Day 1: All over the country → → Lanzhou ★ Gathering day
All day
Team members from all over the country are welcome to join us in Lanzhou. If you have more time today, we recommend arriving early and checking into your assigned hotel. The team leader will meet everyone at the hotel at 7:00 PM for a pre-trip meeting and equipment check. Any adjustments to the timetable will be announced separately.
After checking in, you can explore the city center on your own or in a group (including the Lanzhou Zhongshan Bridge, the Yellow River Mother Statue, and the Lanzhou Waterwheel Park). In the evening, you can enjoy local snacks at the Zhengning Road Night Market. During free time, please pay attention to traffic safety and personal and financial security! Lanzhou is a city known for its culinary heritage. Stepping into any Northwest Chinese restaurant feels like a scene from "New Dragon Gate Inn": Tartars speaking Lanzhou dialect swiftly manipulate the blades of sheep bones, dismembering the mutton in a dazzling display of neat, distinct slices while retaining the appearance of the whole animal.
Day 2 Lanzhou → Luqu County → Zhagana
All day
Departing Lanzhou this morning, we journey south, admiring the loess landscape, crisscrossed by ravines and gullies. We exit the highway in Hezuo City at noon for resupply. The afternoon continues with a scenic drive through the grasslands. Here, the sky is a breathtaking shade of blue, like a reflective jade, reflecting the myriad forms of life. Furry, white clouds of various shapes hover so low they seem within reach. Even the streams alongside the path are breathtakingly green. Every patch of grassland here is a painting, every glance a scene, every step a story. The majestic beauty of the mountains and rivers, the scenery reminiscent of legends, the harmoniously developed pure land, the generous and simple folk customs, and the brilliant and diverse culture—this is no mere dream.
Stay overnight in Zhaganadongwa Village at night.
Day 3 Zhagana → Negandawa Sacred Mountain → Stone Forest → Guanggai Mountain Pass → Jiaobuke Pass → Dongcai Camp
All day
【Hiking details】
Hike about 17km, about 8 hours, climb 1200m
If the scenic area shuttle bus is not running, you may need to walk an additional 3km and climb 100m.
【Itinerary Details】
After breakfast, we geared up and set off on our northward hike along the scenic Rongnaogou Gorge. We first followed the cement road to the canyon's entrance, which resembles a stone gate known as the "Naga Stone Gate," also known as the "Gate of Hell." Once inside, we followed the wide pastoral path. Although it was a dirt road, the path was clearly marked, with steep stone cliffs on either side and no side roads. The path continued uphill.
After about two hours, we arrived at the foot of the sacred Mount Negandawa at an altitude of 3,840 meters. We then continued on to a flat and open canyon called Marsondo at an altitude of 3,560 meters, where we stopped for lunch.
After lunch, we continued along the valley pastoral path, passing the Zhagana Stone Forest and heading east. The altitude gradually increased, following the clear pastoral path along the stream. We climbed up and down the valley, crossing the Guanggai Mountain Pass, the Wuming Small Pass, and the Jiaobuke Pass. Then, we descended along the river valley. After about an hour and a half, we arrived at a large, flat, open grassland for camping. With a stream flowing nearby, it was an ideal campsite. Because the canyon behind the mountain is called "Dongcai Canyon," some people call this campsite Dongcai.
Day 4: Dongcai Camp → Qinggaoke Pass → Baobeike Pass → Kalake Pass → Wuming Camp
All day
【Hiking details】
The hike is about 14 km, takes 6-8 hours, with an ascent of about 800 meters and a descent of about 500 meters.
【Itinerary Details】
Today we need to cross four passes, including the highest Kalak Pass (4140M) and cross a steep Danxia exposed area, which is a test of our physical fitness.
After breakfast, we set out from Dongcai Camp and ascended into Dongcai Canyon.
We started to cross Qinggaoke Pass, Baobeike Pass, and the nameless small pass in turn.
After crossing three consecutive passes at altitudes between 3800 and 3950 meters, we prepared to cross the Karak Pass, the highest of this trek. We then followed a gravel road across to the exposed Danxia area, where the road continued along weathered gravel. After crossing this Danxia area, we crossed an unnamed pass and entered a vast alpine meadow area, home to a large number of yaks, resembling a natural pasture. Descending along the meadow, we crossed it for another half-hour and arrived at the Qikena Ridge, a unique Danxia landform.
Day 5: Wuming Camp → Dashishi → Anziku Pasture → Herders’ Camp
All day
【Hiking details】
Hike about 12 km, climb about 200 m, descend about 700 m
【Itinerary Details】
After breakfast, we left camp and climbed slightly through the valley before continuing our traverse downhill. Passing Dabianshi and Naizishan, we began to see some herders' houses. This is Anziku Pasture, home to a large number of Zhagana herders. The mountains, meadows, and villages create a Shangri-La-like atmosphere. After resting in Anziku, we continued through the woods to camp on the meadow at the mouth of the canyon.
Day 6: Herders’ Camp → Yixiantian → Guanyinshi Pass → Dayugou Scenic Area → Minxian County
All day
【Hiking details】
Hiking distance 9km, climbing about 400m, descending about 500m
【Itinerary Details】
After packing up in the morning, we set off. After passing through a canyon (Tiger Mouth), we arrived at Suoke Camp. Leaving the camp, we began to cross the last pass of this trip—Suoke Pass. The descent along the ridge is quite steep, so walk slowly. As we descended into the valley, we found ourselves surrounded by vast forests and streams. As we slowly approached, we came into view of herders and the road. We boarded our waiting vehicle and headed to Minxian County. That evening, we washed away our fatigue and enjoyed our celebration banquet.
Day 7 Minxian★Disbandment Day
All day
Today is the all-day disbanding day, and you are free to book train tickets back to Lanzhou.
