Northwest China includes Qinghai, Gansu, Ningxia, Xinjiang and Shaanxi. These provinces are far apart, with sharp differences in transportation and climate. These areas are large, with scattered scenic spots and great climate differences. First-time visitors often face various problems. Travel FAQs for Northwest China mainly focus on the best time to visit, flights and trains, accommodation costs, ticket prices, altitude sickness and required documents. The following 13 FAQs are sorted out, from long-distance transportation to daily expenses, from packing to safety tips. We hope this article helps you arrange your itinerary smoothly.
What Season Is the Best for Traveling to Northwest China?
The climate varies greatly among provinces in Northwest China. May to October is the most suitable time for traveling. The specific differences are as follows:
- May-June: Fewer tourists, lower prices, comfortable weather. The most cost-effective period, with tourist numbers about one-third of peak season. Accommodation and car rentals are much cheaper than in July-August.
- July-August: Best scenery with blooming rapeseed flowers by Qinghai Lake and lush Qilian grasslands. Peak season brings doubled prices for lodging/charters, and Mogao Caves tickets are hardest to get.
- September to October: The weather is cool. There are fewer tourists than in summer vacation. Populus euphratica forests in Gansu start to turn yellow. It is suitable for taking photos.
- Off-season (Nov-Apr): Fewer tourists, lower prices, significant temperature variations, yellowed vegetation, shorter attraction hours.
How to Fly to Northwest China from Overseas?
International Flights
Several airports in Northwest China have opened international routes. Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport has flights to Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and other places. If you cannot fly directly to Northwest China from Europe or North America, you can first fly to international hub cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Xi’an, and then transfer to domestic flights in China.
Domestic Flights in China
There are many flights between major cities in Northwest China. You can fly from Lanzhou to many cities in Xinjiang. Dunhuang Mogao International Airport has opened direct routes to more than 20 cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Chengdu, Xi’an and Hong Kong. Yinchuan, Ningxia also has many new routes.
How Much Is Accommodation per Night for Traveling to Northwest China?
There are many accommodation options in Northwest China, ranging from youth hostel beds costing dozens of yuan to star-rated hotels costing more than one thousand yuan. It mainly depends on the city and the peak/off-season.
- Youth hostel or inn bed: About 50 to 120 CNY per night. Suitable for solo backpackers. Available in tourist cities such as Lanzhou, Xining, Dunhuang, Zhangye and Xi’an.
- Budget hotel or ordinary homestay: 150 to 350 CNY per night. With independent bathroom and stable hot water. This is the choice for most people.
- Three to four-star hotel: 400 to 800 CNY per night. It may rise to more than 1000 CNY in peak season.
- Special accommodation: Herdsman tents by Qinghai Lake and desert campsites. About 200 to 500 CNY per night. The conditions are basic but the experience is unique.
Qinghai Lake Highway
What Are the Ticket Prices of Major Scenic Spots in Northwest China?
Ticket prices of scenic spots in Northwest China vary. The following are reference prices for common scenic spots:
- Qinghai Lake Erlangjian Scenic Area: 89 CNY.
- Chaka Salt Lake: 60 CNY in peak season, 20 CNY in off-season (free sometimes in off-season). One-way sightseeing train is about 40 to 50 CNY.
- Mogao Caves: 238 CNY in peak season (including 8 caves, digital movies and transportation). Emergency ticket 100 CNY (including 4 caves). 140 CNY in off-season.
- Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring: 120 CNY in peak season, 60 CNY in off-season.
- Zhangye Danxia Landform: 74 CNY (including sightseeing bus).
- Jiayuguan Pass: 108 CNY.
- Heavenly Lake of Tianshan: 95 CNY (excluding shuttle bus).
- Sayram Lake: 95 CNY in peak season, 75 CNY in off-season.
How Much Does Catering Cost per Day for Traveling to Northwest China?
Food in Northwest China is cheaper than in eastern Chinese cities, mainly consisting of pasta, beef and mutton.
The following information can help you save money:
- A bowl of beef noodles in an ordinary restaurant is 10 to 18 CNY. A portion of fried noodles is 15 to 25 CNY. A portion of hand-grabbed mutton is 50 to 80 CNY. You can eat well with 60 to 120 CNY per day.
