Short Holiday Fun in Xining, Qinghai Lake, and Zhangye: A Super Detailed Guide

The short holiday is here! Do you want to explore Xining, Qinghai Lake, and Zhangye? Here's a super practical 8-day travel guide for you to check out, your key to exploring the Northwest! -------------------- 🚩Itinerary: DAY 1: Arrive in Lanzhou, free time on arrival day Gather in Lanzhou. Free time for the whole day. Explore the local cuisine and culture. DAY 2: Riyue Mountain -> Erlangjian Scenic Area, Qinghai Lake Cross Riyue Mountain and enjoy the plateau scenery. Arrive at Erlangjian Scenic Area, Qinghai Lake, and experience the beauty of the lake and mountains. DAY 3: Chaka Salt Lake Visit Chaka Salt Lake, stroll on the salt lake, and experience the magical scenery of the "Sky Mirror." DAY 4: Qarhan Salt Lake -> Dachaidan Emerald Lake Visit the magnificent scenery of Qarhan Salt Lake, then go to Dachaidan Emerald Lake to admire the colorful salt lake scenery. DAY 5: Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring -> Mogao Caves Climb Mingsha Mountain, listen to the sounds of the sand sea, and visit the miracle of Crescent Moon Spring. In the afternoon, visit the Mogao Caves and experience the charm of the millennium-old murals. DAY 6: Jiayuguan Pass Visit Jiayuguan Pass and experience the majesty of the Great Wall and the weight of history. DAY 7: Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park Go to Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, admire nature's wonders, and experience the colorful Danxia landforms. DAY 8: End of tour in Lanzhou, looking forward to seeing you again End your pleasant journey in Lanzhou. Looking forward to more wonderful gatherings in the future. -------------------- Recommended attractions: ✨ Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Address: Mingshan Road, Dunhuang City, Jiuquan City Opening hours: Mar 10–Aug 19, 07:00–19:00 Duration: 3–5 hrs An oasis in the desert, the crescent-shaped spring water shimmers among the sand dunes, creating a unique charm. 🌈 Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Address: Nantai Village, Niijiaying Town, Linze County, Zhangye City, Gansu Province Opening hours: Mar 1–20, 07:30–17:00 Duration: 3–5 hrs The colorful Danxia landforms are on full display here, every step is a beautiful painting. 💧 Chaka Salt Lake ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Address: No. 9 Yanhu Road, Chaka Town, Ulan County, Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Opening hours: Mar 1–Sep 29, 08:15–19:00 Duration: 2–4 hrs The reputation of the "Sky Mirror" is well-deserved. The purity and beauty of the salt lake make it unforgettable. 🏯 Mogao Caves ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Address: 25 km southeast of Dunhuang City, Jiuquan City Opening hours: All year round, 09:00–17:30 Duration: 3–4 hrs A Buddhist art sanctuary that has spanned thousands of years. Every mural and every Buddha statue tells a story of history. -------------------- Things to prepare before departure:🎒 👗 Clothing: Bring a windproof and warm jacket, scarf, hat, sunglasses, and sports shoes suitable for outdoor activities. Don't forget to bring a few pairs of pants and comfortable underwear. 🎒 Accessories: Power bank, charger, selfie stick, put them all in your backpack. Also, don't forget to bring an umbrella or raincoat to cope with the changing weather. 💳 Documents: ID card, student ID, essential for travel, don't forget! You can also bring a small amount of cash for emergencies. 💊 Medicine: Cold medicine, motion sickness medicine, stomach medicine, and altitude sickness medicine. Prepare in advance, healthy travel is very important! In addition, sunscreen is also essential. -------------------- Xining, Qinghai Lake, and Zhangye, beautiful scenery all the way. Don't forget to leave your footprints and stories!👣✨