Northwest Grand Loop 7 Days 6 Nights｜The Secret Spot Everyone’s Talking About on Social Media

Enjoy it all for just 2k per person!

Route: Lanzhou → Zhangye → Jiayuguan → Dunhuang → Dachaidan → Chaka Salt Lake → Qinghai Lake → Xining

💰 Cost: 2k+ (including transportation, accommodation, and tickets)

**⏰ Best Season: June to September (green grasslands, blue salt lakes, desert that won’t burn your feet)**

🚗 Day 1: Lanzhou — Zhangye (Rainbow Mountains)

Transportation: Take the high-speed train from Lanzhou to Zhangye (about 3 hours, 💰150)

What to do:
✅ Rainbow Mountains: Enter after 4 PM, the Danxia landform looks like a spilled palette under the sunset!
✅ Zhangye Night Market: Must-try Cuo Fish Noodles and Stir-fried Bula, only 30 per person to eat until full!

Accommodation: Guesthouse near the Danxia Scenic Area (💰100/night)

📸 Photo Tips: Wear white or black clothes for a stunning contrast with the colorful mountains!

🏜️ Day 2: Jiayuguan — Dunhuang (Desert Camping)

Transportation: Carpool from Zhangye to Jiayuguan (2 hours, 💰80), then high-speed train to Dunhuang in the afternoon (2 hours, 💰80)

What to do:
✅ Jiayuguan Great Wall: Experience the majestic desolation of the “Mighty Pass” (ticket 💰110)
✅ Dunhuang Mingsha Mountain: Enter after 7 PM to avoid the heat, ride camels (💰100), and stargaze!

Accommodation: Desert camping tent (💰150 including dinner + bonfire party)

💡 Tips: Bring wet wipes! Sand gets everywhere in the desert...

🌅 Day 3: Dunhuang Mogao Caves — Crescent Lake

What to do:
✅ Mogao Caves: Book A-class tickets one week in advance (💰238, includes 8 caves + movie)
✅ Crescent Lake: Visit at dawn or dusk for soft light and stunning reflections!

Food: Donkey meat yellow noodles, apricot peel water (Dunhuang night market, about 50 per person)

**⚠️ Note**: No photography inside the caves, use your eyes to record the millennium-old murals~

💎 Day 4: Dachaidan Emerald Lake

Transportation: Carpool from Dunhuang to Dachaidan (4 hours, 💰150)

What to do:
✅ Emerald Lake: Free entry! Drone shots reveal Tiffany blue water (wear a long dress!)
✅ 315 U-shaped Road: A must-visit for cool girls, watch out for traffic!

Accommodation: Dachaidan town (💰120/night)

🎒 Essentials: Sunglasses + sunscreen, the high-altitude UV is very strong!

🌊 Day 5: Chaka Salt Lake — Qinghai Lake

Transportation: Carpool from Dachaidan to Chaka (5 hours, 💰200)

What to do:
✅ Chaka Salt Lake: Choose the Sky No.1 Scenic Area, fewer people and better mirror effect (ticket 💰60)
✅ Qinghai Lake Erlangjian: Enter via herders’ trail to save on the ticket (💰10)!

Accommodation: Tibetan-style tent by Qinghai Lake (💰80/night)

📢 Warning: Don’t buy shoe covers at Chaka, rentals leak water...

🚆 Day 6-7: Xining Return Trip

Last day: Watch the sunrise at Qinghai Lake, then take the bus back to Xining in the afternoon (💰50)

Souvenirs: Yak jerky, black goji berries (buy at Mojia Street, remember to bargain!)

🌟 Travel Tips

1️⃣ Transportation: Carpool + high-speed train throughout, saving money and convenient!
2️⃣ Outfit: Bright-colored dresses + windbreaker (big temperature difference between day and night)
3️⃣ Altitude sickness: Qinghai Lake is 3200m above sea level, avoid strenuous exercise

**💬 Quick replies in the comments! Next issue: "Northwest Food Hits and Misses"~**

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