Travel Guide for a 5-Day Qinghai-Gansu Trip

Ladies planning a trip to Northwest China! Check out this travel plan in advance, personally tested by me! A five-day, four-night itinerary including transportation and food recommendations is all here 👀. The entire route is efficient, ensuring you won’t waste time or take unnecessary detours! 👋 🧳 Preparation for the Trip ✔️ Documents: ID card, student ID, military ID, journalist ID, and other certificates that may offer discounts ✔️ Clothing: The temperature difference between morning and evening in Northwest China is significant. If you’re traveling now, bring a windbreaker or down jacket. If it’s warmer, a jacket will suffice. ✔️ Electronics: Drone, power bank, headphones, chargers, etc. ✔️ Medications: Cold medicine, stomach medicine, band-aids, etc. ✔️ Others: Sunscreen, sunglasses, umbrella, disposable bed sheets, disposable toilet seat covers, etc. Qinghai Lake-Dunhuang-Zhangye 5-Day Grand Loop: Day 1: Xining → Riyue Mountain → Qinghai Lake (Heimahe) → Chaka Salt Lake → Delingha (overnight stay) Day 2: Delingha → Crossing the Qaidam Basin → (Emerald Lake) → Dunhuang (overnight stay) Day 3: Dunhuang → Mogao Caves (best to book tickets for around 9 AM) → Mingsha Mountain Crescent Lake → Shazhou Night Market → Dunhuang City (overnight stay) Day 4: Dunhuang City → (passing Jiayuguan) → Zhangye Rainbow Mountains Geological Park → Zhangye (overnight stay) Day 5: Zhangye → Biandukou → Qilian Grassland → Gangshika Snow Peak (distant view) → Menyuan Rapeseed Flower Fields (July) → Xining (end of trip) 🏞 Highlights 📌 Qinghai Lake 🌊: A vast inland saltwater lake with crystal-clear blue waters, perfect for enjoying natural scenery and observing migratory birds. 📌 Chaka Salt Lake 🌈: Known as the "Mirror of the Sky," its reflective surface creates a surreal experience, making you feel like you’re in a dream. 📌 Zhangye Rainbow Mountains 🌄: Vibrant and layered, resembling a spilled palette of colors on the earth. A spectacular sight and a classic attraction in Gansu. 📌 Jiayuguan 🏰: The westernmost pass of the Ming Great Wall, historically known as the "Throat of Hexi," and a key transportation hub on the ancient Silk Road. 📌 Dunhuang Mogao Caves 🕍: A UNESCO World Heritage Site preserving exquisite murals and sculptures, offering a window into ancient Buddhist art. 🍴 Food Recommendations Qinghai: Hand-grabbed mutton, cannon noodles, baked mutton, Qinghai hotpot, old-style yogurt, stuffed skin noodles, mixed organ noodles 🍜 Dunhuang: Apricot peel tea, donkey meat yellow noodles, mutton soup, poplar tree flatbread 🥞, pulled noodles, desert sand chicken, barbecue Zhangye: Rolled chicken, pinched noodles, beef rice, fried dough twists, jelly noodles, Zhangye stewed noodles, mutton with rolled pancakes 🫔 Gansu: Lanzhou beef noodles, Dongxiang hand-grabbed mutton, Jingning roast chicken hotpot, mutton bread soup, Jingyuan lamb, gray beans ⚠ Travel Tips 🔸 Check temple restrictions in advance. 🔸 Northwest China has a dry climate; remember to bring hydration supplies 💦. 🔸 Don’t forget your power bank and chargers 🔌. 🔸 Some attractions (e.g., Black Mountain) require walking; bring comfortable shoes 👟. 🔸 For Chaka Salt Lake and Mingsha Mountain, bring shoe covers 🦿. ⚠ Important Notes ✅ Altitude Sickness: The Northwest region has high altitudes, and you may experience mild altitude sickness initially. Drink plenty of water, rest well, avoid strenuous activities, and let your body adapt gradually. ✅ Climate Differences: The Northwest has a dry climate and significant temperature differences between morning and evening. Wear layers and adjust clothing accordingly! 🧣 ✅ Ticket Booking: Tickets for popular attractions like Mogao Caves are in high demand. Book in advance to avoid disruptions to your itinerary 📅. ✅ Respect Local Customs: The Northwest is home to diverse ethnic groups. Respect local customs and religious beliefs, especially when visiting temples and minority areas. Follow relevant rules 🙏.