a magnificent mirror cluster bestowed by heaven; the most magical picture album in the west of the west.
3. From Mangya Emerald Lake take 19-seat vehicle to Huatu Gou for accommodation. Dinner: Eat in Huatu Gou town.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Mangya Yudu Hotel.
Day 11: September 3: West Taitjinar Lake (Two-color Lake) – Water Yardang – East Taitjinar Lake – U-shaped 315 Highway – 300 km to stay in Dachaidan. [Dachaidan to Water Yardang 240 km.]
1. Take 19-seat vehicle to West Taitjinar Lake (Two-color Lake), suggested visit about 1.5 hours. Overview: A road divides the salt lake into two halves with different colors: one side green, the other blue.
2. From West Taitjinar Lake take 19-seat vehicle to Water Yardang, visit about 1.5 hours, drive about 30 minutes, ticket reference price 120 RMB. Overview: It is a Yardang landform "growing" in water.
Lunch: Eat near Water Yardang scenic area.
3. From Water Yardang take 19-seat vehicle passing by U-shaped 315 Highway (view from vehicle) to Dachaidan, visit about 1 hour. Dinner: Eat in Dachaidan. Recommended: Dachaidan Yixinyuan Gourmet Restaurant; reason: roast whole lamb.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Dachaidan Zhuoya Business Hotel (clean and hygienic), no breakfast.
Day 12: September 4: Dachaidan – 10 km Emerald Lake – 168 km Qarhan Salt Lake – 55 km stay in Golmud.
1. Take 19-seat vehicle to Emerald Lake, suggested visit about 1 hour, drive 10 minutes, free admission.
Overview: Emerald Lake, also known as Shuicui Lake. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was once part of the ocean; after long-term crustal movement, it lifted to become the world's largest plateau, leaving seawater in low-lying areas forming many salt lakes and ponds, including Emerald Lake.
Worth experiencing: Take reflection photos at Emerald Lake.
2. From Emerald Lake take 19-seat vehicle to Qarhan Salt Lake, visit about 2 hours, drive 2.5 hours.
Overview: Qarhan Salt Lake is located in Golmud City, Qinghai Province. It is the largest salt lake in China and one of the most famous inland salt lakes in the world. The Qinghai-Tibet Railway passes through Qarhan Salt Lake.
Lunch: Eat near the scenic area.
3. From Qarhan Salt Lake take 19-seat vehicle to Golmud, drive 1 hour. Accommodation in Golmud. Dinner: Eat in Golmud.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Golmud Yuanshang Hotel, breakfast included.
Day 13: September 5: Golmud – Kunlun Divine Spring – Kunlun Mountain Pass – Hoh Xil Nature Reserve – Wuji Longfeng Palace – Sonam Dargye Protection Station – Stay in Golmud. [Golmud to Sonam Dargye Protection Station 211 km.]
High altitude on this day; avoid strenuous activity. Most of the day is scenery along the road.
1. Take 19-seat vehicle to Kunlun Mountain Pass, suggested visit about 1 hour, drive 1 hour. Dinner: Eat in Golmud.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Golmud Yuanshang Hotel, breakfast included.
Day 14: September 6: Golmud – 528 km Chaka Salt Lake – 70 km stay in Hei Ma He, stay at farmhouse inn with bonfire party.
1. Take 19-seat vehicle to Chaka Salt Lake, suggested visit about 2 hours, drive about 7 hours, ticket reference price 60 RMB. Tickets can be purchased at the scenic area; specific discounts depend on scenic area rules (pre-booking also possible). Overview: Chaka Salt Lake is called "China's Bolivia," one of the 55 places to visit in a lifetime. Mainly depends on the weather of the day.
Worth experiencing: Take reflection photos.
Lunch: Eat in Chaka town. Recommended: Chaka Bazhou Gourmet Restaurant.
2. From Chaka town take 19-seat vehicle to Hei Ma He, visit about 1 hour, drive 1.5 hours.
Overview: Can watch sunset, best sunset photography spot.
Dinner: Eat in Hei Ma He.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Hei Ma He Meihu Inn (with bonfire party), no breakfast.
