Northwest travel, if you don't hurry, you'll have to wait another year

"Northwest Autumn Charm, Five-Day Dream Tour" 🎑 The autumn in Northwest China is a stunning painting drawn by nature with brilliant colors. Here, you can find golden poplar forests, colorful Danxia landforms, ancient grotto art, and vast desert landscapes, each of which is mesmerizing. 😃 1. Scenic Spots Introduction 1. Ejina Poplar Forest - Address: Ejina Banner, Alxa League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The poplar forest here is known as the "Hero Tree of the Desert," and in autumn, it turns golden and dazzling, like a poetic painting. 😃 - Transportation: 🚄 Take a train to Jiuquan or Jiayuguan, then transfer by car to Ejina Banner. You can enjoy the desert scenery along the way. 😃 🚌 You can also choose a long-distance bus directly to Ejina Banner, but the journey is long, so be prepared. 🧐 - Must-visit spots: 🌳 Erdaoqiao: The reflection of the poplar trees is breathtaking. It is said that this place was once a filming location for movies. 😃 🌳 Sidaoqiao: Hero Forest, where the tall and sturdy poplar trees stand like heroes. 🧐 🌳 Badaoqiao: Desert scenery, where you can ride camels to experience the charm of the desert. 🖼️ 🌳 Ghost Forest: Various shapes of dead trees, as if telling ancient stories. 😃 🌳 Heicheng Ruins: Historical and mysterious. 🧐 - Ticket information: 🕘 Opening hours are generally from 6 AM to 7 PM. Ticket prices vary depending on the season. 😉 - Other tips: 💧 The climate is dry, so keep hydrated and protect yourself from the sun. 🌞 🕐 Recommended visit duration is 1-2 days. 🍜 Local delicacies include camel palm and hand-grabbed mutton. 😋 ❌ Do not litter in the poplar forest. 🚫 2. Zhangye Danxia Landform - Address: Nantai Village, Nijiaying Township, Linze County, Zhangye City, Gansu Province. The colorful Danxia landform looks like a series of magnificent oil paintings. 😃 - Transportation: 🚗 Self-driving allows you to freely enjoy the scenery along the way. You can also take public transportation to Zhangye City and then transfer to the site. 🖼️ 🚌 There are direct tourist lines from Zhangye City to the scenic area. 🧐 - Must-visit spots: 🌈 Qicaihongxiatai: The most colorful spot, showcasing the wonders of nature. 😃 🌈 Qicaiyunhaitai: Overlooking the entire area, it looks dreamy when surrounded by clouds. 🧐 🌈 Qicaixianyuntai: Unique landforms that make you feel like you're in a fairyland. 🖼️ 🌈 Qicaijinxiu: Colorful and picturesque like a brocade painting. 😃 🌈 Wohu Gorge: Shaped like a crouching tiger, very imposing. 🧐 - Ticket information: 🕘 Opening hours are from 5:30 AM to 7 PM, and tickets are 75 RMB per person. 😉 - Other tips: 💧 Protect the landform, do not step on it. 🌞 🕐 Recommended visit duration is 3-4 hours. 🍜 Local delicacies include fried pao and beef rice. 😋 ❌ Do not climb the Danxia landform. 🚫 3. Jiayuguan - Address: 5 kilometers west of Jiayuguan City, Gansu Province, in the narrowest part of the valley. Known as the "First and Greatest Pass under Heaven," it is majestic and imposing. 😃 - Transportation: 🚄 Trains can reach Jiayuguan Station or Jiayuguan South Station, then take a bus or taxi to the site. 😃 🚌 Long-distance buses are also available. 🧐 - Must-visit spots: 🏯 Guancheng: Composed of the inner city, outer city, Luocheng, Wengcheng, moat, and the north and south wings of the Great Wall. 😃 🏯 Xuanbi Great Wall: Looks like it is hanging in the air, very spectacular. 🧐 🏯 First Pier of the Great Wall: The starting point of the Great Wall. 🖼️ 🏯 Wei-Jin Tomb Murals: Highly artistic. 😃 🏯 Donghu Ecological Tourism Area: Beautiful scenery. 🧐 - Ticket information: 🕘 Opening hours are from 8:30 AM to 8 PM. Tickets for Guancheng are 110 RMB per person. 😉 - Other tips: 💧 Protect yourself from the sun and wind. 🌞 🕐 Recommended visit duration is 1 day. 🍜 Local delicacies include Jiayuguan barbecue. 