The Ultimate Northwest Scenery

7-Day Northwest Grand Loop Hiking Guide✨ The stunning landscapes of Qinghai and Gansu have me completely captivated! This trip covers snow-capped mountains, lakes, deserts, and gobi all in one go, and I just can’t stop taking photos📸

🌈 Itinerary:
Day 1️⃣ Xining - Qinghai Lake
Qinghai Lake is really huge and so blue! Erlangjian Scenic Area lets you get close to the lake water, ticket price 90 RMB. It’s recommended to wear bright-colored dresses for photos, and bring a jacket because it’s windy by the lake~

Day 2️⃣ Chaka Salt Lake - Emerald Lake
Chaka Salt Lake truly looks like the Mirror of the Sky! Ticket 60 RMB + small train 50 RMB, make sure to go on a sunny day to see the reflection effect. Emerald Lake looks like a spilled palette, the blue-green water is breathtaking!

Day 3️⃣ National Highway 315 - Water Yadan
The U-shaped road is super cool for photos! Water Yadan ticket 60 RMB + sightseeing vehicle 60 RMB, it’s best to go in the evening when the light is softest. Bring mosquito repellent spray because there are lots of mosquitoes!

Day 4️⃣ Mogao Caves - Mingsha Mountain
Remember to book an A-class ticket for Mogao Caves in advance! Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring ticket 110 RMB, camel riding 100 RMB/person, it’s recommended to go in the morning or evening, otherwise the sand will burn your feet🔥

Day 5️⃣ Jiayuguan - Zhangye
Jiayuguan Fortress combo ticket 110 RMB, Zhangye Danxia ticket + shuttle 93 RMB, the best viewing platform is No. 4, sunset is the most beautiful time!

Day 6️⃣ Qilian Grassland - Menyuan
The Qilian Grassland in summer looks like a Windows desktop! Menyuan rapeseed flowers are at their peak in July, with golden flower seas stretching for dozens of kilometers🌼

Day 7️⃣ Return to Xining

⚠️ Practical Tips:
1. Big temperature difference between morning and night in the Northwest, bring sun-protective clothing + thick jackets!
2. Long drives between scenic spots, prepare snacks and power banks
3. Some places have poor signal, download offline maps in advance
4. It’s best to bring altitude sickness medicine and cold medicine, the highest altitude is 3800 meters

🍜 Food Recommendations:
Qinghai yogurt, hand-pulled lamb, donkey meat yellow noodles, apricot peel water, niangpi (cold skin noodles), sweet fermented dough... Northwest cuisine is truly authentic!

🏨 Accommodation Suggestions:
Stay at Chaka to watch the stars in the scenic area, stay in downtown Dunhuang for easy access to the night market, Zhangye’s Danxia Kou town is very distinctive~