Family Travel Guide｜Qilian Mountain Grassland: Taking Kids into a Fairy Tale World beneath the Snowy Mountains

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The final stop of the Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop brought us to the Qilian Mountain Grassland.

What we thought would be just a brief passing view

turned out to be the most surprising stop for the little ones on the entire trip.

At the foot of the towering snowy mountains lies an endless expanse of lush green grassland.

Herds of yaks with calves stroll leisurely.

Clear streams meander through the grassland.

The kids excitedly pointed to the distance and shouted, “Mom, is this a scene from a cartoon?”

This is not the imagined Great Northwest; it’s clearly stepping into a fairy tale world.

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🍃 Practical Tips for Family Travel

📍 Navigation: Qilian Mountain Grassland (near Ebao Town)

📅 Visiting Hours: Open all day, morning visits recommended for soft lighting

🚘 Transportation: About 2.5 hours’ drive from Xining or Zhangye, with stunning scenery along the way

👶 Family Tips: The grassland is windy, remember to prepare windproof jackets and sun hats for the kids

🥣 Food & Accommodation: Ebao Town has several family inns; Tibetan yogurt and yak beef noodles are great for children

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📷 Family Photo Treasure Spots

1⃣️ Biandukou Secret Spot

Prayer flags flutter by the river, and foals drink at the water’s edge.

Kids can safely interact with small animals, capturing lively and natural photos.

2⃣️ Ebao Town Ancient Path

Every road in town leads to the snowy mountains, with a pure and picturesque backdrop.

Stroll with your children beside ancient ruins to feel the blend of history and nature.

3⃣️ Zhuo’er Mountain Viewing Platform

The summer here resembles the fairy-tale Swiss slopes.

Wooden boardwalks are stroller-friendly, making it safe for kids to jump and play.

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🚌 7 Days 6 Nights Family Leisure Travel Itinerary

Day 1: Xining → Riyue Mountain (light hiking) → Qinghai Lake (feeding Huang fish) → Stay in Chaka Town

Day 2: Keke Salt Lake (fewer crowds, beautiful scenery) → Chaerhan Salt Lake (thousand-island salt flowers) → Dachaidan

Day 3: National Highway 315 (road trip scenery) → Water Yadan (geology class) → Emerald Lake sunset

Day 4: Heishan Gobi (stone collecting) → Silk Road Heritage City (Hanfu experience) → Dunhuang Shazhou Night Market

Day 5: Mogao Caves (family-friendly guided tour) → Mingsha Mountain (sand sliding and camel riding) → Desert camping and stargazing

Day 6: Son of the Earth (sculpture study) → Rainbow Danxia (hot air balloon experience) → Zhangye

Day 7: Qilian Grand Canyon (stream adventure) → Qilian Grassland (horseback riding experience) → Return to Xining