My Summer Travel Diary | Self-driving Northwest Grand Ring Road from Qingdao

 

my summer trip

 

Before departure

The whole journey lasted 10 days and the mileage was 6368 kilometers. It started from Qingdao on the Northwest Grand Ring Road and was part of a half-sunset tour with two drivers+Two old people+A baby. Seven-seat, two-wheel drive Outlander, it turns out that you can ride a donkey if you want, because the road conditions are very good throughout the journey, and there is no high-reflection problem as imagined, but it is indeed dry, with large temperature differences and strong ultraviolet rays.

*Day 1: Depart at 3:30 in the morning. After repeated comparisons, we finally chose Jingbian County as our first destination. The reason? The small county town is very close to the intersection of the expressway, Qingyin—Donglu— Qingyin Expressway, 1170 kilometers. I was very motivated on the first day, and it took me nearly 16 hours of stopping and going. I recommend the mutton in this place. It is the most delicious mutton that everyone agreed on this trip. It is extremely fresh and tender. In addition, accommodation in the small county town is quite cheap. Our two standard rooms cost a total of 104. Parking and shopping are quite convenient (I can recommend locations if necessary)

*The second day: The target is Tiantang Temple, Tiantang Town, the starting point of the loop line. Because the early plan was for a counterclockwise loop, we did not start from Xining, but chose Tianzhu County, a small town northeast of Xining. The whole journey is 680 kilometers, Qingyin—Dingwu Expressway—Sitan Village Exit and pass by Ningxia Zhongwei (Wolfberry). Get off the expressway and turn onto 338National Highway—Tianhu Highway. Departing from the hotel at six in the morning and arriving at the destination at 4:30 in the afternoon. I checked the guide in the early stage and found that there are forests, grasslands, and canyons throughout the Tianhu Highway. The altitude ranges from more than one thousand meters to two thousand Multiple meters, Tiantian TempleLiberationIt used to be the largestTibetan Buddhismmonastery, Gelug Sect temple, with an altitude of 2200 meters and a pleasant climate, it is Ganqing One of the rare scenic spots, commonly known as "Tianzhu's Jiangnan" . The opening hours of attractions in the western region are relatively late, and the adult ticket is 25 yuan, which is quite humane. Accommodation in the town is also very convenient, but there are not many places to eat. I recommend trying yak yogurt.

*Day three: The goal is Zhangye Danxia Geopark. Departing from Tiantang Town, we passed by the Daban Mountain Observation Deck (where we can park and take photos). We originally planned to go to the Arou Temple (not a very convenient route, so we took a detour of about 80 kilometers ) and passed by Bian Arrive at Zhangye from Dukou. The first half of Gangqing Highway—Yinba Line–227 national highway, then turn to Zhangwen Expressway at Biandukou. This section of the trip is the only one with a bit of high altitude. The total distance is 430-510 kilometers, depending on whether you go to Arou Temple. Because we considered arriving in Zhangye early so that we could watch the sunset at the Danxia Scenic Area, we reluctantly gave up the scenic spots in the area. It is recommended here that when driving long distances, it is best to have three drivers in each car, taking turns driving, resting, and chatting... The adult ticket for Danxia Geopark is 74, including sightseeing cars in the scenic area. Personally, I feel that this scenic spot is suitable for going early in the morning or late at night. Three or four hours are enough for sunrise or sunset.

*Day 4: The destination is Dunhuang, which is also the westernmost point of this trip. Zhangye—Jiayuguan—Guazhou, 680 kilometers, duration9 hours (check in at Jiayuguan and Guazhou on the way). The accommodation location is next to Crescent Moon Spring, and you can enter the scenic area on foot. It is recommended that you enter the scenic area after 6 p.m. You have to ride a camel (120/ seats), and sandboarding is also available. Yes, it’s suitable for children (don’t buy the sandboards outside the scenic area, they can’t be used). The sun doesn’t set until 9:30, so there is enough time in the evening. If you have enough time, it is recommended to go to the scenic area early the next morning to climb Mingsha Mountain. Sunrise (requires a little physical strength) ... It’s really hot when the sun is shining, feel it - Dunhuang probably doesn’t need a dryer

*Day 5: Continue to Dunhuang, target Yumen Pass, Yangguan (can be regarded as a desert oasis— grape growing area), Mogao Cave, Shazhou Night Market (quite disappointing). Dunhuang Yadan Geopark is abandoned on this section (the attraction is closed for unknown reasons during this period), which is a relatively easy arrangement in the itinerary. Emergency tickets for Mogao Grottoes can be booked from the official website, adult tickets 100 . During the peak tourist season, you need to queue up to visit the Mogao Grottoes. There are free explanations for the four main caves, which you can listen to while walking. Continue to stay near Crescent Spring in the evening.

