Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop Tour: Hard but Happy (Part 2)

Dunhuang, Gansu. Located at the western end of the Hexi Corridor, it was a key passage from the Central Plains to the Western Regions and a node city on the Silk Road.

Yadan Geological Park, also known as Dunhuang Devil City.

90 kilometers west of Yumen Pass, it is a typical Yadan landform group, stretching about 25 kilometers east-west and 1-2 kilometers north-south. When wind blows, eerie sounds resonate, and travelers at night may lose their way and never find an exit, hence the name "Devil City." The whole area resembles a medieval ancient city, with vivid and lifelike sculptures that amaze visitors, presenting a spectacular view on the Gobi Desert.

Yumen Pass Site. Located within Dunhuang City.

Yumen Pass, also called Xiaofangpan City, was the strategic throat on the northern route of the Silk Road to the Western Regions.

It was late afternoon, with few tourists. We took photos freely, striking various poses—what joy!

Dunhuang Mingsha Mountain.

Mingsha Mountain, Crescent Moon Spring, and Mogao Caves are known as the three wonders of Dunhuang.

Mingsha Mountain. The fine quartz sand in the desert, driven by wind and falling, interacts and rotates in air currents. The hollows on the sand surface create a "diabolo" effect, producing buzzing sounds, hence its name.

Crescent Moon Spring. Nestled in the embrace of Mingsha Mountain. Throughout history, it has been renowned for the marvelous landscape of "mountain and spring coexisting, sand and water interdependent."

It is honored as the "First Spring in the Desert."

To see the full view of Crescent Moon Spring, you need to climb the sand mountain and look out from a height.

But unfortunately, people over 50 are not allowed to climb!

Climbing the tower for an overview—after all, the height is insufficient! A quick visit suffices!

Riding a camel along Mingsha Mountain is an interesting activity.

Dunhuang Mogao Caves. Commonly known as the Thousand Buddha Caves, a World Heritage Site. First built in the Former Qin period of the Sixteen Kingdoms, and developed through the Northern Dynasties, Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, Western Xia, Yuan, and later periods, it contains 735 caves, 45,000 square meters of murals, and 2,415 painted clay sculptures, making it the world's largest and richest Buddhist art site. Along with Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, Henan, and Yungang Grottoes in Datong, Shanxi, it is known as one of the three major Chinese grottoes; later Maijishan Grottoes was added to form the four major grottoes.

Lucky to get a Class A ticket allowing visits to 8 caves, we experienced the profoundness of Chinese history and culture.

Jiayuguan. The First Grand Pass Under Heaven. It leans against the snow-capped Qilian Mountains to the south and the rolling Black Mountains to the north. The gap between the two mountains is only 30 li, the narrowest part of the Hexi Corridor.

As a complete military defense project, it is known as the "Grand Pass Under Heaven" and "Key to the Border Fortress" due to its strategic terrain and majestic architecture. The imposing border fortress atmosphere can still be seen today.

Zhangye World Geopark.

Rated by Chinese National Geography as one of the seven most beautiful Danxia landforms in China.

It is famous for its interlayered strata, steep cliffs, majestic grandeur, unique shapes, and brilliant colors.

Qilian Zhuo'er Mountain.

Qinghai and Gansu are divided by the Qilian Mountains. Zhuo'er Mountain, on the Qinghai side, is also a Danxia landform, composed of red sandstone and conglomerate. In Tibetan, it is called "Zongmu Mayuma," meaning the beautiful rosy queen. Walking up the plank road in the scenic area, as sunlight shifts, the same scenery presents different beauty. Everywhere is beautiful, like a fairyland, refreshing the mind.

Lanzhou is known as the "City of Waterwheels." Lanzhou Waterwheel Expo Park, built in 2005, recreates the spectacular scene of rows of waterwheels along the Yellow River from over 50 years ago. It is the protection base for Lanzhou's Yellow River big waterwheels and a famous national 4A-level tourist attraction on the hundred-mile Yellow River scenery belt.

The Yellow River is the mother river of Lanzhou.

The century-old Zhongshan Bridge.

The famous Mother River Yellow River sculpture.

It symbolizes the unyielding and nurturing Yellow River mother, as well as the happy, healthy, and growing descendants of China.

The base of the sculpture is carved with water ripple and fish patterns, derived from ancient Gansu painted pottery, reflecting its long history and culture.

The nine-day Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop tour covered a total of 3,200 kilometers by car—a long and tiring journey.

But with classmates and friends, we helped and cared for each other, laughing all the way. Besides classic natural, historical, and cultural sites, we enjoyed roast whole lamb, the Dunhuang Grand Ceremony, Lanzhou Zhengnin Road snack night market, Lanzhou beef noodles...

The entire trip to the Great Northwest was hard but happy!