The Mysterious Loulan Exploration Route

Of course! As an experienced travel blogger, I’m happy to customize a two-day, one-night in-depth travel guide for the ancient city of Loulan. However, it’s important to note: Loulan Ancient City is located in the Lop Nur area of Xinjiang, China, and is a national-level cultural relic protection zone and military control area, currently not open for free visits by ordinary tourists. Due to its sensitive location, fragile ecological environment, and safety hazards such as unexploded ordnance, unauthorized personal visits are illegal.

But don’t be disappointed! We can design an alternative boutique route centered on exploring Loulan cultural relics and experiencing desert charm, themed around “Loulan Culture” and “Mysterious Western Region Adventure,” allowing you to feel the millennia-old mystery of Loulan legally and compliantly. Below is a two-day, one-night immersive cultural journey centered on Ruoqiang County, radiating to the Milan Ruins, Lop Nur Village, and the edge of the Taklamakan Desert, with a budget controlled within 2000 RMB.

🌄 【Loulan Cultural Exploration Tour】—— 2 Days 1 Night · Budget 2000 RMB Version

📍 Suggested Departure: Urumqi (can take a plane or train to Ruoqiang)

🎯 Theme: Tracing the Footsteps of Loulan Civilization | Desert Oasis Culture | Silk Road Dream

💰 Total Budget: About 1800–2000 RMB/person (excluding round-trip major transport between Urumqi and Ruoqiang)

📅 Day 1: Depart from Ruoqiang · Visit Milan Ruins & Lop Nur Village

Morning: Arrive at Ruoqiang County Town
Ruoqiang is the gateway to the ancient Loulan area, known as “China’s loneliest small town,” and an important node on the Silk Road.
It’s recommended to arrive in Ruoqiang a day early for accommodation (this guide calculates from local departure).
Recommended accommodation: Ruoqiang Jinhai Hotel or Hanting Chain Hotel (standard room about 260 RMB/night, including breakfast)

Noon: Taste Western Region-style lunch
Recommended restaurants: Ruoqiang Night Market / Old Town Big Plate Chicken
Must-try dishes: Ruoqiang red date braised lamb, hand-grabbed rice, baked buns, Lop Nur hemp tea
Meal budget: 40 RMB/person

Afternoon: Visit the [Milan Ruins] (about 1.5 hours one-way by car)
Milan is a Tang Dynasty Tibetan garrison site, where the famous “Winged Angel” mural was unearthed, closely related to Loulan civilization.
Though not the Loulan Ancient City itself, it is a key site for studying Loulan’s later history.
Drive yourself or charter a car (carpool recommended, about 100 RMB/person round trip)
Entrance + shuttle: 35 RMB/person
Highlights:
Walk into the Buddhist pagoda ruins and feel the religious fusion of the Silk Road
Photograph the millennia-old beacon towers in the desert
Listen to guides tell archaeological stories of Stein and Sven Hedin

Evening: Head to [Lop Nur Village] (about 2 hours from Ruoqiang)
The Lop Nur people are an ancient ethnic group living for generations downstream of the Tarim River, said to be descendants of Loulan.
The scenic area combines desert, lakes, poplar forests, and primitive fishing and hunting culture.
Entrance + shuttle + boating: about 95 RMB/person
Experiences:
Ride a dugout canoe through the Tarim River tributaries
Climb sand dunes to watch the sunset melt gold
Visit the grass house museum to learn about Lop Nur people’s lifestyle

Night: Return to Ruoqiang for accommodation
Dinner can be had at a farmhouse restaurant outside the scenic area (recommended grilled fish + wild vegetable pancakes), about 50 RMB/person
Stay overnight in Ruoqiang to rest and prepare for the next day

📌 Day 1 Estimated Expenses:
Accommodation: 260 RMB
Meals: 90 RMB
Transport (charter/carpool): 100 RMB
Tickets and activities: 130 RMB
✅ Subtotal: about 580 RMB

📅 Day 2: Desert Edge Hiking · In-depth Visit to Loulan Museum

Morning: Visit [Ruoqiang Loulan Museum] (free admission)
One of Xinjiang’s most distinctive county-level museums, housing many replicas of Loulan unearthed artifacts and research results.
Treasures: Replica of the Loulan Beauty mummy, Kharosthi wooden slips, Han-Jin brocade fragments
It’s recommended to hire a guide (about 80 RMB/group, can share) for a deep understanding of Loulan’s rise and fall
Visit time: 1.5 hours

Noon: Stroll Ruoqiang Old Street + Lunch
Recommended snacks: Nang pit meat, yogurt zongzi, Ruoqiang gray dates (can be bought as souvenirs)
Lunch budget: 40 RMB/person

Afternoon: Light hiking at the edge of the Taklamakan Desert or poplar forest photography
Location: Near Taitema Lake on the outskirts of Ruoqiang or the poplar forest belt beside National Highway G218
Local off-road vehicle rental available (carpool about 60 RMB/person)
Hike 1–2 hours to experience the miracle of life at the edge of the “Sea of Death”
Photography tips: Bring a wide-angle lens to capture the ultimate composition of poplars, sand dunes, and blue sky

Evening: Return to Ruoqiang, end of the trip

📌 Day 2 Estimated Expenses:
Meals: 80 RMB
Transport: 60 RMB
Guide/experience: 80 RMB
✅ Subtotal: about 220 RMB

✅ Total Budget Summary (per person):
Item Cost
------ ------
Accommodation (1 night) 260 RMB
Meals (2 days) 170 RMB
Local transport (carpool/charter) 160 RMB
Tickets and activities 225 RMB
Guide/others 80 RMB
Total About 1895 RMB

💡 About 100 RMB left for souvenirs or emergency expenses.

🎒 Pre-trip Tips (Blogger’s Private Suggestions):
ID required: Carry your ID card at all times; there are many checkpoints along the way.
Climate reminder: Large temperature difference between day and night; sun protection during the day, keep warm at night (even in summer, a jacket is needed).
Respect culture: Ask permission before photographing locals, especially elderly Lop Nur people.
Eco-friendly travel: No garbage disposal in desert areas; please bring your own trash bags.
Network signal: No 4G outside the county town; download offline maps in advance.
Safety first: Do not attempt illegal entry into Lop Nur or Loulan core areas!

🌟 Blogger’s Closing Words:
Although we cannot truly step into the Loulan Ancient City buried by wind and sand, in every grain of sand and drop of water in Ruoqiang, you can still hear the echo of camel bells from a thousand years ago. This land carries too many unsolved mysteries—perhaps the real Loulan is not on the map, but in the moment you gaze at the poplar shadows under the sunset.

“Through a hundred battles in yellow sand wearing golden armor, we will not return until Loulan is conquered.” — This time, we return with reverence.

📸 Don’t forget to take a photo series themed “I’m in Ruoqiang, gazing at Loulan,” guaranteed to be the highlight of your social circle!

If you need me to create a PDF version of the guide or recommend photography spots, just let me know! 📷✨