Whether you take the southern route or the northern route first can be flexibly adjusted according to weather conditions; if you come during the peak season, you can consider taking the northern route first. Taking the Grand Ring Route counterclockwise can avoid traffic, which is also a good choice. Attractions along the way that are worth checking out: Kumbum Monastery,
Qinghai Lake
, Chaka, Huanhu West Road, Emerald Lake, No Man’s Land, Yadan Devil City, Oil Town, Mogao Grottoes, Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring, Jiayuguan, Zhangye Colorful Danxia, ​​Zhuoer Mountain, Qilian Prairie, Menyuan Flower Sea
Classic 7-day Grand Circle Tour:
The first day, Xining_Tum Monastery-Laji Mountain_Riyue MountainDaotang River
Qinghai Lake
_Heima River (stay); on the second day, Heima River_Rubber Mountain_Chaka Salt Lake_Delingha_Emerald Lake_Qaidam Basin_Daqaidan (stay);
On the third day, Dachaidan_Southern Eight Immortals Yadan Devil City_Dangjin Mountain_Aksei Desert Town_Yangguan_Dunhuang (overnight);
The fourth day: Mogao Grottoes_Crescent Moon Spring of Mingsha Mountain_Dunhuang Shazhou Night Market (overnight);
Day 5: Dunhuang_Guazhou (hometown of Hami melon)_Jiayu Pass Great Wall_Linze (hometown of Elaeagnus angustifolia)_Colorful Danxia_Zhangye (stay);
On the sixth day, Zhangye_Biandukou_The most beautiful road_Binggou Forest Sea_Qilian (stay);
Day 7: Zhuoer Mountain_Qilian Prairie_Menyuan_Daban Mountain Observation Deck_Heiquan Reservoir_Xining.
Day 1: Xining_Tum Monastery_Riyue Mountain_Daotang River_Qinghai Lake_Heima River Country House (approximate mileage 270 kilometers)
Game highlights & niche gameplay:

  1. If you are interested in temples or Buddhism, you must not miss Kumbum Monastery. Experience the daily life of Tibetan Buddhism up close;
  2. Qinghai Lake
    Cycling is not only a challenge to oneself, but also a kind of commemoration. After arriving in Heimahe Township that afternoon, you can rent a bicycle in the town and experience it along the Huanhu West Road;
  3. You might as well be in
    Qinghai Lake
    Come to a bonfire party, I believe the singing and dancing experience will be unforgettable for you;
  4. To go further and get closer to nature, go camping on the edge of Qinghai. There are many camping tent hotels for you to choose from. In addition, the starry sky on the plateau is also a highlight, especially photography enthusiasts should not miss it.  
    Tips:
  5. Peak season
    Qinghai Lake
    Accommodation is tight, so be sure to prepare in advance. Firstly, you can save money, and secondly, you can choose your favorite reservation;
  6. Qinghai Lake
    The official tourist attraction is the Erlangjian Scenic Area. The ticket is 100 yuan. It is recommended to go to the lake surrounded by herdsmen. It usually costs 20-50 yuan (the price varies greatly in the off-peak season, so you can ask the chartered car master to help negotiate the price);
  7. If you come in July or August, it is recommended to start early on the first day to avoid heavy traffic.
    The next day: Qinghai Lake sunrise_Chaka Salt Lake_Delingha_Emerald Lake_Qaidam Basin_crossing no man’s land_Daqaidan (mileage about 540 kilometers);
    Game highlights & niche gameplay:
  8. Qinghai Lake
    The sunrise over here is not to be missed, but it depends on whether the weather is good or not;
  9. Wear brightly colored clothes and take a photography trip in the sky. Take a small train to the salt lake, where the scenery and effects are easier to produce;
  10. Traveling through uninhabited land is completely comparable to US Route 66, and is the best place to get out of a large stretch of road. Passing by the Emerald Lake, it is comparable to the Chaka Salt Lake. It is worth seeing and there are no tickets.
    Tips:
  11. The ticket for Chaka Salt Lake is 70 yuan. To reach the innermost salt lake, you can hike, take a scenic battery car, or take a scenic train. It is recommended to take the small train, which costs 50 one way, and ride all the way to the end. Along the way you can see salt sculptures and observation decks made of salt. If you don’t take the small train, you will only be able to reach 1⁄3 of the distance by taking the battery car, and it will be a long way to the inside. As an extra reminder, there are shoe covers sold at the entrance of the scenic spot, priced at about 15 a pair.
  12. The Grand Ring Road has been very popular in recent years, so the small place of Dachaidan Town is far from meeting the demand for accommodation in the peak season. If you come in July and August, you must book this night’s accommodation in advance.
    Day 3: Dachaidan_South Eight Immortals Yadan Devil City_Dangjin Mountain_Aksei Oil Town_Yangguan_Dunhuang Shazhou Night Market (about 400 kilometers)
    Game highlights & niche gameplay:
  13. Currently, there are three Yadan Devil City to choose from: South Eight Immortals Yadan Devil City, Water Yadan Devil City, and Dunhuang Yadan Devil City. The more recommended one is South Eight Immortals Yadan Devil City, which has less mileage than Water Yadan Devil City. Compared with Dunhuang Yadan Devil City, the mileage is shortened while restoring the ecology, and there are no tickets;
  14. “Nine-Storey Demon Tower” made a popular place, and that is the oil town of Aksay. Going there can welcome the real scenes in the movie, and you can also feel the vicissitudes of the abandoned town after relocation;
  15. In the evening, you can visit the famous Shazhou Night Market in Dunhuang, mingle with the city, and taste the local food.
