If you are planning to travel the Gansu-Qinghai loop route, please avoid these blacklisted attractions.

I have been to Gansu and Qinghai 6 times, and I have compiled a super complete guide (latest version in 2025) Preface: I have made 6 Gansu-Qinghai loop trips, from a newbie to a veteran player. I have summarized all my lessons learned and my hidden tricks in this guide! The latest information in 2025, recommended for collection! 1. Preparation before the trip (key points to avoid pitfalls!) 1. Document list - ID card + driver's license (required for car rental) - Teacher ID/Student ID (save NT$100 on Mogao Grottoes tickets) - Border defense pass (apply in advance if you want to go to Hoh Xil) 2. Deadly Gear - Sun protection three-piece set: SPF50 + sunscreen + mask + sunglasses (UV rays are so strong that you doubt your life) - Three life-saving treasures: portable oxygen cylinder + montmorillonite powder (high altitude + acclimatization) - Photography artifact: drone (90% of the scenic spots are amazing when taken from the air) + mobile phone anti-sand case 3. Clothing Guide - Onion-style dressing: thin down jacket + jacket + short sleeves (temperature difference between day and night 20℃) - Must-have items: bright-colored scarves (for taking photos) + Martin boots (sand and waterproof) 2. Transportation options (blood and tears experience) 1. Guide to charter car pitfall prevention - Choose a 4-person off-road small group (800-1200 per person per day) - Confirmed to include: drone photography + plateau insurance + oxygen cylinder - Avoid: If the price is lower than 700/day, there must be something fishy going on. 2. Self-driving tips - Pick up the car in Xining and return it in Dunhuang (return fee is about 500 yuan) - Must download offline maps (National Highway 315 often has no signal) - Refueling rule: refuel at every station! The next gas station may be 300km away 3. The latest route in 2024 (the best one tested personally) Day 1-2: In-depth gameplay of Qinghai Lake - Sunrise over the Black Horse River (free viewing platform location: Panchen Aobao) - Cliff Secret Realm (navigation "Sea Sacrifice Platform", 10 times less than Erlang Swordman) - Private game: Feeding in the Przewalski's Gazelle Reserve (limited to 30 people per day) Day 3-4: Emerald Lake Advanced Strategy - Best time: before 10 am (only when there is no wind can you take pictures of the reflection) - Hidden camera position: 300 meters west from station 4 (Tiffany Blue Salt Cave) - New gameplay: Salt lake floating experience (reservation required in advance) Day 5-6: Dunhuang hidden gameplay - Tips for grabbing Mogao Grottoes tickets: swipe and refund at 14:00 every day (success rate 80%) - Tips for avoiding the ticket at Mingsha Mountain: Buy one ticket and you can enter for 3 days (see the stars at night) - Niche experience: Clay print copying (official event of the institute) Day 7-8: The Ultimate Adventure of Devil City - Night photography at Eboliang: the only Yadan open for night photography - Mars Camp: Rent a space suit for taking photos (bargained to 150/hour) - Important reminder: You must enter with a group that has a permit! 4. Accommodation Red and Black List (2024 Actual Test) ✅ Must-stay list: - Daxiadan "City of Light and Shadow" (Glass Starry Sky Room) - Dunhuang "Molihua" B&B (the owner is a photographer) - Cold Lake Mars Camp (Really Sleeping on Mars) ❌ Mine avoidance list: - Hotels in Chaka Salt Lake Scenic Area (expensive and noisy) - Zhangye Qicai Town B&B (most of them are photo scams) - Hotel next to Golmud Railway Station (very bad environment) 5. Food Map (Local Certified) 1. Xining must eat: - Yixin Hand-Pulled Lamb (Dipped in Pepper and Salt + Raw Garlic) - Marsa beef offal (queue at 4am) 2. Dunhuang hidden menu: - Daji Donkey Meat with Sauce (yellow noodles should be served with "San Pao Tai") - Lao Li Ji baked buns at Shazhou Night Market (out of the oven at 5pm) 3. Zhangye is very lively: - Sun Ji Chao Pao (the ceiling of the noodle industry) - Chicken Roll (so much that I doubt my life) 6. Lessons from Blood and Tears (Must Read!) 1. Mogao Grottoes: - Grab Class A tickets 30 days in advance! Class B tickets are a scam! - Taking photos is strictly prohibited inside the cave (it will permanently damage the murals) 2. Chaka Salt Lake: - Don't buy the train! 15 minutes walk to the core area - Half price tickets after 4pm (light is softer) 3. National Highway 315: - Parking is prohibited on U-shaped roads! Drive 2km ahead for a better photo spot. - Brake failure of large trucks has caused many accidents! Don't sit in the middle of the road. 7. New Trends in 2024 1. The rise of eco-tourism: - Bird watching at Qinghai Lake (Best in July and August) - Tracking Tibetan antelopes in Hoh Xil (requires advance notification) 2. Cultural Digging: - Dunhuang mural restoration experience (official workshop) - Regong Thangka painting (booking at Wutun Temple) 3. Extreme Challenge: - Crossing the Hala Lake No Man's Land (for professional teams only) - Bayi Glacier Hike (special equipment required) Final advice: 1. The traffic volume from June to August is 5 times that of normal times! Can be early 2. All "free attractions" may suddenly charge a fee (such as Dongtaijinaier Lake) 3. Respect local customs: Do not wear shorts in mosques and do not step on prayer flags This guide integrates my 6 experiences of encountering pitfalls, and I dare say it is the latest and most comprehensive! If you need a detailed daily itinerary or recommendations for reliable drivers, please see the comments section~ 🚙💨