Self-driving丨Chengdu-Qinghai Lake Great Ring Road Nine-Day Guide in July丨Chaka Salt Lake丨Emerald Lake丨Route 66丨Hexi Corridor丨Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes|Menyuan Rapeseed Flowers丨

July, the beginning of summer

It’s a beautiful season for travel

Golden rapeseed flowers beside Qinghai Lake

With blue lake water under the sun

Printed into a dreamlike picture

Don’t waste the good times

Recommend one to everyone

Qinghai Lake Classic Grand Loop Line

Covering the highlights of Qinghai and Gansu

It is also the current mainstream route

The flowering period of Menyuan rapeseed flowers

Usually in mid-July

So tour clockwise

Can be used on return trip

Just in time for the blooming season

Nine-day itinerary from Chengdu

The total mileage is about 4300 kilometers

There are four of us in a car

There are men and women, old and young

There is only one female driver

Life, food, accommodation, safety, etc.

There is no problem

The entire journey is asphalt.

You can also go there by car

The toll is about 900 yuan
The fuel cost is 2,300 yuan

Per capita consumption is 3,000 yuan

Route: Longnan, Lanzhou, Xining, Kumbum Monastery, Laji Mountain, Riyue Mountain, Daotang River, Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, Dachaidan Emerald Lake, Keluke Lake, Alien Site, Southern Eight Immortals, Dangjin Mountain , Aksai Oil Town, Yangguan, Yumen Pass, Yadan Devil City, Dunhuang, Mogao Grottoes, Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring, Jiayuguan, Zhangye Colorful Danxia, ​​Biandukou, Qilian Mountains, Zhuoer Mountain, Gangshi Kaxue Peak, Menyuan, Daban Mountain, Heiquan Reservoir, Labrang Temple, Langmusi, and Ruoergai Grassland.

Note: The times mentioned below all refer to driving time, excluding entertainment breaks, etc.

Day1 Chengdu→Longnan→Lanzhou

The journey is 880KM and the journey takes 13 hours.

OK: Lanzhou does not enter the urban area, but goes directly to Anning District

It is more convenient to go to Xining from here the next day

Food: Dinner at Ma Laoliu Halal Restaurant in Anning District

Must-order lamb neck, hand-caught, and braised lamb

Accommodation: Overnight at Fenglin Xiaozhu Hotel

There is a parking space, but you need to book a room in advance

Or Kunyi Boutique Hotel

Day2 Lanzhou → Xining → Kumbum Monastery → Laji Mountain → Riyue Mountain → Daotang River → Qinghai Lake

Itinerary is 378KM, driving time is 6 hours

Line: Go to Xininghui via Kumbum Monastery

One of the six major monasteries of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism

After leaving Kumbum Monastery, take S101 to Laji Mountain

Navigate Laji Mountain Pass (tour time is about 30 minutes)

It has better scenery than Riyue Mountain and is free, with slight high reflection.

Arrive at Qinghai Lake via Riyue Mountain and Daotang River

The main scenic spot of Qinghai Lake is Erlangjian+

If you don’t want to enter the scenic spot, you can go to the rapeseed field on the roadside.

Find a small road built by farmers themselves, and you can enter it by paying 50 yuan per car.

(Tour time is about 1.5 hours)

Food: There are many restaurants next to Qinghai Lake Scenic Area

Restaurants in Heimahe Township are expensive and poor

Accommodation: Overnight in Heimahe Township, wear a thin down jacket at night in summer

Accommodation is expensive and poor. Book a room at least 3-7 days in advance.

Day3Heimahe Township→Chaka Salt Lake→Delingha→Daqaidan Town

The journey is 480KM and the journey takes 6 hours.