Day 15: September 7: Hei Ma He sunrise – 80 km Qinghai Lake 151 – 50 km Daotang River – Longyang Gorge Canyon – Longyang Gorge Dam – Stay in Longyang Gorge.
1. To watch sunrise at Hei Ma He, need to get up early (sunrise around 05:30).
2. Take 19-seat vehicle to Qinghai Lake Erlangjian Scenic Area, suggested visit about 2 hours, drive 1.5 hours, ticket reference price 90 RMB [small path opened by local herders, about 10 RMB].
Overview: Sapphire of the plateau.
Worth experiencing: Horseback riding by the lake, taking photos with yaks, boat rides.
3. From Qinghai Lake take 19-seat vehicle to Daotang River, visit about 30 minutes, drive 1 hour, ticket reference price 40 RMB.
Overview: All rivers flow east, only Daotang River flows from east to west.
Lunch: Eat by Qinghai Lake or at Daotang River.
4. From Hei Ma He take 19-seat vehicle to Longyang Gorge, visit about 2.5 hours, drive 3 hours. Overview: Longyang Gorge is located in the upper reaches of the Yellow River in Gonghe County, Qinghai. It is 1684 km from the Yellow River source and 3376 km to the river mouth. It is the first canyon after the Yellow River flows through the Qinghai grassland into the canyon area. "Longyang" is Tibetan for "dangerous valley." The gorge mouth is only 30 meters wide, the canyon is 33 km long, with hard granite walls nearly 200 meters high standing on both sides, an ideal dam site for a hydropower station. In 1976, the state decided to build the Longyang Gorge hydropower station, choosing this gorge mouth. Hydro builders added the technical term "Gorge" after "Longyang," giving today's name. After completion, it became the first large cascade hydropower station on the upper Yellow River, known as the "First Dam of the Ten-Thousand-Li Yellow River," the "dragon head" power station of the Yellow River. Due to the power station, local tourism developed. Now it is a national AAAA tourist attraction; Longyang Gorge is also called "China's Colorado" Grand Canyon, famous overseas.
Dinner: Eat in Longyang Gorge.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Longyang Gorge Holiday Hotel (three-star, best in area).
Day 16: September 8: Basang Grassland – Guide Yellow River Bridge – Qianzi Lake – Yellow River Maiden – Stay in Guide.
1. Take 19-seat vehicle to Basang Grassland, suggested visit about 1 hour.
2. Continue to Guide Yellow River Bridge, visit about 1 hour. Overview: The completion of the Yellow River Bridge further changed the traffic on the Yellow River, allowing smooth travel for people on both sides and vehicles on the Ning-Gui Highway.
Lunch: Eat in Guide.
3. Take 19-seat vehicle to Qianzi Lake, Yellow River Maiden. Dinner: Eat in Guide.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Guide Yinlong Grand Hotel (four-star, breakfast included).
Day 17: September 9: Guide – 83 km 1 Kanbula National Geopark – [Xining to Guide 112 km, drive about 1.5 h] Stay in Xining (Xining to Kanbula Forest Park 120 km).
1. Take 19-seat vehicle to Kanbula National Geopark, suggested visit about 3 hours, drive 2 hours, ticket reference price (not opened this year, to be discussed). Lunch: Eat in Kanbula.
2. From Kanbula take 19-seat vehicle back to Xining, drive 2 hours.
Worth experiencing: In the evening, you can go to Mojia Street for dinner, close to the hotel.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Xining Vienna South Street Branch, four-star, breakfast included.
Day 18: September 10: Kumbum Monastery day trip, end of itinerary. [Xining to Kumbum Monastery 27 km, drive about 30 minutes.] After itinerary, transfer to airport.
Take 19-seat vehicle to Kumbum Monastery, buy tickets at the scenic area and then take sightseeing bus to visit. Suggested visit about 4-5 hours, drive 40 minutes, ticket reference price 70 RMB (can be pre-booked).
Lunch: Eat near Kumbum Monastery (farewell dinner).
2. After lunch, take everyone to the airport. The pleasant trip ends today. Thank you for your support.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
The itinerary is complete!