    Tips:
  16. It is recommended to go to Yadan Devil City with a local guide or chartered car. It is safer to have a local who is familiar with the terrain to lead the way;
  17. If you have plenty of time, you can take a one-day trip to the Southern Eight Immortals + Yadan Devil City on the Water, two Yadan landforms with different styles.
    Day 4: Mogao Grottoes_Crescent Moon Spring of Mingsha Mountain_Dunhuang (overnight)
    Game highlights & niche gameplay:
  18. The reputation of the Mogao Grottoes is far greater than its ability to receive tourists. Currently, a visit to the Mogao Grottoes requires real-name authentication and reservation. Tickets are often hard to get during peak seasons. It is very important to make an appointment in advance. It would be a pity not to visit the Mogao Grottoes when visiting the Northwest. This national treasure-level cultural relic is becoming more and more fragile;
  19. Desert sunsets, camel rides, and glider experiences can all be experienced in Mingsha Mountain, and you can also have a glimpse of the magical beauty of Crescent Moon Spring;
  20. Desert camping is also a recommended experience. There are currently many camping bases with many mature projects.
    Tips:
  21. Mogao Grottoes tickets must be reserved in advance. Even if the time changes later, tickets can be refunded; do not trust various purchasing agencies, sometimes they are very unreliable. Mogao Grottoes currently does not authorize any third party to sell tickets, so it is best to make your own reservation. Insurance;
  22. If you really don’t have a reservation, Mogao Grottoes sells emergency tickets during the peak season every year. You can see the four exquisite caves, which is also very good;
  23. The sunset in Dunhuang is relatively late, so there is still plenty of time to play that day.
    Day 5: Dunhuang_Guazhou (Hometown of Hami Melon)_Jiayuguan Great Wall_Jiayuguan_Linze (Hometown of Elaeagnus angustifolia)_Colorful Danxia (mileage about 580 kilometers)
    Game highlights & niche gameplay:
  24. Tasting melons in Guazhou is a not-to-be-missed event, it is guaranteed to be sweeter than anything you have ever tasted before;
  25. Arrive at Zhangye Colorful Danxia in the afternoon. The most wonderful experience is the Danxia sunset. The interweaving of various colors is very dreamy;
  26. It is recommended to stay near the Danxia Scenic Area that night, and you can enter the park again the next day to watch the Danxia sunrise.      
    Tips:
  27. It is the longest day in this trip, so it is very necessary to start early, otherwise you may not be able to reach Zhangye Danxia Scenic Area smoothly in the afternoon if you encounter traffic jams;
  28. There are shuttle buses in Zhangye Scenic Area. You can get off the bus at the scenic spot to enjoy the scenery without turning back. You can also try hot air ballooning, paragliding, and helicopter projects in the scenic area;
    Day 6: Zhangye_Mati Mountain_Biandukou_227 most beautiful road_Arou Temple_Qilian Zhuoer Mountain_Qilian Su (about 280 kilometers)
    Game highlights & niche gameplay:
  29. Infinite scenery is along the way. 227 is also known as the most American road. You can stop and take pictures along the way and it will be a blockbuster;
  30. It doesn’t matter if you miss Kumbum Monastery, there is also Arou Temple. This place is more real and shocking, with fewer tourists and less lively than Kumbum Monastery. There is a sense of independence here. Arou Temple is the most influential Gelug sect temple in the Qilian area. It has a strong Buddhist culture and is a good place to experience Tibetan culture.  
  31. Zhuoer Mountain overlooks Qilian, the Little Switzerland in the East, and Niuxin Mountain from a distance is a beautiful sight.  
    Tips:
  32. To go up the mountain in Zhuoer Mountain Scenic Area, you need to take a minibus, which is divided into two lines A and B. When parking and purchasing tickets, be sure to pay attention to the lines. The two lines are completely in two directions;
  33. Most of the accommodations around the scenic area are B&Bs and family hotels. The food tastes good and the price is relatively moderate. There are bonfire parties in many places in the evening. If you want to watch the stars, please prepare thick clothes.
    Day 7: Qilian Prairie_Menyuan Ten Thousand Mu Rapeseed Flower Sea_Daban Mountain Observation Deck_Heiquan Reservoir_Xining.
    Game highlights & niche gameplay:
  34. The Qilian Mountain grassland is rated as one of the six most beautiful grasslands in China. The place where you can spend time is horseback riding. Watching herdsmen grazing on the grassland and experiencing original ecological horse riding are also great enjoyments;
  35. From early July to early August every year, Menyuan will usher in a grand extension, with thousands of acres of rapeseed flowers blooming. If you choose this time, be careful that you will be “drunk” by the sea of ​​flowers.
    Tips:
    The time when rapeseed flowers bloom varies every year. Depending on rain and climate conditions, it generally blooms in mid-to-late July. If you make a special trip to see the sea of ​​rapeseed flowers, it is recommended to pay attention to the blooming status of the rapeseed flowers before departure.
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