Lanzhou + Wuwei + Qilian + Huangyuan + Zhangye + Jiuquan + Jiayuguan + Delingha + Haixi 9-Day Northwest Grand Loop

Here comes the 9-day Northwest Grand Loop travel guide! A super detailed itinerary compiled with tears～✨

🚗Day 1: Kushuizhen Danxia Self-driving Camp, Yongdeng County
✨The first stop lets you experience the wonders of nature! The camp is about 1.5 hours' drive from Lanzhou, self-driving is recommended～

🚗Day 2:
📍Wanda Meihua Hotel, Hailu New District, Xining →
📍Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum (Ticket 60💰, opens at 9:00) →
📍Ta'er Monastery (Sacred site of Tibetan Buddhism) →
📍Cangyang Gyatso Cultural Square →
📍Fairy Bay at Qinghai Lake (Stunning sunset🌅) →
📍Haizi Poetry Museum (A must-visit for literary youth📖)

🚗Day 3:
Depart from Delingha →
📍Keluke Lake (Free!) →
📍Toson Lake (Alien site) →
📍Chaka Salt Lake (China’s largest salt lake🌊) →
📍Yadan Landform (Great for photos📸) →
📍Nanbaxian Devil City (Full of mystery🈵)

🚗Day 4:
📍Emerald Lake (Ticket 50💰) →
📍Mars No.1 Highway (Crossing the no-man’s land🚙) →
📍Heidu Mountain (Looks like the moon surface🌑) →
📍Aksai Film Base (Filming location of "Chronicles of the Ghostly Tribe"🎬)

🚗Day 5:
📍Mogao Caves (Book in advance🎫) →
📍Son of the Earth (Giant sculpture👶) →
📍Jiayuguan Fortress (The First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven🏯) →
Overnight at All Seasons Hotel (Jiayuguan City Government Branch)

🚗Day 6:
📍Barsi Snow Mountain (Hidden gem🏔️) →
📍Binggou Danxia (Less crowded than Rainbow Danxia!) →
📍Zhangye Alien Valley (Super magical landform👽)

🚗Day 7:
📍Shandan Military Horse Farm (Asia’s largest🐎) →
📍Biandukou (Sea of rapeseed flowers🌼) →
📍Ebao Ancient City (Full of historical vibes🏰)

🚗Day 8:
📍Zhuo'er Mountain (The Little Switzerland of the East🇨🇭) →
📍Qilian Mountain Grassland (Horse riding fun🏇) →
📍Qinghai Provincial Museum (Free admission📜)

🚗Day 9:
Yangtze International Hotel, Xining → Return home✈️

🌄Top Must-Visit Attractions:
1️⃣ Ta'er Monastery ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2️⃣ Qinghai Lake ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3️⃣ Mogao Caves ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
4️⃣ Chaka Salt Lake ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
5️⃣ Jiayuguan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

⚠️Travel Tips:
✔️Big temperature difference in August, bring sun protection + warm clothes
✔️Book Mogao Caves tickets in advance
✔️Wear waterproof shoe covers at the salt lake
✔️Self-driving is recommended in convoy
✔️Prepare medication for altitude sickness