How to Explore the Northwest Grand Loop? Itinerary, Transportation, Dining, and Accommodation Recommendations

My affection for the Northwest stems not only from deep nostalgia for my hometown but also from awe of nature. The grand loop route recommended below covers both cultural and natural landscapes, with magnificent scenery well worth experiencing! I'll tell you everything you need to know—itinerary, transportation, dining, and accommodation—so you can avoid detours and fully enjoy the beauty and grandeur of the Northwest.

Literally, a loop is a closed circuit, so the Northwest travel route doesn't require backtracking. Starting from Xining and returning to Xining, it passes through Qinghai Lake, Delingha, Dachaidan, Dunhuang, Jiayuguan, and Zhangye.

The grand loop covers 2,700 kilometers in total. Famous attractions along the way include Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, Qaidam Basin, Mogao Caves, Yadan Ghost City, Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring, Jiayuguan, Zhangye Colorful Danxia, Zhu'er Mountain Scenic Area, Qilian Mountains, Qilian Grassland, and Menyuan's vast rapeseed flower fields. It covers the best of Qinghai and Gansu, a great collection of Northwest natural scenery and Silk Road cultural history, and is one of the most classic Northwest routes. The road conditions are good throughout, suitable for self-driving or carpool/private car hire.

Day 1: Xining - Kumbum Monastery (Tar Temple) - Laji Mountain - Qinghai Lake - Chaka Town, stay overnight in Chaka Town.

Depart from Xining around 8 a.m., drive 30 km to Tar Temple, where you usually spend about 2 hours; then drive to Qinghai Lake, stopping along the way to visit Laji Mountain and Riyue Mountain. At Qinghai Lake, experience the lake up close. Then drive 140 km to Chaka Town for rest and accommodation.

Highlights: Tibetan Buddhist Tar Temple, plateau sapphire Qinghai Lake, and colorful prayer flags at Laji Mountain.

Day 2: Chaka Town - Chaka Salt Lake - Delingha - Dachaidan Town

Chaka Salt Lake is 3 km from Chaka Town. Go early to watch sunrise and take photos. After leaving the salt lake, drive over 200 km to Delingha. Delingha has Keluke Lake, Tuosu Lake, and the Aliens' Ruins—just pass by, no need to buy tickets. After Delingha, drive about 240 km to reach Dachaidan.

Highlights: Heima River sunrise, Chaka Salt Lake, Gobi highway.

Day 3: Dachaidan - Qaidam Basin Highway - South Eight Immortals Yadan (Qinghai) - Aksai - Yangguan Ruins - Dunhuang

After leaving Dachaidan Town, drive 20 km to reach the Qaidam Basin Highway, which stretches straight across the Gobi with Yadan landforms on both sides. Arriving at South Eight Immortals, the Yadan landforms of Qinghai are fully displayed, majestic and imposing. Another 40 km brings you to Aksai Town, the filming location of the famous movie 'The Ghouls'—the Oil Town. Then drive over 120 km to Yangguan, where the poem says 'West of Yangguan, there are no old friends', and then drive over 60 km to check in at Dunhuang.

There are actually three Yadan landscapes, but most people visit the Qinghai Yadan (South Eight Immortals). It's free, large, and on the way. The Dunhuang Yadan is more imposing but not on the route, though you can go specifically.

Highlights: Yadan, Yangguan, Oil Town.

Day 4: Dunhuang - Mogao Caves - Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring

Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring, as well as the Mogao Caves, are not far from downtown Dunhuang, very convenient. These nationally famous attractions draw many visitors each year, especially the Mogao Caves in July and August when crowds are huge; tickets must be booked in advance.

Highlights: Mogao Caves, Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring

1. Purchase Mogao Caves tickets in advance, especially in July and August; otherwise, you can only buy emergency tickets on site to visit some small caves.

