Hugo said that life is like traveling, and ideals are the travel routes; Mark Twain said that traveling is the best way to eliminate hatred and ignorance; “Cinema Paradiso” said that if you don’t go out for a walk, you will think that this is world.
More and more people like to travel to the Northwest just to enjoy the most beautiful deserts, ride on the most beautiful inland lakes, and experience the artistic charm of the Mogao Grottoes up close…
If you don’t like group travel or traveling alone, then you must try chartering a car/carpooling, which will always bring you unexpected surprises. First of all, I will give you a lot of tips and tricks.
Why charter a car/share a car?
In the northwest, because public transportation, especially tourist routes, is not very developed, scenic spots are very scattered and very far away from each other. Renting a car allows you to travel freely, and you can stop and go to enjoy the natural scenery along the way.
The car rental mentioned here does not mean renting a car to drive yourself, but renting a tour bus with a local driver. In spoken language, it is generally called
“Chartered car” or “carpooling”
.
Although car chartering and carpooling both refer to renting a station wagon with a driver, there are some small differences:
-
Charter a car
It means that there are enough tourists to form a small tour group and rent a tourist vehicle collectively. The tourists plan their own reasonable routes and only need the driver to drive the vehicle to travel to various scenic spots. The key point is that the route is planned by the tourists themselves, and the initiative lies with the tourists themselves.
-
Carpool
It means that the tourists are individual travelers. Due to the high fares, the number of individual travelers (usually 1-2 people) cannot afford to rent a car. They need to form a car with individual travelers who have the same or similar time and route, and the driver Drive a vehicle to travel to various attractions. The travel route is generally determined by the driver (or the dominant group of tourists). Individual tourists with a small number of people are in a following position and cannot decide the travel route on their own.
It is recommended to charter a car/share a car to travel in the northwest, but it is not recommended to rent a car and travel by car. This is because:
- Chartered car/carpooling travel allows tourists to visit scenic spots more easily without having to drive tiredly;
- Local drivers are more familiar with routes and complex road conditions, which can save time;
- Prevent tourists from causing unsafe factors in plateau areas;
- Excellent local drivers can serve as semi-tour guides. They are more familiar with local conditions and can help arrange meals, accommodation, tickets and other matters;
- In the event of an unexpected situation, local drivers can provide emergency treatment more conveniently and quickly.
How to choose driver and vehicle?
So, since we must charter a car/carpool for travel, how can we choose a suitable vehicle as much as possible?
How to choose a regular tourist bus?
A
The vehicle is a very crucial factor, it is your feet during travel.
First of all, you must choose a regular tourist car.
Secondly, different types of tourist vehicles should be selected according to the number of tourists. Generally speaking, a 5-seater or 7-seater off-road vehicle can accommodate 4 tourists; a 6-seater is recommended for 5 tourists; a 7-seater commercial vehicle is recommended for 6 tourists; 15 The tour bus is recommended for 12 tourists.
When you come to the northwest, you must not miss it
Dunhuang
Dunhuang is located at the intersection of Qinghai, Gansu and Xinjiang. It is a place full of stories. “The ruins of two passes, Thousand Buddhas Lingyan, dangerous peaks standing in the east, Dangshui flowing north, Moon Spring dawning, evening view of the ancient city, spring plowing of the embroidered soil, and the clear sound of the sand ridge” are known as the eight sceneries of Dunhuang.
Wandering in Dunhuang, you can see not only the scenery, but also smell the history. At that time, “I urge you to have another glass of wine, and there will be no old friends when you leave Yangguan in the west.” At that time, “the desert smoke was straight, the long river fell. Yen”.
Zhangye Colorful Danxia
Zhangye Danxia Geopark is located at the northern foot of the Qilian Mountains, 30 kilometers south of Linze County, Qinghai Province. It is one of the areas with the largest and best developed Danxia landforms and the richest landforms in China. It is known as the “most beautiful place in China”. One of the Seven Danxia’s.