Line: BlackGet up early to watch the sunrise in Mahe Township

The best sunrise viewing spots in Qinghai Lake

Chaka Salt Lake has limited traffic and requires booking tickets in advance

Very sunny, bring sunglasses, umbrella and sunscreen

Walk along the edge of Qaidam Basin to Delingha

Food: Lunch Delingha Laoyan Roast Lamb (Head Office)

Accommodation: Overnight in Dachaidan Town, the earlier you book, the better

The only place to stay during the whole trip, hotels are less expensive during summer vacation

Day4 Dachaidan Town → Jade Lake → South Eight Immortals → Dangjin Mountain → Aksai Oil Town → Yangguan → Yumenguan → Yadan Devil City → Dunhuang

The journey is 505KM and the journey takes 8 hours.

OK: Emerald Lake is turquoise, more beautiful than Chaka Salt Lake

It is currently undeveloped and free of charge. There are 10 kilometers of gravel roads that are very bumpy.

After passing the South Eight Immortals, you can turn in and see the Yadan landform.

Detailed map below

When there is a lot of parking on the roadside at Jinshan Pass, come down and take pictures

This section of Liuge Expressway is known as China’s Route 66.

Aksai Oil Town is Boluo Zhuanjing Town

Abandoned oil town, the shooting location of the nine-story demon tower, 20 yuan ticket

Personally, I think Yangguan is well worth a visit.

(Tour time is about 2 hours)

If you encounter quicksand on the road from Yangguan to Yumenguan, you have to slow down.

Yumen Pass does not allow you to enter the scenic spot, but you can see it from a distance.

The only scenic spot is Xiaofangpan City (tour time is about 1 hour)

Yumen Pass is also the only way to get to Yadan Devil City.

You must buy the Yumen Pass to go to Devil City

We have a tight time schedule to go to Devil City on the same day and need to make other arrangements.

Food: There are no restaurants except Yangguan before arriving in Dunhuang.

Need to prepare food and water

Accommodation: If you drive by car, it is recommended to stay in Dunhuang City, the price is cheap

It’s best to book two nights, and be in Dunhuang on the second day

It is more convenient to go to the Mogao Grottoes Digital Center on the second day in the city

Staying in a hotel near Mingsha Mountain is expensive and messy

The journey is 25KM and the journey takes 0.5 hours.

Itinerary is 637KM, driving time is 8.5 hours

The journey is 491KM and the journey takes 8.5 hours.

The journey is 460KM and the journey takes 9.5 hours.

Itinerary is 520KM, driving time is 8.5 hours

OK: Just pay attention to the falling rocks when passing by them

It's all on the highway and you can drive fast and you can get there in about 12 hours.

When arriving in Lanzhou, you can go directly to Anning District without entering the city.

It is more convenient to go to Xining from Anning District early the next morning.

If you want to visit Lanzhou city, you can click on the link to view the guide:

Travel Notes on the Western Regions丨30 Days in Northern and Southern Xinjiang丨Hexi Corridor丨Chengdu – Lanzhou – Wuwei – Zhangye – Jiayuguan (1)

🔽Chengdu to Lanzhou route map

🔽Highway to Lanzhou

Dinner at Ma Laoliu Halal Restaurant in Anning District.

Enjoy delicious hand-caught lamb, lamb neck, and braised lamb,

This is probably the best meal you'll have on this trip.

🔽Ma Laoliu Halal Restaurant in Anning District

▲Hand-caught mutton

▲Sheep neck

▲Braised lamb

▲Liangpi

Overnight at Fenglin Xiaozhu Hotel,

A well-known hotel in the area,

Good location, clean, convenient parking, affordable,

The suite is suitable for large families.

But it’s so popular that you need to book in advance.

🔽Fenglin Xiaozhu

Kunyi Boutique Hotel is also good.

Clean and well serviced.

🔽Kunyi Boutique Hotel

The next day, we went to Amber Beef Noodles (Anning Branch) for breakfast.

Amber's is one of the most famous beef noodle restaurants in Lanzhou.

Wu Muller is also very famous

It opens at four or five in the morning.

Come for a bowl of authentic Lanzhou beef noodles.

It's best to order a semi-fat and lean beef a la carte.

🔽Amber Beef Noodles (Anning Branch)

Lanzhou → Xining → Kumbum Monastery → Laji Mountain → Riyue Mountain

→Daotang River→Qinghai Lake →Heimahe Township

It only takes three hours from Lanzhou to Xining.