- Food in scenic spots is generally pricier than outside. For instance, a boxed meal at Qinghai Lake may cost 30–40 CNY. It’s advisable to pack your own dry food and water, especially when visiting remote areas.
- Zhengning Road Night Market in Lanzhou, Mojia Street in Xining and Shazhou Night Market in Dunhuang are worth visiting. You can try roasted lamb skewers, scrambled eggs with wild chives, apricot skin drink, Hu sheep braised cake and cold noodles. The per capita cost of a meal in the night market is 50 to 80 CNY.
Is the Altitude High in Northwest China? Will There Be Altitude Sickness?
Most areas in Northwest China are not high in altitude. Lanzhou is about 1,500 meters above sea level. Xining is about 2,200 meters. Dunhuang is about 1,100 meters. Most people will not have obvious discomfort. Several areas to pay attention to are: Qinghai Lake is about 3,200 meters. Chaka Salt Lake is about 3,100 meters. Qilian County is about 2,800 meters. If you plan to go to areas above 4,000 meters above sea level (such as parts of southern Gansu or the hinterland of Qinghai), it is recommended to stay in areas of 2,000 to 3,000 meters for two to three days to acclimatize first.
The following specific practices can effectively prevent altitude sickness:
- Do not run or jump when you first arrive at the plateau. Slow down your movements. Try not to take a bath on the first day.
- Drink plenty of warm water. Do not drink alcohol. 1.5 to 2 liters per day is suitable.
- Start taking Rhodiola rosea one week before departure. Prepare a portable oxygen cylinder after arrival.
- The plateau air is very dry. Apply thick moisturizing cream. Carry lip balm with you.
Sunset at Zhangye Danxia Landform
What Documents Are Needed for Traveling to Northwest China?
Most areas in Northwest China have no special restrictions on foreign tourists, unlike Tibet which requires a Tibet Travel Permit. But there are a few points to note:
- Foreign tourists need a valid Chinese visa. Hong Kong and Macao residents use Home Return Permits. Taiwan compatriots use Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents. The validity period of documents is recommended to be at least 6 months or more.
- Border areas in Xinjiang (such as Kanas, Baihaba, Taxkorgan, Muji Volcanic Crater) require a Border Pass. You can ask a travel agency to handle it after arriving locally, or handle it in advance at the public security organ in your departure city.
- Conventional scenic spots in Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia and Shaanxi are fully open to foreigners, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan compatriots. Just bring your passport or permit to enter normally.
Why Are Mogao Caves Tickets Hard to Buy? How to Book Tickets for Other Scenic Spots?
Mogao Caves tickets are the hardest to buy in Northwest China. The scenic spot implements a strict real-name time-sharing reservation and flow restriction policy. Only 6,000 regular tickets are limited per day in peak season. Type A regular ticket is 238 CNY, including 2 digital movies and 8 physical caves. Emergency ticket is 100 CNY, only including 4 caves. You need to book and buy tickets in advance on the official platform for visiting.
Key points for booking other scenic spots:
- Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring off-season ticket is 60 CNY. You can enter for free multiple times within three days with one ticket, suitable for staying a few more days to enjoy slowly.
- When going to natural scenic spots in peak season, it is recommended to buy tickets in advance on official channels or regular platforms one or two days earlier. It is faster than queuing on site. The ticket price is occasionally a little cheaper.
- Some 5A-level scenic spots in Gansu offer joint discounts. With any ticket of Jiayuguan Pass, Zhangye Danxia Landform or Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring, you can get a 20% discount when visiting the other two scenic spots.
Is It Better to Charter a Car or Carpool for Traveling to Northwest China?
Northwest China is large and scenic spots are far apart. Transportation mode directly determines travel experience and cost.
Chartered Car
Suitable for three to four people traveling together. Chartering an SUV costs 800 to 1500 CNY per day. For four people sharing, it is 200 to 375 CNY per person per day. The advantage of chartering a car is that you can stop at any time. There is a local driver to lead the way. No need to plan the route by yourself. Please confirm whether the other party has a formal operation license before signing the contract. Regular companies equip each car with GPS, driving recorder, first-aid kit and plateau emergency oxygen supply equipment.
