Northwest Grand Loop | 8-Day Pure Travel Guide for Qinghai + Gansu

The Northwest can be desolate, but it can also be incredibly romantic! It's not just barren deserts here—there are mountains⛰, lakes, deserts🏜, and grasslands. Gather your friends and embark on this journey; it's truly worth it! - ✅ Best Travel Times for the Northwest: May-June: The weather warms up, flowers and grass begin to bloom, perfect for off-peak travel. July-August: The best season to escape the summer heat in the Northwest, with blooming rapeseed flower fields. September-October: Pleasant autumn weather, ideal for enjoying stunning fall landscapes. -- ❤ Preparation Before Departure: 🔸 Documents: ID card, student ID (half-price tickets are great!) 🔸 Electronics: Chargers, power banks, portable fans, cameras 🔸 Photo props: Earrings, accessories, sunglasses, drones, selfie sticks, etc. 🔸 Sun protection: Sunscreen, sun-protective clothing, hats, sunglasses, umbrellas ------------------------------- 2️⃣ 8-Day Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop Itinerary Featuring Kekexili D1: Xining—Qinghai Lake Erlangjian/Heimahe—Chaka Salt Lake—Stay in Chaka Town D2: Chaka—Qaidam Basin—Chaerhan Salt Lake—Stay in Golmud D3: Golmud—Kunlun Mountain Pass—Kekexili—Sonam Dargye Protection Station—Stay in Golmud D4: Golmud—Dongtai Jinel Lake—Water Yadan—Stay in Dachaidan D5: Dachaidan—Emerald Lake—Silk Road Heritage City—Desert Camping/Stay in Dunhuang D6: Mogao Caves—Mingsha Mountain Crescent Lake—Stay in Dunhuang D7: Depart from Dunhuang—Jiayuguan (en route)—Zhangye Rainbow Mountains—Stay in Zhangye D8: Zhangye—Biandukou—Qilian Grassland—Distant view of Gangshika Snow Mountain—Menyuan—End in Xining - 💎 Highlights 💎 Sun and Moon Mountain: Named after the legend of Princess Wencheng Qinghai Lake: The largest inland saltwater lake, stunningly beautiful with pure and sacred colors Chaka Salt Lake: A natural crystallized salt lake known as the "Mirror of the Sky." You can take a small train to the center of the lake and see salt sculptures. Wearing solid-colored dresses makes for great photos. Qilian Zhuo'er Mountain: Known as "Little Switzerland of the East," featuring hilly grassland landscapes Rainbow Mountains: A geological wonder with classic Danxia landforms. The sunrise and sunset views are spectacular, with the Red Glow Platform being the most beautiful spot. Note that drones are prohibited in the scenic area. Qilian Grassland: A vast grassland that blooms with rapeseed flowers during the flowering season, resembling scenes from a comic book. -- 🚩 Travel Tips: 👉 Xining's altitude is around 2,300 meters, so altitude sickness is unlikely. 👉 The salt lakes in the Northwest have strong reflections, so bring sunglasses and sun hats for protection. 👉 Golmud's altitude is around 3,000 meters, and Kunlun Mountain Pass is 4,800 meters. Avoid running or jumping to stay safe. 👉 For photos with rapeseed fields, wear white dresses and sun hats for a stunning look. 👉 To capture amazing shots, bring red, white, ethnic-style, or vintage-style clothing or scarves. 👉 Avoid buying wild mushrooms, caterpillar fungus, wolf teeth, and other items sold near highway service areas and scenic spots. -- ⚠ Notes: 1⃣ Due to the large temperature difference between day and night in the Northwest, prepare warm jackets to cope with the cold weather. 2⃣ Ensure proper sun protection and hydration, as the Northwest has strong UV rays and dry air. 3⃣ Respect local customs and traditions when visiting scenic spots; avoid making casual remarks or criticisms. 4⃣ Rest assured about toilet facilities; mature scenic spots in the Northwest have clean and well-maintained restrooms. --