There are no restaurants along the way.

🔽Tum Monastery

🔽Laji Mountain

Laji Mountain is a branch of Riyue Mountain.

In Tibetan, it is called "Gong Mulla".

It means the place where Gala chicken (stone chicken) lives.

Laji Mountain lies across the south of Xining.

It is the dividing line between the Loess Plateau and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

After leaving Kumbum Monastery, take S101 to Laji Mountain.

Navigate Laji Mountain Pass (tour time is about 30 minutes)

Drive directly to the top of the mountain,

The scenery is better than Riyue Mountain Pass, and it’s free.

Parking is available on the street.

It's windy and cold on the top of the mountain.

There may be slight hyperreflection.

🔽Riyue Mountain, Daotang River

Tickets for Riyue Mountain and Daotanghe are 40 yuan each.

It feels like a tasteless attraction.

🔽Qinghai Lake

When I was a kid, I heard someone say,

The most magical place in Qinghai Lake,

Because when you look at it from a distance, you feel that the water surface is higher than the road surface.

I have never been able to understand what this feels like.

When gradually approaching Qinghai Lake,

Wherever you look, there seems to be a high mountain,

Everyone was so excited that they discussed whether this was a mountain or a water?

After walking in, I realized it was actually a lake.

The main scenic spot of Qinghai Lake is Erlangjian.

You can also go to Erlangjian Scenic Area.

There are many paths belonging to herdsmen’s houses on the roadside.

Just bargain for 50 yuan per car and you can get in.

Find a road where the rapeseed flowers are in bloom and go in.

You can enjoy the lake and flowers at the same time.

There is also a Bird Island scenic spot near Qinghai Lake.

🔽Heimahe Township

Heimahe Township is the only way to pass through the large and small loops of Qinghai Lake.

A station place created entirely for tourists,

The environment is poor, accommodation is expensive, and meals are expensive and unpalatable.

Hotels must be booked far in advance.

If you arrive late on the day, it is almost impossible to find a hotel.

There are several hotels where you can watch the sunrise which are very popular.

Try to book a hotel with a view for the most convenience.

You can get up very early the next day to watch the sunrise.

Heimahe Township is also very cold at night during summer vacation.

Jackets and down vests are required.

🔽Route map from Qinghai Lake to Dachaidan

🔽Chaka Salt Lake

Tea cards are limited, so you need to book tickets in advance.

The ticket collection gate arrangement is chaotic.

It takes a long time,

So it's better to arrive early.

It's super hot inside,

Be sure to bring sunglasses and sunscreen.

If you are afraid of the heat, bring a sunhat and umbrella.

When we went there, the water was dirty and it was hot.

I simply don't want to go a second time.

But friends said it was very beautiful when they went there.

After entering the scenic spot, you have to walk a long way to reach the lake.

The weather was very hot, and people who walked were devastated.

It's more convenient to take a small train in.

But there are also many people lining up for the small train.

The best time to photograph Chaka Salt Lake

It's early morning and around sunset,

The starry sky and the Milky Way are beautiful to photograph here at night.

If you want to take a reflection without tourists

You have to go to the depths of the salt lake,

It takes about 30 minutes to walk from the lake.

Wearing bright clothes is the most photogenic,

You must wear shoe covers when entering the lake to take photos.

There are people selling them outside the scenic area and by the lake.

🔽Delingha

Unexpectedly, all the way to the desert,

It also hides a clean and beautiful city like Delingha.

"Delingha" means "golden world" in Mongolian.

This is the seat of the capital of Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province.

Haizi wrote "Sister, I'm in Delingha Tonight",

I heard from friends that there are a lot of Sichuan people doing business here.

▲The road condition to Delingha is good

▲Beautiful city in the Gobi

🔽Delingha Laoyan Roast Lamb (Main Store)

When you go to Delingha, you can eat what is known as the best grilled food in Haixi.

