Who hasn’t been moved to tears by the autumn beauty of the Qilian Mountains!

Qilian Mountains, that splash of golden meadows against the deep blue sky is like God’s spilled palette! 🎨 The colors in the valley are so vivid they seem unreal, sunlight cascading over the ridges like a waterfall, every frame looks like a movie scene 🌄 When I first stood here, I was so stunned by the beauty I literally stopped breathing, pinched myself hard to make sure I wasn’t dreaming! 😍

💥Highly recommended! Here’s a secret, detailed autumn guide to Qilian Mountains, save it fast for your trip👇

🚩Most healing route:
☀️Depart from Xining at 7:30 AM
🚗About 3 hours drive → Menyuan Rapeseed Flower Viewing Platform (Address: Menyuan County, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture)
🍁Continue driving 1 hour → Qilian County (Recommended to have lunch here, Tibetan cuisine is amazing!)
🏔️Head straight to Zhuo’er Mountain Scenic Area in the afternoon (Entrance fee 60 RMB/person)
🌅Arrive at Amindongso Viewing Platform around 4:00 PM (Free!)
🌄Wait for the stunning sunset on the mountaintop in the evening
🏡Stay overnight at a guesthouse in Qilian County (200-400 RMB/night)

📸Must-shoot epic spots:
✅Zhuo’er Mountain summit - overlooking the magnificent panorama of the entire Qilian Mountain range
✅Amindongso Viewing Platform - golden grasslands at sunset so beautiful it leaves you speechless
✅By the Babao River - dreamy water reflecting the colorful forest

⚠️Hard-earned tips:
1️⃣ The UV rays on the plateau are super strong! Sunscreen + sunglasses + hat are a must ☀️
2️⃣ The temperature difference is crazy! A down jacket is a lifesaver, trust me! ❄️
3️⃣ Photographers must bring a wide-angle lens, ordinary phones just can’t capture this grandeur 📷
4️⃣ There’s hardly any food in the scenic area, bring your own snacks and water 🍪
5️⃣ Those prone to altitude sickness should arrive in Xining 3 days early to acclimate
6️⃣ Don’t miss the local Tibetan butter tea and hand-pulled lamb! So delicious it’s intoxicating 🤤
7️⃣ If driving, watch out for cattle and sheep on the road—they’re the real owners of the highway 🐑
8️⃣ Be very careful when taking photos, some viewing platforms have steep edges
9️⃣ On clear nights, you can see the Milky Way! Astronomy lovers will be thrilled 🌌
🔟 Best shooting times: 9-11 AM / 4-6 PM, the light is the gentlest then

✨Bonus moment:
Tibetan herders are super friendly, and if you’re lucky, you might be invited to their tent for butter tea~
Mid-October has the richest autumn colors, golden grasslands with snowy mountain backdrops, every shot is wallpaper-worthy!

Check out the last photo! Taken last October, the real scene is breathtaking beyond words 😭 Tell me in the comments which spot moves you the most? If you’re planning to go, feel free to DM me anytime, I’m here to answer your questions~