Live Your Best Lives
The Northwest Legend Photography Route, Gannan and Lianbaoyezhe, is in full bloom! It's both majestic and culturally rich, and the Northwest Loop is in excellent condition with stable temperatures!
You can also enjoy light hiking and camping, with various ways to play and rich shooting subjects!
Photographers highly recommend this summer travel route! Below is a collection of photos and a map of the route.
Camera body: DSLR or mirrorless camera body is preferred, brand and model are not limited (it is recommended to bring 1-2 spare batteries)
Lens: Wide-angle and telephoto lenses are frequently used. Wide-angle lenses are used to shoot starry skies, large scenes, environmental portraits, deserts, Gobi, and other subjects. Telephoto lenses are used to shoot close-ups of mountains and humanities.
Drone: If you recommend bringing one, there are many areas along the route where you can take aerial photos (except for some sensitive areas where drones are expressly prohibited). 2-3 spare batteries are sufficient, and there are probably places where you can charge them every day.
Memory card: It is recommended to carry a total of more than 256G, and a single card should not exceed 128G to avoid damage
Filter: Consider carrying an ND64 to photograph daytime clouds and streams.
Tripod: Essential for shooting time-lapse videos, as well as starry skies, sunrises, and sunsets
Altitude: The average altitude in Gannan is about 3,200 meters. The oxygen content in the atmosphere is only about 70% of that in the plains. Due to the high altitude and low oxygen content, people who first arrive in Gannan will experience altitude sickness. You can eliminate the reaction by taking glucose, rhodiola rosea, single crystal rock sugar, and other sugar drugs. At the same time, you should drink plenty of boiled water, rest more, keep warm, and avoid strenuous exercise. In addition, you should adjust your mentality and not be afraid or worried.
Clothing: Gannan is located in the Tibetan Plateau, with high altitudes, strong UV rays, and large temperature swings between day and night. Qinghai also experiences large temperature swings between day and night, and strong winds are possible. Since we'll be photographing sunrises and sunsets, we recommend packing shorts and long pants for daytime wear. For sunrise and sunset Milky Way photography, we recommend a windbreaker, a thin down lining, a fleece jacket, and thermal underwear. Sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen are also essential.
Customs: Observe local customs wherever you go. The Gannan region, influenced by Tibetan religion, has developed unique practices and customs that shouldn't be viewed with the same sensible attitude. Avoid watching a sky burial alone, as this can offend the locals, bring trouble upon yourself, and create unnecessary trouble.
Tibetan temples are uniquely constructed and have a distinctive style. During holidays, Tibetans often wear vibrant, colorful clothing, attracting photographers. However, it's important to note that while most temples' surrounding buildings are free to photograph, photography is strictly prohibited inside the temples. Many Tibetans dislike being photographed, so when photographing, be sure to greet them in a friendly manner to ensure they are confident and avoid unnecessary arguments.
Spitting, touching heads or shoulders, and making loud noises are taboos, so don't do them.
Food: Different regions have different food cultures and tastes. Gannan's food is mainly beef and mutton. In addition, there are noodle shops in a few areas. Due to the high altitude, the noodles are not cooked well. The dishes are mainly Sichuan cuisine with spicy flavors. Gannan's catering conditions are poor, so be prepared in advance. You can bring some instant noodles and other food to prevent you from not adapting to the local taste.
Accommodation: Gannan's economy is relatively poor. Hotels are of low quality, but they generally have basic facilities. Most hotels do not have disposable items, so please bring your own in advance.
Luggage backpack: The recommended suitcase is about 25 inches, and you can also carry a camera bag.
The twenty-two bends left us dizzy. On one side stood towering stalagmites, and on the other was a vast wheat field. At night, we went deep into the stone forest. The towering stone pillars blocked out the remaining light pollution. The only sound in our ears was the roar of our car and the brilliant Milky Way. We felt this wild atmosphere.
There are many subjects for photography in the Yellow River Stone Forest. You can take pictures of sheepskin rafts on the Yellow River and herdsmen in the stone forest, as well as the night view of the twenty-two bends of the railway track. You can also take pictures of the Milky Way in the Yellow River Stone Forest late at night.