Lao Yan Grilled Lamb (Head Office),

We went to the wrong one last time

Lao Yan Roast Lamb (Westbound),

This house is by the river.

It is said that it is a copycat but it is also delicious.

There are also a lot of locals here to eat.

The price is quite affordable,

The authentic store should taste better!

▲Lao Yan’s roasted mutton (westbound)

🔽Dachaidan Town

It is about 200 kilometers from Delingha to Daqaidan.

Estimated to last two hours, overnight in Dachaidan Town.

It’s best to book a room far in advance.

Although the accommodation environment is average,

And there’s no way around it that it’s super expensive in the summer.

Dachaidan is the only accommodation on this road.

You will also pass these scenic spots along the way to Dachaidan:

Crook Lake-Tosu;

Alien ruins - I heard they are useless;

Gahai - you can see it when driving by at high speed;

Hala Lake - This attraction is a bit far away.

You have to turn into a road alone.

Dachaidan Town→Emerald Lake→South Eight Immortals→Dangjin Mountain→Aksei Oil Town→Yangguan→Yumen Pass→Yadan Devil City→Dunhuang

The road conditions from Dachaidan to Dunhuang are very good.

Today I will take the so-called China Route 66

The most beautiful expressway G3011 - Liuge Expressway,

Located in Qaidam Basin,

Surrounded by Gobi and desert,

The scenery for several hours along the way was all yellow and gray.

And the illusive whiteness.

This is also the most magical section of the entire trip.

This day requires a lot of time.

You need to go out early and bring food and water.

Fill up the tank as soon as you exit Dachai and enter the highway.

You don’t have to go to all the scenic spots, just choose two or three.

🔽Route map from Dachaidan Town to Dunhuang City

🔽Emerald Lake

🔽Southern Eight Immortals

You can go after seeing the Emerald Lake,

The first free Yadan landform in Dachaidan,

But it’s not a smooth journey to Dunhuang.

It takes about 3 hours more round trip.

The road conditions were very good throughout the journey.

Any vehicle can pass.

Baidu Navigation Dachaidan Devil City.

It is said that there were 8 female exploration team members in 1955.

Entering here in search of oil resources,

Lost and sacrificed here.

In memory of eight glorious female geological team members,

The place where they died is called the "Eight Immortals of the South".

The Southern Eight Immortals is an entire area.

The Yadan here is compared to Yadan Devil City in Yumenguan.

To look wilder,

Many people say it is more beautiful here.

This is no man's land and the road conditions are very good.

If there is no signal for mobile phones, vehicles should not get off the roadbed at will.

Specific lines:

Depart from Dachaidan to the first toll gate (fish card)

Come out from the side (direction of Lenghu Mahai),

Pay a toll on the bridge.

There is a very straight road after about ten kilometers.

Then keep going along the roadside sign.

Look at the road signs and head towards Lenghu first.

Walking more than ten kilometers towards Sebei, you will reach the Southern Eight Immortals.

Baidu Map input the South Baxian Highway section of Qinghai Province,

Arriving near the navigation location,

If you still go along S210, you can see the Yadan landform.

The lines are collected from the Internet and are for reference only.

▲Street sign of Nanbaxian Road

▲Route map from Dachaidan to Nanbaxian

🔽Shui Yadan

If you have enough time,

Then you can also navigate directly from Nanbaxian to Shuiyadan,

Full name: Usute (Water) Yadan Geopark

Xitai Jinai Lake and Dongtai Jinai Lake, which have been popular on Douyin recently

All around here.

This area is considered to be on the G315 national highway from Qinghai to Xinjiang.

The scenery is the most unmissable place.

For the detailed attraction guide of G315 National Highway, please click on the link to view: Travel Notes of the Western Regions丨30 Days in Northern and Southern Xinjiang丨National Highway G315丨Ruoqiang–Mangya–Huatugou Town–Emerald Lake–Xitai Jinair Lake–Shui Yadan–Delingha (ten six)

▲The Eight Immortals from the South to Yadan on the Water

Note: It’s best to go in the morning or afternoon;

Drones can currently be flown;

The scenic area is very large and it is recommended to take a battery car;

The soil near the water is very soft, so be careful.

