Wind, Snow, and Salt Light: A 6-Day Journey Through the Qinghai-Gansu Loop

Day 1｜Xining → Qilian Mountain Grasslands → Shandoukou Scenery → Zhangye Danxia Landform
The temperature in Xining in early October was already cool. As we drove from the city towards the Qilian Mountains, the weather was initially clear. However, as we ventured deeper into the mountains, the clouds thickened, and suddenly, fine snow began to fall. Everyone was taken aback—our anticipated autumn scenery was gently disrupted by a snowfall. Snowflakes clung to the car windows, melting into streaks of water, while the distant mountain peaks were dusted with a thin layer of white. At that moment, no one spoke; only the sound of the heater filled the air.

After passing Shandoukou, the sky gradually cleared, and sunlight bathed the snow-washed grasslands, making them dazzlingly pristine. By evening, we arrived in Zhangye, where the colorful Danxia landform glowed with orange-red hues under the setting sun. The interplay of warm and cool tones felt like two seasons of the journey converging at this point.

Day 2｜Zhangye → Guazhou's "Son of the Earth" → Dunhuang (Shazhou Night Market)
We left Zhangye early in the morning, watching the scenery transition from grasslands to desert terrain. Passing through Guazhou, the vast, flat expanse of land was almost dizzying. By afternoon, we reached Dunhuang, where the wind carried fine sand. At night, we explored the bustling Shazhou Night Market, where the aroma of grilled skewers mingled with the sweetness of raisins, creating a lively yet nomadic atmosphere.

Day 3｜A Day in Dunhuang: Mogao Caves, Crescent Moon Spring, and Mingsha Mountain
In the morning, we visited the Mogao Caves. The dim lighting illuminated the murals, and though we only explored eight caves, they were captivating enough to linger in our minds. Many of us bought books to savor the details later. In the afternoon, we headed to Crescent Moon Spring and Mingsha Mountain. Riding camels through the dunes, the fine sand beneath our feet felt like powder, and the camels' bells echoed softly in the wind. Later, we switched to desert off-road vehicles, racing up and down the slopes, our laughter carried away by the wind.

As night fell, music drifted from the edge of the dunes—an open-air desert concert. The lights reflected off the sand, blending the night with the crowd. In that moment, Dunhuang no longer felt distant; it seemed to glow within our hearts.

Day 4｜Dunhuang → Emerald Lake → Dachaidan
We embarked on a long drive to Dachaidan, stopping at Emerald Lake along the way. The lake's green surface resembled a gem embedded in the earth, where the sky and water merged seamlessly. When the wind rippled across the lake, the reflections shattered into light. By evening, we arrived at the tranquil town of Dachaidan and visited the Dachaidan Emerald Night Market.

Day 5｜Dachaidan → Chaka Salt Lake
In the morning, we departed Dachaidan and headed to Chaka Salt Lake. Its beauty was breathtaking—a stretch of apple-green water shimmered with a cold light under the sun. The lake's edges were lined with layers of salt crystals, resembling natural walls sculpted by nature.

As the wind swept across, ripples formed on the lake's surface, and the light refracted by the salt crystals created soft, silvery edges. The air carried the scent of salt and minerals—clean, bright, and almost silent. There were few visitors, leaving only the sky, the lake, and the salt, evoking a sense of exotic beauty.

Day 6｜Chaka → Qinghai Lake → Riyue Mountain → Xining
We set off in the morning for Qinghai Lake. The sky was high and the clouds sparse, with the vast lake shimmering under the sunlight. Descending from Riyue Mountain, the rapeseed flowers had already withered. Borrowing a boat from the locals, we enjoyed the scenery of the back lake. On the return journey, our car got stuck in a ditch, but thanks to the locals' help, we managed to get out safely. By dusk, we returned to Xining and rushed to the Tibetan Culture Museum—a treasure trove that truly deserves more time to explore.

Looking back on the journey, the snow of Qilian, the sands of Dunhuang, and the light of Chaka still linger in our eyes. As the trip ended, the world felt smaller, yet the boundaries of our hearts had been pushed further by the wind.