Tips:
Drones, tripods, telephoto and wide-angle lenses can all be used at this attraction, so it is recommended to bring them.
Pay attention to the exposure time when photographing the Milky Way. Nowadays, camera pixels are relatively high, and too long exposure time can easily form star trails (it is recommended that the exposure time should not exceed 300 ÷ focal length, commonly known as the 300 rule, use a large aperture, and the ISO should not be too high).
Turtle City was originally built in the Ming Dynasty to defend against foreign invasions. It is also located at the eastern gate of the Hexi Corridor and is a key pass on the ancient Silk Road. With the deterioration of the environment and the prosperity of the motherland, people gradually evacuated here. The current castle is like a lonely boat in the desert. Only a few elderly people remain, strolling in the ancient city, casually guarding their sheep, perhaps because of a belief that keeps them here.
In Yongtai Ancient City, you can take photos of the Milky Way at the city gate, villagers grazing at dusk, and take aerial photos of the Turtle City from a drone. You can also go into the city to explore the ruins and take some documentary photos.
Tips:
Drones, tripods, and telephoto and wide-angle lenses are all acceptable for this attraction, so bringing them is recommended. When photographing the Milky Way, pay attention to exposure time. Modern cameras have high-resolution cameras, and long exposure times can easily create star trails. (We recommend exposure times no longer than 300/focal length, commonly known as the 300 rule.) Use a wide aperture and a low ISO. Also, pay attention to weather and cloud cover. If there's rain or clouds at night, and there's no window to view the Milky Way, there's no need to wait for the Milky Way.
Heading south and west all the way, we drive into the depths of the basin. It is a journey of nearly a thousand kilometers, and the scenery along the road is also unique.
In the car, you can use a telephoto lens to take pictures of the water and sky merging into one and the wavy road on the roadside.
Tips:
The shutter speed must be high enough, because you are shooting in a car. A shutter speed that is too slow will cause the photo to be blurred. If it is underexposed, you can increase the ISO a little. (Be careful and don't stick the lens out of the car window)
In the evening, we arrived at the alien battlefield. We explored carefully. No one knew whether the next step would lead to a magnificent view or a deep quagmire. Every step was unknown and required concentration and caution.
The Emerald Lake is surrounded by mountains on all sides. The salt lake is very large, with many small salt ponds to find and photograph. The shape of the salt ponds changes every year. If you are lucky, you can find a heart-shaped salt pond as the foreground. (If the drone battery is sufficient, you can use one battery to fly a little lower to find a good-looking salt pond.)
Tips:
Drones, tripods, and wide-angle lenses can all be used at this attraction, so it is recommended to bring them.
When traveling, pay attention to the weather and cloud cover. If it rains or clouds at night and there is no window, there is no need to wait for the Milky Way. If it is cloudy, you can also try to shoot the sunrise and sunset, which may give you a different feeling, or you may have a chance to encounter a brief window and glimpse a hint of warm colors.
Wide-angle lenses are mostly used during shooting, and even multiple 14mm lenses may be used for stitching. For this type of stitching, it is recommended to use a tripod and fixed color temperature in the camera, M mode, and manual operation to increase the success rate of post-stitching.
Pay attention to the exposure time when photographing the Milky Way. Nowadays, camera pixels are relatively high, and too long exposure time can easily form star trails (it is recommended that the exposure time should not exceed 300 ÷ focal length, commonly known as the 300 rule, use a large aperture, and the ISO should not be too high).
The Martian sunset is blue. Dust particles are numerous and large, and the harsh environment scatters the red in the sunlight, making it difficult to distinguish between twilight and the waxing and waning of the moon. As I continued to explore this planet, the rumbling in my ears grew louder. Was I hallucinating? I dragged my exhausted body toward the roaring sound. There really is water on Mars!