▲Crossing the Mars Highway from Xitai Jinai Lake to the Oil Town

🔽Dangjinshan

From Dachaidan Town to Dunhuang,

Along the way is the vast Gobi desert,

There is no gas station.

I saw a lot of parking on the roadside.

Just come down and take pictures.

This section of road is known as China’s Route 66.

If this is your first time traveling to the Great West,

It is recommended that you take the Qinghai Lake Ring Road first.

Then take the G315 from Qinghai to Xinjiang,

Because the road into Xinjiang is more magnificent and shocking.

But Dunhuang is also a must-see.

🔽Akshay Oil Town

It was once a prosperous oil town,

Groundwater quality has been affected due to oil extraction.

It was moved to New Town as a whole 20 years ago.

The filming location of "Nine-Storey Demon Tower",

I went there just to take pictures.

It takes 20 minutes to complete the tour, and the ticket is 20 yuan.

Navigate to search Boluo Zhuanjing Town.

🔽Yangguan

Yangguan is a must-pass pass on the southern Silk Road.

The Western Han Dynasty established customs, and Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty "organized four counties and occupied two customs" in Hexi.

Yangguan is one of the two passes.

It is named because it is south of Yumen Pass.

It gradually declined after the Song Dynasty.

Yangguan is well worth a visit.

You may encounter quicksand on the road, so be careful to slow down.

The antique buildings in the front section of the scenic area are not interesting.

Until the monument at the former site of Yangguan was climbed up and looked into the distance,

As far as the eye can see, there is vast desert.

Only then did I feel it deeply

The loneliness and desolation when "there is no old friend in Yangguan in the west".

▲Beacon

▲The monument at the former site of Yangguan

🔽Yumen Pass

Yumenguan is also called Xiaofangpan City.

It prospered with the prosperity of the Silk Road,

It was once a must-go place for merchants from the Western Regions and people from the Central Plains to come and go.

Hotan jade has been imported from here to the Central Plains since ancient times, hence its name.

Yangguan is only an hour’s drive from Yumenguan.

After going to Yangguan and experiencing the Gobi Desert from a high place,

I feel that Yumenguan is a bit dwarfed by comparison.

Because there is only the ruins of a small Fangpan City left,

You can see it from a distance without entering the scenic area.

But this is also the only way to get to Yadan Devil City.

You must purchase the Yumen Pass to go to Devil City.

🔽Yadan Devil City

Yadan Devil City (Yadang National Geological Park)

It belongs to the edge of Lop Nur.

The area is very large and there is no signal.

You need to take the scenic bus at the door.

We will stop for ten minutes at each scenic spot to visit and take photos.

The whole journey takes more than an hour.

But if you go to Devil City on the same day,

Time will be tight.

🔽Dunhuang

The urban area of ​​Dunhuang looks very simple.

It feels like going back to the 1980s.

It is recommended to live in the city.

The price is cheap and it is convenient to go to the Mogao Grottoes Digital Center the next day.

Staying in an inn near Mingsha Mountain is expensive and messy.

There is no accommodation near Mogao Grottoes.

There is Mogao Villa only in the scenic area.

But when going to scenic spots, you have to stay in the city

Take a bus to the Digital Center.

🔽Donkey meat yellow noodles

Donkey meat yellow noodles is a famous dish in Dunhuang.

Known as China's unique.

"Donkey meat yellow noodles" is actually two dishes,

A plate of donkey meat for cooking,

Served with hand-pulled yellow noodles as a staple food.

This is the way of eating that has been spread among the people in Dunhuang for a long time.

People who have been to Dunhuang and people who live in Dunhuang,

You will see many donkey meat yellow noodle restaurants on the roadside.

The authentic soy sauce donkey meat yellow noodle restaurant includes Shunzhang Yellow Noodle Restaurant.

It is the representative of donkey meat yellow noodles that is famous in Dunhuang City.

