Northwest Travel Guide for June to August

💙 The Northwest is officially open! July and August are the peak season for stunning scenery, so don't miss out if you're planning a summer trip💕 👇🏻 Before heading to the Northwest, make sure to check out these tips to avoid common pitfalls. . 🙌🏻 Pitfall Avoidance Tips (Detailed guide in images 1-4) ▫️ At salt lakes like Chaka Salt Lake and Emerald Lake, avoid stepping into the water barefoot as it is corrosive. Rent special shoe covers provided by the scenic area. ▫️ For Mogao Caves, make sure to book tickets with real-name registration at least one day in advance. Do not attempt to buy tickets directly at the site. ▫️ Be cautious of the many small black sinkholes in Chaka Salt Lake and avoid them when entering the lake. ▫️ The best times for photography at Chaka Salt Lake are 9 AM and 5 PM📷—don't miss these hours. ▫️ Dongtai Jinel Lake is closed and inaccessible. Do not trust anyone claiming they can take you there. ▫️ When taking photos on the G315 U-shaped road, avoid standing in the middle of the road and watch out for passing vehicles🚗 Safety first. ▫️ The Northwest has significant temperature differences between day and night. Bring long-sleeved clothing, thick jackets, and other warm clothes to prevent catching a cold. ▫️ The high-altitude climate is dry with strong UV rays. Essential items include sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hats, moisturizing lotion, and lip balm. . 🔆 Must-Visit Attractions Along the Way Qinghai Lake: The largest lake in China, perfect for cycling around, racing with sheep and cattle, and encountering golden rapeseed flower fields. Chaka Salt Lake: Named one of the "55 places to visit in a lifetime" by National Geographic Traveler. Dachaidan Emerald Lake: Crystal-clear water resembling emeralds, naturally formed like gems scattered on earth. South Eight Immortals Yardang: Wind-eroded ridges where the "Eight Immortals" rest, with the distant Qilian Mountains as a backdrop. Oil Town: A filming location for the movie "Chronicles of the Ghostly Tribe," featuring realistic monsters, fallen jeeps, and buses. Yardang Ghost City: Located at the wind corridor of Lop Nur, this area is sparsely populated and features unique geological formations. Mogao Caves: Known as the "Art Gallery in the Desert," showcasing architecture, sculptures, and murals. Jiayuguan Great Wall: The western starting point of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall and a key transportation hub on the ancient Silk Road. Qilian Mountain Grassland: Endless snow-capped mountains and meadows, hailed as one of China's most beautiful grasslands🌿 . 🛺🛺 Qinghai Lake-Dunhuang-Zhangye-Water-Yardang-Chaka-Salt-Lake-Qilian Ten-Day Loop: Day 1: Xining ---- Sun and Moon Mountain ---- Qinghai Lake (Heimahe) ---- Chaka Salt Lake (overnight) Day 2: Chaka ---- Chaka Salt Lake ---- Golmud (overnight) Day 3: Golmud ---- U-shaped Road ---- Dongtai Jinel Lake ---- Water Yardang ---- Dachaidan Emerald Lake (overnight) Day 4: Dachaidan ---- Black Mountain ---- Oil Town ---- Silk Road Heritage City ---- Dunhuang City (overnight) Day 5: Dunhuang ---- Mogao Caves (best to book tickets for around 9 AM) ---- Mingsha Mountain Crescent Lake ---- Shazhou Night Market ---- Dunhuang City (overnight) Day 6: Dunhuang ---- Yumen Pass ---- Yardang Geological Park ---- Dunhuang (overnight) Day 7: Dunhuang City ---- Earth’s Son ---- Yulin Caves ---- Jiayuguan (overnight) Day 8: Jiayuguan ---- Gaotai West Route Army Memorial Hall ---- Zhangye Danxia Landform ---- Zhangye (overnight) Day 9: Zhangye ---- Qilian Mountain National Park ---- Heihe Grand Canyon ---- Qilian Zhuoer Mountain ---- Qilian (overnight) Day 10: Qilian ---- Gangshika Snow Peak ---- Menyuan ---- Xining (end) . ⭐ Northwest Travel Essentials Checklist 🔸 Sun protection: sunscreen, sun hats, sunglasses, etc. 🔸 Toiletries: skincare products, shampoo, makeup remover 🔸 Electronics: chargers, power banks, drones 🔸 Other items: thermos, wet wipes, umbrella ✔️ The Northwest has complex road conditions and long distances between attractions. For first-time visitors, it’s recommended to opt for a guided car-sharing or private tour with experienced drivers to save time and money. ✨