Dragon Boat Festival Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop: Three Popular Route Recommendations

Finally, no make-up days for this year's Dragon Boat Festival 🎉! I have to seize the opportunity to visit the Northwest! The grass in Qinghai is so green and relaxing 🌿, and the temperature is comfortable. I've compiled three popular routes. Just go for it!
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📜 Qinghai-Gansu Pre-trip Checklist
Documents 📄: ID card, student ID
Electronics 🔌: Charging cable, power bank, mobile phone, headphones, camera
💊: Cold medicine, gastrointestinal medicine, bandages, mosquito repellent spray
Clothing 👗: Beach shoes, swimsuit, swimming cap, sun protection clothing, sunglasses, sun hat
Cosmetics and skin care products 💄: Toner, lotion, cream, high SPF sunscreen, makeup remover oil, facial cleanser, moisturizing mask, shower gel
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👗 Qinghai-Gansu Outfit Guide
Top 👚: Long-sleeved shirt, thin windbreaker, warm knit sweater (The temperature difference between day and night on the Qinghai-Gansu loop is large, so it's easy to put on, take off, and mix and match.)
Bottom 👖: Casual pants, sports sweatpants (windproof and warm, suitable for all kinds of road conditions)
Shoes 👟: Hiking shoes, sneakers (suitable for long walks)
Accessories 🕶️: Wide-brimmed fisherman hat, windproof mask, UV-resistant sunglasses (to block wind and sand and resist strong light)
💡 Tips:
Girls should bring more bright-colored dresses 👗 for easy and photogenic shots by the lake!
Choose comfortable shoes, after all, you have to walk a lot 👣.
Be sure to apply sunscreen, and don't be careless on cloudy days!
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🌄 Must-See Attractions in Qinghai-Gansu
Emerald Lake 💎: The lake reflects the blue sky and white clouds, as if walking into a fairy tale world.
Qinghai Lake 🌊: Golden rapeseed flower fields next to a dreamy blue lake
Chaka Salt Lake ⛰️: A popular sky mirror; remember to take the small train.
Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring 🏜️: A unique landscape in the desert, a pearl on the ancient Silk Road
Mogao Grottoes 🎨: Mysterious Dunhuang murals that have stood the test of thousands of years
Danxia Landform 🌈: Danxia landforms and colorful hills complement each other.
U-shaped Road 🚗: The Chinese version of Route 66, uniquely shaped and easy to photograph
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🌟 Trip Highlights
1️⃣ Easy for family trips 👨👩👧👦
2️⃣ Visit popular attractions in one go 📸
3️⃣ In-depth pure play small group, good experience 👌
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🗺️ Overview of 3 Popular Routes
Route A: 6 Days and 5 Nights on the Qinghai-Gansu Loop
D1: Xining → Riyue Mountain → Qinghai Lake → Chaka Town
D2: Chaka → Chaka Salt Lake → Emerald Lake → Da Qaidam
D3: Qaidam Basin → Yardang Landform → Characteristic Town → Dunhuang
D4: Dunhuang → Mogao Grottoes → Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring → Dunhuang
D5: Dunhuang → Sculpture of the Son of the Earth / Jiayuguan → Danxia Landform → Zhangye
D6: Zhangye → Qilian Grassland → Distant View of Gangshika Snow Mountain → Rapeseed Flowers → Xining
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Route B: 5 Days and 6 Nights of Compact Fun
D1: Xining → Riyue Mountain → Qinghai Lake → Chaka Salt Lake → Delingha
D2: Delingha → Emerald Lake → Petroleum Town → Dunhuang
D3: Dunhuang → Mogao Grottoes → Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring → Dunhuang
D4: Dunhuang → Son of the Earth / Jiayuguan → Zhangye Danxia Landform → Zhangye
D5: Zhangye → Qilian Grassland → Distant View of Gangshika Snow Mountain → Menyuan Rapeseed Flower Field (July) → Xining
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Route C: 6 Days and 5 Nights of Water and Yardang Exploration
D1: Xining → Riyue Mountain → Qinghai Lake → Chaka Salt Lake → Delingha
D2: Delingha → 315 U-shaped Road → Qinghai Yardang Landform → Water Yardang
D3: Da Qaidam → Emerald Lake → Petroleum Town → Dunhuang
D4: Dunhuang → Mogao Grottoes → Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring → Dunhuang
D5: Dunhuang → Sculpture of the Son of the Earth / Jiayuguan → Danxia Landform → Zhangye
D6: Zhangye → Qilian Grassland → Distant View of Gangshika Snow Mountain → Menyuan Rapeseed Flower → Xining
⚠️ Reminder: Taking photos on the U-shaped road should be done under professional guidance. Take photos at safe parking spots and do not park on the main road!
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📌 Qinghai-Gansu Travel Tips
Prepare some high-calorie snacks 🥨. Crispy rice crackers, Snickers, and biscuits are a must.
If it's your first time to the Great Northwest, it is not recommended to drive yourself 🚗. The routes are complicated, and the bus tour experience is average. It is more worry-free to charter a local pure play car and you can also meet new friends 👫.
The Northwest's mutton and beef taste good, but don't overeat. Give your stomach some time to adapt, and don't drink cold drinks ❄️ even when it's hot.