Mogao Grottoes-Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring-Shazhou Night Market

Mogao Grottoes and Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring,

It takes a whole day to play.

The first bus leaves early.

It was just noon after watching the Mogao Grottoes.

When I return to the city, I recommend everyone to eat Jingxifeng Halal Hot Pot.

Then go back to the hotel and have some rest.

After the sun sets, go to Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring (the same scenic spot)

It's cooler,

Have Daji Donkey Meat Yellow Noodles or Shunzhang Donkey Meat Yellow Noodles for dinner.

After eating, visit Shazhou Night Market.

🔽Dunhuang Scenic Area Route Map

🔽Mogao Grottoes

You must go to Mogao Grottoes.

Murals, statues and electronic pictures seen on site

Or the feeling of paper books is definitely different,

Especially when stepping on floor tiles laid more than 1,000 years ago,

There is an illusion of traveling through time and space.

During peak season, you should book tickets on the official website one month in advance!

It’s best to choose the first one in the morning.

cooler and better light,

There were so many people in the afternoon and it was hot.

Arrive at the window at 6 a.m.

If you are lucky, you can buy a ticket for the day.

But generally you can only buy the ones tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.

Even if you buy a ticket for the day, it is a temporary ticket.

Temporary tickets and reserved tickets have different viewing content.

Not to mention the few caves I saw,

And it’s very crowded!

First drive to the Mogao Grottoes Digital Exhibition Center in the city.

Watching dome movies will be arranged by the staff.

Then take the shuttle bus to the scenic spot.

You must go see the movie,

The visual effects and content of the dome are stunning.

After I came back, I couldn't find the source of this film online.

To watch movies, you need to enter in batches.

However, due to the crowd, the staff may not notice you sometimes.

Be sure to take the initiative to ask the staff to go in.

🔽Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring

Crescent Moon Spring is nearly 100 meters long from north to south and about 25 meters wide from east to west. The spring is deep in the east and shallow in the west, with a deepest point of about 5 meters. It is curved like a crescent moon, hence its name. It is known as the "No. 1 Spring in the Desert" and has been in existence since the Han Dynasty. It is one of the "Eight Sights of Dunhuang".

Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring are the same scenic spot.

Tickets are 120 yuan/person.

If you want to ride a camel, you must wear long pants.

Shoe covers are not necessary, just wear sandals.

Remember to wear sunglasses to protect yourself from the sand.

It’s very sunny in the scenic spot during the day.

After coming back from Mogao Grottoes, you can go to eat first.

Go back to the hotel to rest and come back in the evening.

There is a QR code ticket discount at the entrance of the scenic spot.

It’s very convenient to just scan your phone to enter.

Once your fingerprints are recorded, you can come and go as you please within three days.

The activities in the scenic area are relatively expensive.

There is a desert tent camping site in the back mountain at night.

Available on Taobao,

If you go early, you can ride desert motorcycles for free.

You can also take pictures of the stars.

But when we went to experience it, we felt that the management was very chaotic.

The tent was very dirty and uncomfortable.

Anyway, it doesn’t feel good.

Especially not suitable for the elderly.

But I saw those young people having a lot of fun.

▲Ride a camel up the mountain

🔽Shazhou Night Market

🔽Jing Xifeng Halal Hotpot

Dunhuang→Jiayuguan City→Colorful Danxia→Zhangye City

From Dunhuang to Jiayuguan, you have to pass through Guazhou.

Guazhou fruits are very famous.

A must-buy golden melon.

Guazhou also has Yulin Grottoes, Pagoda Temple, and East Thousand Buddha Caves.

It would take another day to tour alone.

LunchTry the famous Jiayuguan barbecue.

After dinner, visit Jiayu Pass, the most majestic pass in the world.

In the evening, go to Zhangye Colorful Danxia to watch the sunset.

The last observation deck has the best view.

Overnight at Zhangye Jiutian Hotel (next door to the Big Buddha Temple)

🔽Dunhuang to Zhangye route map

🔽Guazhou

Fruit stall on the roadside in Guazhou,

Affordable, very sweet and delicious.