Oboliang is very close to the Mars Base. If you're interested, you can stay overnight at the base, though accommodations there are more expensive. Alternatively, you can bring your own tent and camp at Oboliang. Explore downstream along the Oboliang Sulphur Lake, where small waterfalls form at the drop-off point, perfect for foreground photography. If you can't find a better foreground, you can take selfies with handheld lights within the Danxia group.
Tips:
It is recommended to bring a wide-angle lens, drone, tripod, and Oboliang. You can also shoot sunrise, sunset, starry sky and drone aerial photography.
Wide-angle lenses are mostly used when shooting, and even multiple 14mm lenses are required for stitching. For this type of stitching, it is recommended to use a tripod and fixed color temperature in the camera, M mode, and manual operation to increase the success rate of stitching.
When taking selfies, after the tripod is firmly set up, you can use the camera to shoot at intervals, so that you can appear in the picture and become a beautiful landscape.
Pay attention to the exposure time when photographing the Milky Way. Nowadays, camera pixels are relatively high, and too long exposure time can easily form star trails (it is recommended that the exposure time should not exceed 300 ÷ focal length, commonly known as the 300 rule, use a large aperture, and the ISO should not be too high).
After driving out of the Martian Highway, we passed a power station and a ground spring called the "Devil's Eye" by the locals. From a God's perspective, we could see the whole thing, which was very different from what we saw with the naked eye.
The photovoltaic power station and Aiken Spring are both good aerial photography locations, so you don't have to wait for sunrise or sunset. If you're visiting, the scenery is unremarkable from the ground. The drone is quite good for both video and single photos.
Tips:
Pay attention to the signal when taking off. If you control the drone from a car, the signal may be poor. It is recommended not to fly beyond visual range. When taking off and landing, you can lay a cloth on the ground or perform it on the roof of the car. There is too much sand on the ground, which can easily damage the aircraft.
"The sand was really blown here by the strong wind." Qinghai Lake is the largest inland lake in my country, equivalent to the size of 666 West Lakes, but there is no desert beside West Lake. The year-round northwest wind in Qinghai has added a new neighbor to West Lake.
The Qinghai Lake area is perennially subject to strong northwesterly winds. Due to the vast expanse of the lake, these winds are incredibly strong, sweeping sand from the sand source areas on the west shore directly toward the east. This strong wind pushes these sands toward the eastern shore of Qinghai Lake. These perennial northwesterly winds also cause the lake's waters to deflect toward the east coast, constantly pushing sediment from the lake toward the east shore.
Tips:
It's recommended to bring a wide-angle camera, telephoto lens, drone, and tripod. Lay your jacket flat on the ground during drone takeoff and landing to prevent sand from entering the camera. Try to use a tripod with a snap-on lock to minimize sand ingress. Be extremely careful when changing lenses in the desert to avoid damage to your CMOS sensor. Avoid changing lenses unless necessary.
Zhagana in the early morning is just like what Locke described in his article, a paradise on earth hidden in the clouds.
Millions of years ago, a divine brush swished ink across the canvas at the border of Qinghai and Sichuan, transforming it into a divine preserve. Heading there, my body in hell, my eyes in heaven. My breathing quickens with the rising altitude, yet my soul experiences more than just a cleansing. At this moment, no more words are needed.
Our trip was during flower season, so we could see many small flowers in full bloom on the lotus leaves. In the mornings and at sunset, mist would drift around the mountaintops. The chances of seeing sunset and sunrise glows in June are also very high.
Tips:
It is recommended to bring a tripod, wide-angle lens, drone, and lens paper (water droplets may fall on it when shooting). There are many streams and small yellow flowers in the lotus leaf that can be used as the foreground for shooting. Pay more attention to the scenery under your feet. Use the tripod to the lowest position when shooting, and the stream can also be turned into a big waterfall.
This is a combination of the Northwest Legend Photography Route and the Gannan + Lianbaoyezhe Photography Route. It is also the flower season now, with a wealth of shooting subjects, plus the opportunity to shoot some humanities and environmental portraits. In June and July, the temperature in the Northwest region is slightly cool and suitable, the climate is stable, and the road conditions are good. It is a route that has both majestic atmosphere and humanities documentary, and is definitely worth a visit.
