DAY 1 | Arrival in Xining: Acclimate and Enjoy Local Cuisine
After arriving in Xining, take it easy to adjust to the city’s 2,200-meter elevation. Explore the city in the evening if you’re not too tired:
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Mojia Street: Hand-pulled lamb, beef noodles
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Limeng Pedestrian Street: Lots of local snacks
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Xinqian Night Market: Tibetan-style snacks, barley cakes, yak yogurt
Tips:
Stay hydrated and get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow starts the higher-altitude portion of your journey.
DAY 2 | Xining → Laji Mountain → Qinghai Lake (Heimahe) → Chaka Salt Lake
📍 Laji Mountain Viewpoint
A short stop (~40 min) at the border of the Loess Plateau and Tibetan Plateau. Great for photos and warming up for the road ahead.
📍 Qinghai Lake – Heimahe
Open views and vast scenery, perfect for morning light photography. Seasonal highlights:
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Blue lake waters
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Summer rapeseed and lavender fields
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Pebble beaches and seabirds
📍 Chaka Salt Lake (Sky Mirror)
A highlight of the trip. On sunny days, the reflections are spectacular.
Practical tips:
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Bring wet wipes for salt-covered feet
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Strong UV; wear sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
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Shoe covers available for rent; avoid deep salt pits
Chaka Salt Lake
DAY 3 | Chaka → Qarhan Salt Lake → Golmud / Da Qaidam
Travel across the Qaidam Basin with its iconic desert landscapes.
📍 Qarhan Salt Lake
The world’s second-largest salt lake with crystal-like formations. Ideal for photos with white salt flats and art installations.
Tips: Bring sun protection, sunglasses, and wet wipes. Free wash stations are at the park entrance.
Evening dining options in Golmud: hand-grasp lamb, roasted buns, firewood chicken.
Qarhan Salt Lake
DAY 4 | Da Qaidam → Dongtai Ji Nai’er Lake → Water Yadan → U-shaped Highway → Return to Da Qaidam
📍 Dongtai Ji Nai’er Lake (Tiffany Blue)
A roadside viewpoint with vivid blue water in the desert.
📍 Water Yadan
Spectacular Yadan landforms reflected in desert water. A surreal photography spot.
📍 U-shaped Highway (G315)
Popular for scenic photos. Exercise caution; some sections are remote.
Tip: Carry snacks and water; food options are limited.
Water Yadan
DAY 5 | Da Qaidam → Emerald Lake → Black Mountain → Lenghu Oil Town → Dunhuang
📍 Emerald Lake
Undeveloped salt lake with stunning gem-colored water (~6 km²). Drone photography optional.
📍 Black Mountain / Black Gobi
A lunar-like landscape ideal for dramatic photos.
📍 Lenghu Oil Town
Abandoned town with a post-apocalyptic vibe.
Arrive in Dunhuang for hotel or desert camp stay. Desert activities (optional) include:
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Sandboarding, dune driving, dune motorbikes
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Desert KTV, BBQ, bonfire, fireworks
Tip: Bring water, sunscreen, hat, and follow safety rules.
Hei Dushan
DAY 6 | Dunhuang: Mogao Caves → Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Lake → Shazhou Night Market
📍 Mogao Caves
World-class Buddhist art and murals. Book tickets in advance; guided tours recommended.
📍 Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Lake
Sunset is the best time to see the dunes and oasis. Optional activities:
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Camel riding (~CNY100)
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Sandboarding (~CNY25–30)
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Dune buggy (~CNY300)
Evening visit to Shazhou Night Market for local snacks: donkey meat noodles, apricot juice, lamb stew.
Mingsha Mountain
DAY 7 | Dunhuang → Desert Art → Jiayuguan → Zhangye Danxia
📍 Desert Art (Son of the Earth / Mirage)
Unique desert sculptures, very photogenic.
📍 Jiayuguan Pass
The western end of the Ming Great Wall. A key historical Silk Road site.
📍 Zhangye Danxia National Geopark
Colorful rainbow mountains. Sunset brings the best light for photography.
Jiayuguan
DAY 8 | Zhangye → Biandukou → Qilian Grasslands → Daban Mountain → Return to Xining
📍 Qilian Mountain Grasslands
Green valleys, snow-capped mountains, and pastoral scenery. Horse riding available.
📍 Menyuan Rape Flower Fields (early July–early August)
Golden fields in bloom; free viewing from Daban Mountain Observation Deck.
Evening return to Xining marks the completion of the loop.
Qilian Mountain Range
DAY 9 Returning from Xining
Delivery from Xining Airport or Railway Station.
🧭 Who is this loop for?
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Nature lovers and photographers
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Those wanting to see diverse landscapes in one trip
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Comfortable with long drives and early starts
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First-time visitors to Qinghai and Gansu
⚠️ High-altitude Travel Tips
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Stay hydrated and limit alcohol
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Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat
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Dress in layers for temperature changes
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Moderate activity and rest when needed
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Report any unusual symptoms immediately