The majestic momentum, the spectacular scenes, the strange shapes, the colorful colors, the uncanny craftsmanship of nature are vividly displayed here. It not only has the wonder and danger of ordinary Danxia, but also is more beautiful in color.
Chaka Salt Lake
Chaka Salt Lake is also called Chaka or Dabson Nur. It has white clouds in the sky and towering Cangshan Mountains in the distance. The blue sky, white clouds and snow-capped mountains are reflected in the lake. It is poetic and picturesque. Walking on the lake is like entering the world of salt. We call this place as beautiful as a fairyland the “land of the sky” in China.
Qilian Mountains
The Qilian Mountains are located on the border between the northeastern Qinghai Province and the western Gansu Province in China. The scenery of the Qilian Mountains changes throughout the year. The only thing that remains unchanged is that it is so beautiful no matter what season it is.
Kumbum Temple
There was a pagoda first and then a temple, hence the name Kumbum Temple. The lifelike butter flowers, colorful murals and colorful embroidery are known as the three artistic wonders of Kumbum Monastery. There is a row of prayer tubes in front of the exit. You must turn it around with your own hands and recite Om Mani Padme Hum devoutly.
Qinghai Lake
The most beautiful time of Qinghai Lake is July, when the rapeseed flowers are in full bloom, and the blue water surface intersects with the golden flower lines, like a huge oil painting, deeply engraved in each of our minds.
Whether chartered or self-driving, go around
Qinghai Lake
Just running for a lap will allow you to appreciate the beauty of nature and relax your body and mind. It feels great. Awesome.
Day 1 Kumbum Monastery-
Qinghai Lake
-Black Horse River
Kumbum Monastery is located in the Lianhua Mountain Col in the southwest corner of Rushal Town, Huangzhong County, Xining City, Qinghai Province. The Kumbum Monastery is built according to the mountain. It is composed of many temples, sutra halls, pagodas, monks’ houses, etc. It has a rigorous layout, majestic buildings, resplendent and magnificent momentum. It is one of the six famous monasteries of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism in my country. . Kumbum Monastery is the highest institution of Buddhism in Qinghai Province. It currently has four major academies (scholastic academies): Exoteric Buddhism, Tantric Buddhism, Kalachakra, and Medical Ming Buddhism. They are called Sanni, Juba, Dingke, and Mamba Dracang in Tibetan.
About 100 kilometers away from Xining, we arrived
Qinghai Lake
, we will enter from the herdsmen’s pastures
Qinghai Lake
,and
Qinghai Lake
Close contact
After breakfast, we went to Kumbum Monastery and then climbed over Laji Mountain, the highest point in the itinerary (the pass is 3820m above sea level).
When everyone has taken enough photos, gather together and head there
Qinghai Lake
We checked in by the hotel, and we stopped while walking along the way. The blue sky, white clouds, snow-capped mountains and the frozen lake were spectacular. In the evening, we could even see the vast sea.
Qinghai Lake
Sunset and sunset.
If the weather is fine, you can enjoy the vast Milky Way starry sky after nightfall.
Remarks: 1. Attention on dressing:
Qinghai Lake
The temperature is low, so you need to wear a fleece jacket, especially at night, so be careful to keep warm;
- Special instructions:
Qinghai Lake
The side elevation is about 3200m, and there will be slight altitude sickness. Everyone should reduce activities according to their own conditions. It is not advisable to sing loudly, run fast, jump, etc. It is recommended to drink more water and eat more fruits. Stay in a good mood.
The next day Heima River-Chaka Salt Lake-Emerald Lake-Dachaidan
☀Highlights Chaka Qaidam Basin Lover’s Lake Gobi Highway Chaka Salt Lake Scenic Area is the only 4A-level salt lake tourism scenic spot in China. The scenic spot is named after the “Mirror of the Sky”. Chaka Salt Lake is located near Chaka Town, Wulan County, Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, the Salt Lake is pure, blue and white, with intertwined reflections, like a natural mirror. Because its tourism resource endowment is comparable to that of the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, it enjoys the reputation of China’s “Mirror of the Sky”. It is one of the “Four Great Scenic Spots in Qinghai” and one of the “55 must-visit places in a lifetime” selected by the National Tourism Geography Magazine. “one of the places”.
