This summer vacation, I'm only taking my kids to one place: Qinghai x Gansu

Having been to so many places, honestly, the Qinghai x Gansu Grand Loop family trip is the most amazing! While temperatures in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai soar to ~40°C, we enjoyed a summer of just over 20°C with the kids—plus lakes, deserts, grasslands, and so many stunning views in one go! The kids didn’t want to leave. Sharing my itinerary here—parents can just copy it directly🌹

✅Day 1: Arrive in Lanzhou
Took the kids to Dazhong Lane—super close with tons of food options. The little ones especially loved Lao Mou’s yogurt and egg milk rice wine.

✅Day 2: Lanzhou → Wuwei → Mars 1 Base
In the morning, we visited the Tiantishan Grottoes with 18 caves! The 28-meter-tall Tang Dynasty Buddha statue in Cave 13 was awe-inspiring from below, and you could even see the intricate patterns on the Buddha’s robe up close!
In the afternoon, we headed to Mars 1 Base—China’s version of "Lonely Planet." The kids got to learn about super plant experiments and even planted their own, feeling super accomplished~
At dusk, we suited the kids up in astronaut gear, turning them into tiny "Martian explorers," and snapped tons of photos for a major social media flex.
⭐Tip: Bring mosquito repellent! The "alien creatures" of the Gobi are way too friendly.)

✅Day 3: Jinchang → Rainbow Danxia → Desert Camp
Rainbow Danxia’s multicolored terrain is truly nature’s "palette"—illegally beautiful.
⭐Tip: Wear solid colors for photos—the backdrop is already too vibrant!)
In the afternoon, we hit the desert camp. The kids rode camels with the guide while I enjoyed some solo time with a desert spa.
At night, the family tour group set up a wild desert dinner—my first time eating in the dunes!

✅Day 4: Desert Camp → Qilian
Morning: Biandukou Flower Sea—a vast field of rapeseed flowers stretching as far as the eye could see.
Afternoon: Hiked through Binggou Forest with a guide, breathing fresh air in this natural oxygen bar. The kids loved spotting sika deer, staying excited like little explorers the whole time.

✅Day 5: Qilian → Qinghai Lake → Chaka Salt Lake
Blue skies, white clouds, and green grasslands dotted with herds of sheep and cows—pure therapy. Saw the dramatic Qinghai Lake cliffs, and the kids cuddled ultra-soft lambs (so huggable!). Finally, the legendary "Mirror of the Sky"—Chaka Salt Lake—where you can literally see salt crystals! The kids even wanted to taste-test if it was real salt.

✅Day 6: Chaka Salt Lake → Xining
Got a one-day Tibetan experience card: dressed in traditional clothes with the kids, made butter tea and tsampa, joined games like handkerchief toss, kite flying, and jump rope...
In the afternoon, we strolled along Qinghai Lake on horseback—wind in our faces, the lake’s blue waters against the grasslands were breathtaking.

For parents, I highly recommend booking a family tour like I did—private transport makes everything easy, letting you relax and enjoy the trip hassle-free.