Menyuan Hundred-Mile Rape Flower Sea

Here's a summer travel plan for visiting Menyuan Hundred-Mile Rape Flower Sea: Pre-trip Preparation - Documents: Bring valid IDs like ID cards and student cards for ticket discounts. - Clothing: Pack windbreakers, fleece jackets, thermal underwear, etc. as Menyuan has significant temperature differences between day and night in July. - Sun protection: Due to strong UV radiation at high altitudes, prepare sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hats, and UV-protective clothing. - Medications: Bring ibuprofen, gastrointestinal medicine, cold medicine, and altitude sickness medication to prevent altitude sickness, colds, and stomach discomfort. Transportation Guide - Self-driving: Depart from Xining via Zhangwen Expressway, 130 km (about 1.5 hours) with a 47 yuan toll. - High-speed rail: Take a train from Xining Station to Menyuan in under 1 hour (30 yuan ticket). - Bus: Take a coach from Xining Bus Station to Menyuan County (about 3 hours). Accommodation Options - Qingshizui Town: Affordable homestays like "Herdsman's Home" with convenient transportation. - Haomen Town: Hotels like Menyuan Tianyi Hotel with ample parking and rich breakfast options. Itinerary - Day 1: Xining - Menyuan - Yuanshan Flower Viewing Platform - Fragrant Bath Scenic Area - Zhaobi Mountain Scenic Area - Morning: Arrive in Menyuan and visit Yuanshan Flower Viewing Platform for a 360° panoramic view of rape flower fields against snow-capped mountains. - Noon: Enjoy local specialties like hand-grabbed mutton and highland barley pancakes at nearby restaurants. - Afternoon: Explore Fragrant Bath Scenic Area with its European-style wooden houses and windmills amidst vast flower fields. - Evening: Visit Zhaobi Mountain Scenic Area's highest viewpoint for sunset views over Qilian Mountains and Menyuan county. - Day 2: Menyuan - Dabanshan Viewing Platform - Qilian Grassland - Gangshika Snow Peak - Morning: Visit 3,940m-high Dabanshan Viewing Platform for spectacular flower-and-snow mountain views. - Noon: Dine at farmhouse restaurants near Gangshika Snow Peak (National Highway 227) for local dishes. - Afternoon: Experience horseback riding on Qilian Grassland and see white yaks grazing among flowers. - Evening: Hike Gangshika Snow Peak's trails to glacier viewing platforms (summer snowline recedes to mid-mountain). Food Recommendations - Hand-grabbed mutton: Tender and flavorful, a must-try local dish. - Highland barley pancakes: Crispy and sweet, made from barley flour. - Yak yogurt: Thick and creamy, best enjoyed with sugar or honey. Important Notes - Respect local Hui customs - don't photograph residents without permission. - Last scenic area shuttle buses usually depart around 17:30 - plan accordingly.