But don't buy too much,

We bought a few,

It broke the next day before it was even cut.

▲A fruit stall on the roadside

🔽Xiaodang Barbeque City

Jiayuguan’s barbecue is famous throughout the Northwest.

Although the meat quality of Xinjiang mutton is much better,

But the taste of Jiayuguan is closer to the taste of mainlanders.

Well-known stores in Jiayuguan include:

Xiaodang BBQ City in Fuqiang Market,

Niuniu BBQ Bar and Lao Chen BBQ Restaurant.

The small party is open until about three o'clock in the morning.

The signature intangible cultural heritage charred salt pork is a must-have.

🔽Glasses BBQ

Glasses BBQ in Iron Mirror Market,

It is also a well-known old store among locals.

Was recommended by LP.

Although the environment in the store is not very good,

But the fresh lamb is cut and roasted right at the door.

From mutton, lamb tripe, lamb chops, etc.,

To the sheep's head, sheep's scalp, sheep's eyes...

It feels like every sheep will die without leaving a trace,

There is no way to escape the clutches of the boss and the gourmets.

Barbecued meats are counted by the handful.

The portion is not large and the price is not expensive.

The apricot skin water and fried pancakes in the store are also delicious.

They seem to have opened a new store with a better environment.

Called Glasses BBQ (Zhongpeng store),

I don’t know why I can’t find it in Dianping.com.

Baidu Navigation can be reached directly.

▲ Inside the Iron Mirror Market, the innermost part of a bunch of small shops after going up the steps on the left

🔽Jiayuguan Pass

Jiayuguan Pass is the first pass at the western end of the Ming Great Wall.

It was also a transportation fortress on the ancient "Silk Road".

Guancheng was built in the Ming Dynasty.

It is the most spectacular Guancheng along the Great Wall.

To me, this is the kind of existence where "everyone comes here".

It doesn’t have much visual impact in itself,

It feels more like visiting a film and television base,

It's just a must visit here because of its historical significance.

🔽The Great Wall of Hanging Wall

🔽Zhangye Colorful Danxia

Zhangye Danxia Geopark is located at the northern foot of the Qilian Mountains.

The only Danxia landform and colorful hill complex area in China,

Rated by "China National Geographic"

One of the seven most beautiful Danxia landforms in China.

There are hot air balloons in the scenic area.

The most beautiful time is every sunset,

But the scenery has a lot to do with the weather.

If you go on a cloudy day, you may be disappointed.

The colorful Danxia we saw in Xinjiang was even more magnificent and beautiful

▲Tour guide

Zhangye Grand Buddha Temple→Biandukou→Zhuoer Mountain in Qilian County→

Gangshika Snow Peak→Menyuan Rapeseed Flower→Xining

A delightful day,

The beautiful scenery will make you stop for a long time,

So start early.

After breakfast, we went to visit the Big Buddha Temple at 8 o'clock.

Then set off all the way to Xining,

Passing by Biandukou (Emperor Yang of Sui Dynasty, Zhang Qian, and Huo Qubing came here),

Admire the Qilian Mountains all the way to Zhuoer Mountain (Eastern Switzerland),

You will also pass by the vast sea of ​​rapeseed flowers in Menyuan.

The scenery along the way is amazing.

A slightly better hotel in Xining city

All must be booked one day in advance.

🔽Route map from Zhangye to Xining

🔽Dong Ji Style Beef Rice

Beef rice is the most famous gourmet breakfast in Zhangye.

The soup is rich and the beef is tender.

The dough is extremely smooth.

Breakfast is opposite the hotel,

It is also the back entrance of the Great Buddha Temple.

🔽Zhangye Buddhist Temple

🔽Biandukou

🔽Zhuoer Mountain in Qilian County

Qilian County has always been known as the "Little Switzerland of the East".

The most beautiful place here is Zhuoer Mountain.

Zhuoer Mountain is located in Babao Town, Qilian County.

At an altitude of 4300m, close to Babao River,

And it faces Niuxin Mountain, a holy mountain in Tibetan areas, across the river.

