From Qinghai Lake to Zhangye Danxia, a colorful feast in Northwest China.

Northwest China (covering Gansu, Qinghai, Xinjiang, Ningxia, and parts of Shaanxi) attracts numerous tourists with its magnificent natural scenery, rich historical culture, and diverse ethnic customs. Below is the latest 2025 Northwest China travel guide, covering the best travel times, classic routes, must-visit attractions, food recommendations, and important tips. --- 📢 **1. Best Travel Time** Northwest China is vast with significant climate differences, making different seasons suitable for visiting different areas: - **Spring (April-May):** Mild climate in Gansu and Ningxia, fewer tourists, ideal for visiting Dunhuang Mogao Caves and Zhangye Danxia. - **Summer (June-August):** Best time to visit Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, and Ili River Valley, with cool weather perfect for escaping the heat. - **Autumn (September-October):** Xinjiang Kanas and Zhangye Danxia in Gansu display vibrant colors, excellent for photography. - **Winter (November-March):** Experience skiing in Altay or explore the cultural charm of southern Xinjiang. --- 📢 **2. Classic 7-Day Qinghai-Gansu Loop Recommendation** This route connects the highlights of Qinghai and Gansu, perfect for first-time visitors to Northwest China: **Day 1: Xining → Ta'er Monastery → Qinghai Lake → Chaka Town** - Visit the Tibetan Buddhist holy site Ta'er Monastery, enjoy the vast scenery of Qinghai Lake, and arrive in Chaka Town by evening. **Day 2: Chaka Salt Lake → Emerald Lake → Dacaidan** - Photograph the "Mirror of the Sky" at Chaka Salt Lake, then head to Emerald Lake in Dacaidan, with its jade-green waters. **Day 3: Dacaidan → 315 U-shaped Highway → Water Yadan → Dunhuang** - Cross the Gobi Desert, check in at the popular 315 U-shaped Highway, explore the Water Yadan landforms, and arrive in Dunhuang by evening. **Day 4: Dunhuang Mogao Caves → Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Lake** - Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Mogao Caves (advance booking required), then ride camels up the Singing Sand Dunes to overlook Crescent Lake at sunset. **Day 5: Dunhuang → Jiayuguan → Zhangye Danxia** - Tour Jiayuguan, known as the "First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven," and enjoy the sunset over the colorful Zhangye Danxia. **Day 6: Zhangye → Qilian Grassland → Menyuan Rapeseed Flower Sea (best in July) → Xining** - Cross the Qilian Grassland and, in summer, admire the vast rapeseed flower fields in Menyuan. **Day 7: Return from Xining** - Free time for shopping local specialties such as black goji berries and yak jerky. --- 📢 **3. Must-Visit Attractions** 1. **Qinghai Lake** (China’s largest inland saltwater lake, rapeseed flowers bloom in summer) 2. **Chaka Salt Lake** ("Mirror of the Sky," perfect for reflection photography) 3. **Emerald Lake** (jade-green salt lake, excellent for drone shots) 4. **Dunhuang Mogao Caves** (UNESCO World Heritage, book 30 days in advance) 5. **Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Lake** (a desert and spring wonder) 6. **Zhangye Danxia** (colorful Danxia landforms) 7. **Jiayuguan** (western end of the Ming Great Wall, rich in history) --- 📢 **4. Northwest Cuisine Recommendations** - **Qinghai:** Hand-pulled mutton, yak yogurt, sweet fermented barley drink, niangpi (cold skin noodles) - **Gansu:** Lanzhou beef noodles, cuo fish noodles, fried firecrackers - **Dunhuang:** Donkey meat yellow noodles, apricot peel water, stewed mutton pancakes - **Xinjiang:** Grilled lamb skewers, big plate chicken, hand-pulled rice - **Ningxia:** Hand-pulled mutton, mixed snacks, Wuzhong morning tea --- 📢 **5. Important Tips** 1. **Sun and Cold Protection:** Strong UV rays in the Northwest require sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats; large temperature differences between day and night call for windproof jackets. 2. **Altitude Sickness:** Qinghai Lake and Qilian Mountains are at high altitudes; avoid strenuous exercise and consider taking Rhodiola in advance. 3. **Respect Customs:** The Northwest is home to many ethnic groups; dress appropriately when entering mosques and ask permission before photographing Tibetan people. 4. **Transportation Advice:** Attractions are scattered; car rental or group tours are recommended, and self-driving requires careful route planning. 5. **Cash Preparation:** Some attractions (like camel riding) require cash payments. --- 📢 **6. Summary** The best way to travel in Northwest China is to **travel slowly and savor the experience**, with a recommended 10-15 day in-depth trip. Whether it’s natural scenery, historical culture, or ethnic customs, the Northwest will leave you with unforgettable travel memories. In 2025, with further improvements in transportation infrastructure (such as the opening of the Lanzhou-Xinjiang high-speed rail second line), traveling in the Northwest will become even more convenient.