2. The Western Thousand Buddha Caves are a supplement to Mogao; if time permits, you can visit.

Day 5: Dunhuang - Jiayuguan - Zhangye Colorful Danxia

This day has a long drive with only two main attractions: Jiayuguan and Zhangye Colorful Danxia. From Dunhuang to Jiayuguan is 380 km, and from Jiayuguan to Zhangye Colorful Danxia is 240 km. It's recommended to stay at Danxiakou Cultural Tourism Town near the Danxia, where you can watch 'Return to Zhangye' show, join a large bonfire party, and enjoy a specialty food street—dining and accommodation are convenient.

Highlights: Jiayuguan Pass, Zhangye Colorful Danxia, Danxiakou Cultural Tourism Town, 'Return to Zhangye' show.

Tips: If you want to catch the sunrise the next day after viewing the Colorful Danxia, keep your ticket; you can re-enter the next day by paying the sightseeing bus fare.

Day 6: Zhangye Colorful Danxia - Biandukou - Arou Great Monastery - Zhu'er Mountain Scenic Area - Qilian County

Depart from Zhangye Danxia, take the most beautiful national highway 227, visit Arou Great Monastery, then proceed to Qilian County, climb Zhu'er Mountain to overlook the 'Little Switzerland of the East' Qilian, with the sacred Niuxin Mountain right in front—endless scenery, a stunning picture.

Highlights: Qilian Grassland, Arou Great Monastery, 'Little Switzerland of the East' Qilian, Zhu'er Mountain.

Day 7: Qilian - Menyuan - Daban Mountain Viewing Platform - Xining

From Qilian back to Menyuan, the journey is lined with vast Qilian grasslands and herds of cattle and sheep. At Menyuan, see the expansive rapeseed flower fields, climb Daban Mountain to overlook Menyuan's beauty and gaze at Gangshika Snow Peak in the distance, then pass Heiquan Reservoir back to Xining.

Tips: The rapeseed flower season in Menyuan is in July, affected by climate; plan ahead.

Highlights: Menyuan's vast rapeseed flower fields, overlook from Daban Mountain.

Long-distance transportation: Fly to Lanzhou first, then take a bullet train from Lanzhou to Xining.

Grand loop transportation: Carpool or charter a car for independent travel. Local drivers are more familiar with the route; having a local driver throughout makes the trip easier. Road conditions in the Northwest are generally good, but there are many winding mountain roads and high-altitude roads—inexperienced drivers can easily have accidents. Plus, long-distance driving is tiring, so self-driving is not recommended.

【Must-try foods in Xining】

Qinghai old yogurt, liangpi (cold noodles), pot-braised lamb, yak bone soup, roasted lamb, lamb intestine noodles.

Recommended food spots: Shuijing Lane, Koufu Street, Daxing Street Night Market, Taining Garden Night Market, residential alleyways, Mojia Street.

【Must-try foods in Gansu】

Beef noodles, beef 'small rice', 'cuoyuzi' (fish-shaped pasta), rolled chicken, bean jelly, donkey meat yellow noodles, 'chaobola' (stir-fried mixed dish).

Recommended food spots: Dunhuang Night Market, Zhangye Flavor Food Street at Danxiakou Cultural Tourism Town.

1. The Northwest Grand Loop is a popular tourist route in recent years. In July and August, you must book accommodation in advance—must, must, must! (Important things said three times).

2. Some places are small towns where accommodation consists of family inns or low-rise small hotels with limited conditions—you'll need to make do. (This also highlights the importance of booking early; only by booking early can you get decent conditions.)

1. Temperature differences between morning and evening are large in Qinghai and Gansu; bring a thick jacket, down jacket, or windbreaker.

2. Overall, the Northwest Grand Loop has dry summers—not only do you need to hydrate a lot, but also bring sun-protection clothing: hat, mask, sunglasses, scarf (for sun protection and photo ops).

3. Wear comfortable shoes.

(Some images and text are sourced from the internet; remove if infringement.)

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