Zhuoer Mountain belongs to the Danxia landform.

Composed of red sandstone and conglomerate,

In Tibetan, it is called "Zong Muma Gama".

It should be noted that

The road to Zhuoer Mountain and back was not smooth.

Traveling often takes a few more hours.

Or stay in Qilian County.

🔽Gangshika Snow Peak

Gangshika Snow Peak is located in Menyuan County.

Altitude 5254.5 meters,

It is the highest peak in the eastern section of the Qilian Mountains.

The peak is covered with snow all year round and shines with silver light.

Like a jade dragon,

It is also the first among the mountains in Menyuan.

The way back will pass through the entrance of the scenic spot.

🔽Menyuan rapeseed flower

🔽Chenggui Sheep Neck

Xining → Wajatan Village → Labrang Monastery → Langmusi → Zoigehua Lake

It is recommended that everyone use the G213 blue grinding line.

Return to Sichuan from Gannan.

The road is in good condition and there is no danger,

Not many people choose this path.

But definitely worth a try,

It should be noted that when departing from Xining,

Be sure to fill up your gas tank when you leave the city.

The G213 Lanmo line can’t find a gas station for hundreds of kilometers!

Along the way I saw several cars parked on the road without gas.

🔽Route map from Xining to Zoige

🔽G213 Lanmo Line Conditions

🔽Wakatan Village

Located in Dehenglong Township, Hualong County, Qinghai Province,

This is a strange and unknown place,

I can't find any information online.

An extremely clear river divides the valley,

Village Nine is on the other side of the river,

Only after looking at the map did I realize that this is also the Yellow River.

The color is completely different from the Yellow River we usually see.

It's a pity that you can't park in the most beautiful area.

So no pictures were taken.

🔽Labrang Monastery

Labrang Monastery is one of the most important places in the history of Tibetan Buddhism.

One of the most legendary temples.

Located in Xiahe County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province,

The full name in Tibetan is: "Gaden Xia Zhu Darji Tashi Yisu Qijulang".

Referred to as Tashiqi Temple,

It is generally called Labrang Temple.

Labrang Monastery is the altered pronunciation of the Tibetan word "Lazhang".

It means the residence of the living Buddha master.

🔽Langmusi

Langmusi is specifically a regional name.

It includes Luqu County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture

Langmusi Town

and Hongxing Township, Ruoergai County, Sichuan Province

Langmusi Village under its jurisdiction.

The birthplace of Langmusi is the Langmusi Grand Canyon in Sichuan.

In the canyon there are Langmu Cave, Tiger Cave, and the source of Bailong River.

Langmusi is also

The abbreviation of Dacang Langmugeldi Temple, a Gelug sect temple in Sichuan.

A small stream flows through the town,

It is less than 2 meters wide and is named "Bailongjiang".

To the north of the river is Gansu's "Saichi Temple".

The south bank belongs to Andakang Langmusi Temple in Ruoergai County, Sichuan.

There is a mosque of the Hui people in the middle.

Two Tibetan Buddhist temples face each other across the "river" here.

🔽Ruoergai Flower Lake

Zoigehua Lake is located next to National Highway 213.

There are three adjacent Haizi on the Ger Dam.

The youngest is called Cuergan.

The biggest one is called Wongreha,

Huahu is the middle one.

Ruoergai is like a mosaic on the northwest border of Sichuan

Magnificent and eye-catching emerald,

It is one of the three major wetlands in my country.

This place is no stranger to Sichuan friends.

The scenery no longer has much appeal.

But the tent hotel opposite Huahu Lake is still very comfortable.

Although it is on the vast prairie,

But everything is there,

Staying for one night can wash away all the fatigue.

It should be noted that here and

Ermutang Flower Sea is not the same place.

▲Huahu Scenic Area

▲Sunset at Zoige Grassland

Ruoergai Flower Lake→Chengdu

Just watch out for falling rocks when passing through Seokseok Pass.

🔽Chengdu to Lanzhou route map

▲Shidaguan landslide section