Horseback Riding Chasing Clouds and Staying in a Mongolian Yurt, a Viral Healing Journey!

> "When horse hooves crush the dewdrops on grass tips, when prayer flags tear through the clouds at the 4120-meter pass—I finally understand that the Qilian Mountains are a love poem of freedom written for urban souls!"

---

🚗 Highlighted Itinerary (Worry-free version departing from Xining)
Day 1: Cross the Grassland Sky Road · Encounter the Sea of Flowers in the Clouds
Depart from Xining by self-driving in the morning, entering the most beautiful National Highway 227! Heiquan Reservoir is as blue as emerald, and from Dabanshan Viewing Platform, you can overlook the rapeseed flower sea in Menyuan (golden storm in July) 📸. Wear a white dress to shoot road photos (💡sit in the passenger seat to capture S-curves + snow mountain background).
At noon, eat kangguo lamb in Ebao Town (about 40 RMB per person), the broth soaks into the potato noodles, delighting your taste buds!
Afternoon: Head straight to the heart of the Qilian Mountain grasslands! Ride horses crossing streams (choose a reputable stable, 50 RMB/30 minutes), lie down in wildflowers to shoot a "Miyazaki-style" nine-grid photo, stay overnight in a Mongolian yurt (off-season about 120 RMB per person), drink freshly boiled yak milk by the bonfire while listening to Tibetan songs ⛺️.

Day 2: Zall Mountain Wonderland · Three-day Unlimited Entry Ticket
Early morning: Climb Zall Mountain (80 RMB ticket including shuttle)! Take the first sightseeing bus to secure a spot on the viewing platform, capturing red rock canyons + rapeseed fields + snow mountains in one frame. Wear a red cape to shoot "Oriental Switzerland" photos (⚠️The park offers a 3-day unlimited entry ticket, bookable on Trip.com for repeated access!).
At noon, enjoy hand-pulled lamb in Qilian County, visit Arou Monastery and spin prayer wheels (free), and photograph the world's smallest prayer wheel corridor.
Evening: Drive to Binggou Forest Sea, explore fir forests and streams, touch glacier water, and wait for the sunset reflecting golden mountains in the creek.

Day 3: 4120-meter Pass Strike · Finale at Qinghai Lake
7:00 AM: Challenge the Dadongshu Mountain Pass (4120 meters)! Hang prayer flags and scatter lungta, wear down jackets + sunglasses to resist strong winds, and shoot the sea of clouds and winding mountain roads.
At noon: Eat yak meat soup with bread in Gangcha County, follow the west road around Qinghai Lake chasing the deep blue water, stop at cliff secret spots to feed Huang fish.
Bonus: During peak season, a grassland mini train (30 RMB) runs, entering the same hillside as in "Heidi and Grandpa"!

---

💡 Viral Secrets & Hardcore Tips
- 📸 Photo Hotspots
→ Zall Mountain Beacon Tower: Wide-angle shots of Danxia landforms/grasslands/snow mountains in triple composition, best lighting in the morning for saturated colors
→ 4120 Pass: Use telephoto lens to compress prayer flags and winding roads, shutter speed 1/1000 sec to capture wind movement
→ Mongolian Yurt Morning Mist: Shoot at 6:30 AM with cooking smoke wrapped in golden light, set ISO to 400 to avoid noise
- 🚗 Transportation Hacks
→ Rent an off-road vehicle in Xining (about 500 RMB/day split among 4 people), experienced driver and guide avoid rough gravel roads
→ Be cautious renting sedans! The Dadongshu Pass climb can cause altitude sickness, choose turbocharged models
- 🏡 Accommodation Secrets
→ Grassland Mongolian Yurt: Immersive nomadic experience (search "Qilian Grassland Pastoral Homestay" on Trip.com)
→ For luxury lovers: "Qilian Secret Realm" guesthouse at the foot of Zall Mountain, floor-to-ceiling windows facing snow mountains (book 1 month in advance!)
- ⚠️ Critical Details
→ 20°C temperature difference! Thin down jacket + sun hat + arm sleeves three-piece set to stay safe
→ No signal at the pass, download offline maps in advance
→ Avoid roadside "cheap horse riding"! Choose Trip.com-operated stables with insurance