A must-see for self-driving travelers! Spend 3 carefree days with wild horses on the Qilian Snow Mountain Grassland

Here comes the complete 3-day self-driving guide to Qilian! 🎉 (Altitude 2800-4300m, summer 15-25℃, winter -20-0℃) ✨【Pre-trip Essentials】 🍃Best Season: June to September｜A magical combo of green grasslands + yellow rapeseed flowers + white snow mountains October｜Fewer people, beautiful scenery, perfect for golden autumn photos December to March｜Snowy wonderland, some roads may be icy, caution advised 🚗Transportation Guide: ✈️From Xining: - Xining Caojiapu Airport → Qilian 280km - 4 hours via highway + national road, passing over Daban Mountain to enjoy Menyuan flower sea 🚞From Zhangye: - Zhangye West Station → Qilian 220km - Take G312 then G215, 3.5 hours direct, stunning views of Danxia landform → grassland → snow mountains 💼Gear Guide: ☑️Must-have trio: sunscreen + sunglasses + windbreaker ☑️Altitude sickness kit: oxygen bottle + glucose ☑️Winter essentials: crampons + thick fleece ⚠️Border pass: required for Bayi Glacier ====== 【3 Days 2 Nights Magical Route】 🌈Day 1｜Xining → Menyuan → Zhuo'er Mountain → Qilian 08:00 Depart from Xining, pass Heiquan Reservoir 10:30 Daban Mountain viewing platform, capture the stunning Menyuan rapeseed flower sea (best in July) 12:30 Lunch in Qingshizui Town, must-try hand-pulled lamb + traditional yogurt 15:00 📍Zhuo'er Mountain Scenic Area (ticket + shuttle 80 RMB) Danxia landform + snow mountains + Tibetan village in one frame, 2-hour plank road hike 19:30 Wait for the "Sunlight on Golden Mountain" spectacle 20:30 Check in to county town, recommended late-night snack: Lao Ma’s Kang Pot Lamb 🌈Day 2｜Grassland → Forest Sea → Ancient Temple → Ancient City 07:30 Anduo beef noodles + butter tea to wake up 08:30 📍Qilian Mountain Grassland (free) Horse riding / Tibetan costume experience, watch adorable black-headed sheep flock 10:30 📍Binggou Forest Sea (free) Primitive forest hike, breathe in plenty of negative oxygen ions 12:30 Pastoral family hand-pulled lamb by the stove 14:00 📍Arou Monastery (ticket 30 RMB) The largest tent monastery in China, experience the charm of Tibetan Buddhism 15:30 📍Ebao Ancient City Ruins Climb the Silk Road post station walls, imagine the camel bells of ancient caravans 17:30 Stay at Zhuo'er Mountain scenic homestay 🌈Day 3｜Glacier or Stone Forest → Return 🌟Summer choice: 07:00 📍Bayi Glacier (border pass required) Stunning blue ice cave, 3 hours on gravel road 🌟Winter alternative: 09:00 📍Qilian Stone Forest 40km away, glacier relics perfect for spontaneous photo shoots ====== 【Must-try Foods】 🥘TOP1 Kang Pot Lamb 📍Lao Ma’s Food City｜Babao East Road, Qilian County Small portion serves 2-3 people, crispy, slightly spicy, very appetizing 🐑TOP2 Hand-pulled Lamb 📍Freshly slaughtered and cooked at pastoral homes Perfect with garlic paste, melts in your mouth 🥛TOP3 Yak Yogurt 📍Tibetan home at Arou Monastery entrance 2mm thick milk skin, remember to add sugar ====== 【Accommodation Recommendations】 🏨Best value: 📍Qilian Hotel｜30 Babao West Road｜Off-season 120 RMB 🏡Popular scenic stay: 📍Yunshang Zhuo'er Homestay｜Next to Zhuo'er Mountain Scenic Area Floor-to-ceiling windows facing Niuxin Mountain, book early in peak season ⛺️Unique experience: 📍Huangchengtang Pasture Starry Sky Tent Includes breakfast, dinner + bonfire party, 380 RMB/person ====== 💰Budget Reference Economy: 1100 RMB/person Quality: 2300 RMB/person ❗️High-altitude TIPS: 1️⃣Don’t wash your hair or take a bath the first night 2️⃣Carry hot water and glucose with you 3️⃣No signal on glacier roads, travel in groups 4️⃣Protect the environment, heavy fines for violations 📸Final thoughts: The beauty of Qilian is the love story between grassland and snow mountains It’s the sunlight on golden mountains you see every morning It’s every frame worth cherishing on the hundred-kilometer drive 🎁Bonus: You’ll encounter lots of marmots along the way! Remember to bring small cookies to feed them~