Lanzhou + Wuwei + Qilian + Huangyuan + Zhangye + Jiuquan + Jiayuguan + Delingha + Haixi 9-Day Northwest Grand Loop

Here comes the 9-day Northwest Grand Loop travel guide! A super detailed itinerary compiled with tears～✨ 🚗Day 1: Kushuizhen Danxia Self-driving Camp, Yongdeng County ✨The first stop lets you experience the wonders of nature! The camp is about 1.5 hours' drive from Lanzhou, self-driving is recommended～ 🚗Day 2: 📍Wanda Meihua Hotel, Hailu New District, Xining → 📍Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum (Ticket 60💰, opens at 9:00) → 📍Ta'er Monastery (Sacred site of Tibetan Buddhism) → 📍Cangyang Gyatso Cultural Square → 📍Fairy Bay at Qinghai Lake (Stunning sunset🌅) → 📍Haizi Poetry Museum (A must-visit for literary youth📖) 🚗Day 3: Depart from Delingha → 📍Keluke Lake (Free!) → 📍Toson Lake (Alien site) → 📍Chaka Salt Lake (China’s largest salt lake🌊) → 📍Yadan Landform (Great for photos📸) → 📍Nanbaxian Devil City (Full of mystery🈵) 🚗Day 4: 📍Emerald Lake (Ticket 50💰) → 📍Mars No.1 Highway (Crossing the no-man’s land🚙) → 📍Heidu Mountain (Looks like the moon surface🌑) → 📍Aksai Film Base (Filming location of "Chronicles of the Ghostly Tribe"🎬) 🚗Day 5: 📍Mogao Caves (Book in advance🎫) → 📍Son of the Earth (Giant sculpture👶) → 📍Jiayuguan Fortress (The First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven🏯) → Overnight at All Seasons Hotel (Jiayuguan City Government Branch) 🚗Day 6: 📍Barsi Snow Mountain (Hidden gem🏔️) → 📍Binggou Danxia (Less crowded than Rainbow Danxia!) → 📍Zhangye Alien Valley (Super magical landform👽) 🚗Day 7: 📍Shandan Military Horse Farm (Asia’s largest🐎) → 📍Biandukou (Sea of rapeseed flowers🌼) → 📍Ebao Ancient City (Full of historical vibes🏰) 🚗Day 8: 📍Zhuo'er Mountain (The Little Switzerland of the East🇨🇭) → 📍Qilian Mountain Grassland (Horse riding fun🏇) → 📍Qinghai Provincial Museum (Free admission📜) 🚗Day 9: Yangtze International Hotel, Xining → Return home✈️ 🌄Top Must-Visit Attractions: 1️⃣ Ta'er Monastery ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 2️⃣ Qinghai Lake ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 3️⃣ Mogao Caves ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4️⃣ Chaka Salt Lake ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5️⃣ Jiayuguan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⚠️Travel Tips: ✔️Big temperature difference in August, bring sun protection + warm clothes ✔️Book Mogao Caves tickets in advance ✔️Wear waterproof shoe covers at the salt lake ✔️Self-driving is recommended in convoy ✔️Prepare medication for altitude sickness