Hami Dadao Road Self-Driving Complete Guide｜The Ultimate Guide to Crossing the "Mars Secret Realm"

🗺️ **1. Route Planning: East Entry, North Exit, Classic Crossing**
1. **Entrance Options**:
- **East Gate** (towards Wubao Town, Hami): Navigate to "Dadao Road Scenic Area East Gate," 80% paved road, suitable for initial adaptation.
- **North Gate** (towards Liaodun): Next to G30 Expressway, exit has a height limit barrier (2.2 meters), RVs need to detour on gravel roads.
- **Classic Route**: East Gate → Hongliutan (80km paved road) → Pterodactyl Grand Canyon (20km corrugated road) → Tongtian Cave (must check-in) → Water Source → North Gate, total about **170 kilometers, 6-8 hours**.

2. **Alternative Off-Road Route** (4WD vehicles only):
- Enter via Sandunzi Interchange or Sandaoling Coal Mine, explore the "Eye of Lop Nur," "Secret Great Wall," and other uninhabited area secrets, satellite equipment required.

---

🚗 **2. Vehicles and Equipment: The Core of Safe Crossing!**
1. **Vehicle Requirements**:
- **Must be an off-road vehicle/SUV**! The road from Hongliutan to North Gate is gravel; sedans are prone to tire punctures and getting stuck.
- Reference case: Some travelers successfully drove an MPV (Lantu Dreamer) through, but extreme caution is needed.

2. **Essential Equipment**:
- **Emergency tools**: Spare tire, jack, tow rope, air pump, sand mats.
- **Survival supplies**: 5L water per person + high-energy food (no supplies in the scenic area), sun hat/sunglasses/arm sleeves (surface temperature over 50℃ in summer🔥).
- **Electronics**: Offline maps (Ovi Interactive Map), satellite phone (signal coverage <30%).

---

🌄 **3. Attractions and Time Arrangement: Efficient Check-ins Without Getting Lost**
- **Core Attractions**:
- **Tongtian Cave**: Natural wind-eroded rock cave, perfect for shooting interstellar photos📸 (located towards North Gate).
- **Pterodactyl Grand Canyon**: 20km corrugated road, Yadan landforms like a giant dragon’s spine, do not stop while driving.
- **Water Source**: Gobi miracle, chance to encounter wild camel herds.
- **Time Recommendations**:
- **Best Season**: Spring and autumn (April-May / September-October), avoid summer heat and sandstorms.
- **One-day Crossing**: Enter before 8 AM, reach North Gate before 6 PM (temperature difference is huge after sunset).

---

⚠️ **4. Safety and Costs: Key Details!**
1. **Safety Rules**:
- ❌ **No solo vehicle crossing!** At least 10 vehicles get stuck daily, travel in groups for mutual aid.
- ❌ **Do not leave the main road**: Yadan landforms look similar and easy to get lost, follow tire tracks.
- 🌪️ **Weather Warning**: Instant winds can reach level 12 (e.g., yellow warning on 2025-07-11), check "Hami Meteorological Station" before departure.

2. **Costs and Tickets**:
- Ticket: 45 RMB/person + 100 RMB/vehicle, valid for 72 hours.
- Fuel: SUV round trip consumes about half a tank (fill up in Hami city!).

---

🏨 **5. Accommodation and Food: Rest and Resupply Points**
- **Accommodation**:
- **Hongliutan Visitor Center**: The only hotel, 588 RMB/standard room (book in advance!).
- **Hami City**: All Seasons Hotel (smart temperature control), Lanting Hotel (near night market, cost-effective).
- **Food** (must-try on return):
- Hami Night Market: Juicy grilled buns, spicy lamb trotters.
- Specialty: Wubao Town Hami Melon (2.5 RMB/jin! Extremely sweet).

---

💎 **Ultimate Tips**
- **Rescue Phone**: Sign the "Safety Notice" upon entry and keep the rescue phone number.
- **Environmental Responsibility**: Take all trash with you! No cleaners in the uninhabited area.
- **Mental Preparation**: The road is bumpy and dusty, but the stunning starry sky and Yadan landforms make all hardships worthwhile!✨

> 🌌 **2025 Update Notice**: North Gate added a 2.2-meter height limit barrier; RVs only allowed to enter and exit via East Gate; Mars Base capsule beds increased to 400 RMB/person.

Let's go! This "alien wilderness" is waiting for you to claim the romance of billions of years of wind erosion～ 🚀