😋 ❌ Do not carve or write on the walls. 🚫 4. Dunhuang Mogao Caves - Address: On the cliff of the eastern foot of Mingsha Mountain, 25 kilometers southeast of Dunhuang City, Gansu Province, on the west bank of Dangquan River. A world cultural heritage site and an art treasure trove. 😃 - Transportation: 🚄 Take a train to Dunhuang Station, then take a bus or taxi to the site. 💃 ?? There are direct tourist lines from Dunhuang City. 🧐 - Must-visit spots: 🎭 Nine-story Building: The iconic building of Mogao Caves, housing a giant Maitreya Buddha statue. 😃 📜 Library Cave: Once housed a large number of ancient documents and scriptures. 🧐 🎨 Mural Caves: Numerous caves with rich mural content. 🖼️ 🌙 Playing Pipa: Famous mural image. 😃 🧑‍🦲 Zen Caves: Quiet and mysterious. 🙏 - Ticket information: 🕘 Opening hours in peak season (April 1 - November 30) are from 8 AM to 6 PM, and in off-season (December 1 - March 31) from 9 AM to 5:30 PM. Full-price tickets are 238 RMB per person. 😉 - Other tips: 💧 Do not touch the murals and statues. 🌞 🕐 Recommended visit duration is 3-4 hours. 🍜 Local delicacies include donkey meat yellow noodles. 😋 ❌ Do not take photos inside the caves. 🚫 5. Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring - Address: 5 kilometers south of Dunhuang City, Gansu Province. The sand mountain and the clear spring coexist, creating a unique scenery. 😃 - Transportation: 🚗 You can take a taxi or bus to the site. 🖼️ 🚌 There are direct tourist lines from Dunhuang City. 🧐 - Must-visit spots: 🏜️ Mingsha Mountain: Ride camels and slide on the sand to experience the charm of the desert. 😃 💧 Crescent Spring: Shaped like a crescent moon, an oasis in the desert. 🧐 🌅 Sunset Viewing Platform: Enjoy the beautiful sunset. 😃 - Ticket information: 🕘 Opening hours are from 5 AM to 8:30 PM. Tickets are 110 RMB per person. 😉 - Other tips: 💧 Protect yourself from the sun and sand. 🌞 🕐 Recommended visit duration is 1 day. 🍜 Local delicacies include apricot peel water. 😋 ❌ Do not litter in the desert. 🚫 2. Travel Itinerary Day 1: Departure - Ejina Banner - Morning: Take transportation to Ejina Banner, check into the hotel upon arrival and rest. 😃 - Afternoon: Visit Erdaoqiao in Ejina Banner Poplar Forest and enjoy the reflection of the poplar trees. 😃 - Evening: Taste local delicacies such as camel palm and hand-grabbed mutton. 😋 Day 2: Ejina Banner - Morning: Visit Sidaoqiao Hero Forest and Ghost Forest in Ejina Banner Poplar Forest. 😃 - Afternoon: Head to Badaoqiao to experience the desert scenery. 🖼️ - Evening: Enjoy the night view of the poplar forest. 😃 Day 3: Ejina Banner - Zhangye - Morning: Take a car or train to Zhangye. 😃 - Afternoon: Upon arrival in Zhangye, visit Zhangye Danxia Landform Scenic Area and admire the colorful Danxia landform. 😃 - Evening: Taste local delicacies in Zhangye City, such as fried pao and beef rice. 😋 Day 4: Zhangye - Jiayuguan - Dunhuang - Morning: Take a car or train to Jiayuguan, visit Jiayuguan Guancheng, Xuanbi Great Wall, and other attractions. 😃 - Afternoon: Continue to Dunhuang, check into the hotel upon arrival and rest. 😃 - Evening: Explore Dunhuang City and experience the local nightlife. 😃 Day 5: Dunhuang - Morning: Visit Dunhuang Mogao Caves and appreciate the artistic charm. 💃 - Afternoon: Head to Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring to enjoy the sunset. 😃 - Evening: End the trip and take transportation back to the departure place. 😃 3. Summary 🎊 The autumn in the Northwest is poetic and picturesque, stunningly beautiful. During this five-day trip, we experienced the golden splendor of Ejina Banner Poplar Forest, the colorful beauty of Zhangye Danxia Landform, the majestic grandeur of Jiayuguan, the artistic treasures of Dunhuang Mogao Caves, and the unique charm of Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring. Come to the Northwest and embark on an unforgettable autumn journey! 💖