Carpool
More convenient and cost-effective. You can find carpool groups in youth hostels, travel platforms or local travel agencies. Generally 4 to 8 people per car, taking classic loop lines. The fare is about 150 to 300 CNY per person per day (including driver, fuel cost and tolls). Suitable for solo travelers who do not want to worry about planning.
Self-driving
Suitable for people who like to arrange freely and have driving experience. Road conditions are complex in many parts of Northwest China. Mobile phone signal is often unavailable. Novices should be cautious.
What Safety Precautions Should Be Taken for Traveling to Northwest China?
The public security in Northwest China is very good overall. But there are a few things to note:
- There are some undeveloped uninhabited areas and nature reserves in Qinghai and Xinjiang, such as Lop Nur, Altun Mountains and Kanbula. Do not enter without permission. There is no mobile phone signal, no road signs and no rescue in these areas.
- Scenic spot announcements usually remind of high altitude, large temperature difference and strong ultraviolet radiation. You need to prepare warm clothes, sun protection supplies and drinking water. Do not make a fire outside the scenic spot. Do not enter restricted areas. Do not climb rock walls.
- Check the vehicle condition before self-driving. Download offline maps. Pay attention to sun protection and water supplement in desert areas. The weather changes quickly in mountainous areas. Carry a windproof jacket with you.
How to Dress and Pack Luggage for Traveling to Northwest China?
The temperature difference between morning and evening is large in Northwest China, especially in high-altitude areas where it is hot during the day and cold at night. Layered dressing is the most reliable: wear quick-drying sweat-wicking underwear at the innermost layer, add a fleece jacket or thin down jacket in the middle, and put on a windproof storm jacket outside.
You can prepare the luggage list as follows:
- Sunscreen (SPF50+), sunglasses, wide-brimmed hat. Ultraviolet radiation is very strong in Northwest China, which is often overlooked.
- Lip balm, high-moisturizing cream. Northwest China is very dry. It is recommended to apply body lotion after taking a bath.
- Comfortable hiking shoes or non-slip sports shoes. Thick socks.
- Thermos cup. Drinking plenty of warm water helps relieve altitude sickness.
- Medicines: Rhodiola rosea (start taking one week before departure), Gaoyuan’an, carsickness medicine, cold medicine, gastrointestinal medicine, band-aid.
- A small amount of cash. Mobile payment is unavailable in some remote areas without mobile phone signal.
Is It Convenient to Travel to Northwest China Alone? How Much Does It Cost Approximately?
Is it convenient to travel alone: Quite convenient. Many youth hostels and carpool groups welcome solo travelers. You can also make new friends on the way. Solo carpooling will not be charged extra, because the fare is shared per capita.
Cost Reference
The cost mainly depends on accommodation grade, dining standard and travel duration. If you choose a moderately comfortable group tour (including car, accommodation and part of the tickets), it costs about 3500 to 5500 CNY per person. If you take public transport plus youth hostel throughout the trip, you can control it at about 2500 CNY. If you charter a car plus four-star hotel throughout the trip, it may cost more than 8000 CNY. These costs do not include the fare from your departure city to Northwest China.
What Practical Tips Are There for Traveling to Northwest China?
- Remember to rent shoe covers when visiting Chaka Salt Lake (rent 10 CNY, deposit 50 CNY). The lake water is corrosive to a certain extent, so it is not recommended to walk barefoot.
- The sunset at Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring is well worth watching. The sunset time in summer is until 8 or 9 p.m. Bring enough drinking water before entering the park.
- Taking photos is prohibited inside Mogao Caves. You must follow the official commentator closely so that you can hear the stories behind the murals.
- Most areas of Qinghai have a high altitude. Do some aerobic exercises properly before departure to enhance cardiopulmonary function and better adapt to the plateau environment.
Double Check These Things Before Departure
Please check the following items before departure: Have you booked Mogao Caves tickets? Have you brought your storm jacket? Is the power bank fully charged? Do you have enough cash? The validity period of your passport or permit is recommended to be at least 6 months or more. It is better to save an electronic scan in your mobile phone for emergencies. Check the recent local weather forecast before departure. Know the latest opening hours of scenic spots, especially many scenic spots shorten their business hours in off-season. If you have special dietary needs, such as being vegetarian or allergic to certain foods, you’d better inform China Dragon Travel or your guide in advance. After making these preparations, you can set off with peace of mind. Wish you a smooth and pleasant journey.