 

*Day 6: The destination is Delingha. Normally, you should choose to stay in Dachaidan. Considering the time and accommodation conditions, I decided to rush ahead. We gave up Shuangyadan on this section. If you live in Dachaidan, it is recommended to take Shuangyadan, U highway (it is not recommended to stop and take pictures, it is too dangerous). Our Dunhuang— Cold Lake— Emerald Lake (temporarily free, these salt lake horses are only suitable for distant viewing, if you want to take pictures, you can take them Small train enters the scenic area)— Small Qaidam Lake–U type highway—Delingha. The whole journey is 720 kilometers and lasts 12 hours, which is relatively leisurely. The Liuge Expressway is semi-open, and you can park and take photos near Xiao Qaidam Lake. We chose accommodation near the Haizi Poetry Exhibition Hall. After dinner, we walked to the Bayin River and the memorial hall was very close.

*Day 7: Target Xining Kumbum Monastery, starting from Delingha, passing by Chaka (qia) Salt Lake — Qinghai Lake Huanhu West Road (if you have time, you can take a one-day trip around Qinghai Lake. If you don’t have time, you can take the Huanhu West Road to Gangcha County) — Huanhu South RoadG109–Nanshan South Ranch Observation Deck—Erlangjian Scenic Area—Tum Monastery. The whole journey is 550 kilometers and lasts 11 hours. Taking pictures on the way and riding a horse wasted a lot of time. Accommodation was chosen in Huangzhong District near Kumbum Monastery.

 

*Day 8: Go out to the Kumbum Monastery early in the morning. The Kumbum Monastery is located in the Lianhua Mountain Col in the southwest corner of Lushar Town, Huangzhong County, Xining City, Qinghai Province. It is my country's largest Tibetan BuddhismGelug Sect(commonly known as Yellow Sect) FounderTsongkhapaThe birthplace of the master, it is one of the six major monasteries of the Yellow Sect in Tibetan areas. It happened that the time we went was on the seventh day of June, and we encountered the Buddha Viewing Ceremony (super-large thangka). The Ta'er Temple Dharma Assembly is held every year from the third to the eighth day of the sixth lunar month, and the festival lasts for six days. The Tibetan name of this Dharma gathering is "Qu Ke Tui Qin", which means "Festival of Turning the Wheel of Falun Gong". According to legend, it was held to commemorate the Dharma conference where Sakyamuni preached the Dharma to believers for the first time in Sarnath, India. At that time, the temple will not only hold grand religious activities. In addition to offering offerings and chanting sutras, a Buddha viewing ceremony will be held on the lotus hillside in the morning of the seventh day of the lunar month, and the "Dharma King Dance" will be performed in the afternoon. On the morning of the eighth day of the lunar month, the activity of turning the golden Buddha was held. Under the guidance of the honor guard, the monks gathered around a colorful wheeled sedan with the golden body of Maitreya Buddha inside. Colorful flags fluttered in front, canopies and flags blocked the sun, Buddhist music proclaimed to heaven, and sutras The sound continued, and the monks and believers followed the float around the temple. On the way, a mat was laid on the ground, the Golden Buddha was bathed in pure water, and in the afternoon they danced the "Jiansang Dance". I was fortunate enough to see the 17th Karmapa and the 11th Panchen Lama...

Due to time constraints at the Kumbum Monastery, we were unable to make it to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses originally planned today, so we decided to stay in Baoji (Lanzhou is too close and Xi'an is too far). Pass by the Dongguan Mosque (under maintenance and not open to the public) and arrive at Baoji City. The whole journey is 730 kilometers and lasts 10 hours. This trip is quite tiring ...

*Day 9: Departing from Baoji, we rushed to Xianyang in the morning to see the Terracotta Warriors and Horses. The weather was too hot and not as cool as the northwest. Terracotta Warriors16-60 require tickets. The holiday can only be described as a huge crowd. In the afternoon, I rushed to Kaifeng City (if you have enough time, you can go to Qingming Shanghe Garden, Song Dynasty Martial Arts City, etc., Kaifeng City feels good to me) and stay overnight. The whole journey is 700 kilometers.

*Day 10: Return from Kaifeng to Qingdao, the whole journey was 680 kilometers and ended successfully. A group of five people, which lasted ten days, cost 4600 yuan for highway fuel, 2400 yuan for accommodation, and 1400 tickets yuan, eating 2400 yuan, and the rest is 4000 yuan including other expenses, the total cost is 15000 yuan.