Heading to Chaka Salt Lake, if the weather is good, it is recommended to prepare a pair of sandals for taking pictures in the water. Women who love beauty are advised to choose colorful long skirts.
Day 3 Dachaidan-Dunhuang
☀Highlights Qaidam Basin Mogao Grottoes Gobi Highway Dunhuang City is a county-level city under the jurisdiction of Jiuquan City, Gansu Province. It is located in the northwest of Gansu Province. It has always been an important town on the Silk Road and is a national historical and cultural city. Dunhuang is surrounded by the steep Sanwei Mountains in the east, the majestic Qilian Mountains in the south, the vast Taklimakan Desert in the west, and the rugged Besai Mountains in the north. It is world-famous for its Dunhuang Grottoes and Dunhuang murals, and is a world cultural The heritage Mogao Grottoes and the location of Yumen Pass and Yang Pass on the border of the Great Wall of Han Dynasty.
Today we will travel through and appreciate the vast Gobi desert scenery in the Qaidam Basin. The boundless desert makes people sigh with emotion. Along the way, the land is vast and sparsely populated, and you can deeply experience the rare desolation in the northwest and feel the magnificence and vastness of the vast northwest.
Remarks: 1. Today’s drive is long, and we will pass through the Qaidam Basin and enjoy the Gobi scenery along the way;
- Since there are few people along the way, supplies are not very convenient. It is recommended that you prepare snacks and fruits in advance.
Day 4 Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes-Mingsha Mountain, Crescent Moon Spring
Mogao Grottoes, commonly known as Thousand Buddha Cave, is located in Dunhuang at the west end of the Hexi Corridor. It was built in the pre-Qin period of the Sixteen Kingdoms, and has been built in the Sixteen Kingdoms: Northern Dynasties, Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, Xixia, Yuan and other dynasties. It has formed a huge scale, with 735 caves, 45,000 square meters of murals, and mud paintings. With 2,415 colorful sculptures, it is the largest and richest Buddhist art site in the world.
In 1961, the Mogao Grottoes were announced by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China as one of the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units. In 1987, the Mogao Grottoes were listed as a world cultural heritage.
The Mogao Grottoes, together with the Yungang Grottoes in Datong, Shanxi, the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, Henan, and the Maijishan Grottoes in Tianshui, Gansu, are collectively known as the four major grottoes in China.
In the evening, return to the hotel in Dunhuang city to rest. If you have enough time, we recommend that you watch a large-scale evening party representing Dunhuang. See Dunhuang Again 1. Mogao Grottoes ticket purchase website ***, purchase 30 days in advance, purchase in advance, otherwise only You can buy emergency tickets after arriving on site
☀Highlights Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring Shazhou Night Market Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring Scenic Area is located 5 kilometers south of Dunhuang City, Gansu Province. Throughout the ages, it has been famous for its wonderful landscape of “mountains and springs coexisting, sand and water coexisting”, and is known as “one of the best scenery outside the Great Wall”. Mingsha Mountain, Crescent Moon Spring and the artistic landscape of Mogao Grottoes are integrated into one, forming a continuous connection to the south of Dunhuang City. The “two wonders” have become a tourist destination that people in China and even the world yearn for. Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring Scenic Area, the main attractions are Crescent Moon Spring and Mingsha Mountain. Crescent Moon Spring is surrounded by Mingsha Mountain and is named after its shape resembling a crescent moon. Mingsha Mountain is located 5 kilometers away from the southern suburbs of Dunhuang City. It is named after the sound of the sand. Mingsha Mountain is formed by quicksand and is divided into five colors: red, yellow, green, white and black.
Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring Scenic Area was designated as a national key scenic area in 1994 and won honorary titles such as “one of the five most beautiful deserts in China”. On July 20, 2015, it was approved as a national AAAAA tourist attraction. In January 2016, the National Tourism Administration and the Ministry of Environmental Protection planned to identify the Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring Scenic Area in Jiuquan City, Gansu Province as a national eco-tourism demonstration area.
After breakfast, go to Mingsha Mountain·Crescent Spring Scenic Area. You can ride camels and sandboard here. You can also experience climbing Mingsha Mountain one step further and half step back. Visit Mingsha Mountain, which is known as Silver Mountain surrounded by sand on all sides and a pool of clear water with green ripples. The Crescent Moon Spring, the largest desert spring in the world, will leave after sunset.
In the evening, you can visit the Shazhou Night Market, the largest snack street in the city. During the free activities, please pay attention to personal and property safety. 1. Before departure, remind everyone to bring a headscarf, a hat and sunglasses when entering the desert, and sun protection is essential;
- Girls who want to take photos can wear a white or red dress;
- The sand in Mingsha Mountain is relatively fine. Please protect your camera and mobile phone to prevent fine sand from falling into the sand;
- Mingsha Mountain has many self-funded experience projects, such as desert cross-country, camel riding, sandboarding, helicopters, etc. Please inquire about the price before participating in the project.
Day 5-Dunhuang,-Zhangye
☀Highlight Jiayuguan City Tower Colorful Danxia Go to Zhangye Colorful Danxia Landform. Zhangye Colorful Danxia Landform Wonder was formed 6 million years ago. It is located in Linze and Sunan County, Zhangye City. It is the only Danxia landform and colorful hilly landscape in China. Multiple District.
It has also been rated as one of the seven most beautiful Danxia landforms in China by “China National Geographic” magazine. There are multiple observation decks in the scenic area for everyone to visit and take photos.
As the sun sets, everyone checks into Zhangye City. After checking in, they can go to the food street freely to look for delicious food.
Day 6 Zhangye-Qilian
In the afternoon, we went to Zhuoer Mountain, the most beautiful natural viewing platform in Qilian, and climbed to the top of Zhuoer Mountain. The place is full of beautiful scenery and has an extremely wide field of vision. It is like a fairyland, which is refreshing and refreshing.
Zhuoer Mountain is close to the Babao River and faces the Tibetan sacred mountain Niuxin Mountain across the river. On the left and right sides are Ladong Gorge and Baiyanggou Scenic Area respectively. On the back is the rolling Qilian Mountains. At the foot of the mountain, the surging Babao River is like a white Hada surrounds Qilian County. Check in at the hotel in Qilian County in the evening.
Day 7 Qilian-Osaka Mountain-Arou Temple-Xining★Dismissal Day
☀Highlights Osaka Mountain Observation Deck Gangshika Snow Peak Arou Temple Arou Prairie After breakfast, we set off through the beautiful Arou Prairie and visited the magnificent Arou Temple.
In the afternoon, we will cross the Qilian Mountains. The mountains here are steep and towering. There are mostly winding mountain roads along the way, passing by the Osaka Mountain Observation Deck and the Black Spring Reservoir. If the weather is ideal, you can overlook Gangshika Snow Peak.
Return to Xining city in due course
❀Notes
- Bring a trolley case, or a camera bag or a small waist bag for use during activities;
- Three-piece outdoor set (jacket, quick-drying jacket, fleece jacket), sunglasses, sun hat, and travel shoes;
- Cold medicine, gastrointestinal medicine, vitamins, band-aids, and essential oils;
- Sunscreen, moisturizing lotion, hand cream, lip protection (must have for MM);
- Various digital products, chargers, and photographic equipment;
- Prepare some dry food, fruits and snacks, and an insulated water bottle;
- Toiletries and change of clothes;
- ID card, this is the most important.
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