[2025 Sunan Attraction] Travel Guide for Qilian Mountain (Updated Jan)

🌨️ The winter in the northwest is truly a shock to a southerner like me! The view of the Qilian Mountains from the high-speed train is different and equally stunning!❗ 🚅 There are only two high-speed trains from Dunhuang to Zhangye each day, and even the driver knows the schedule by heart: one at 7:30 and one at 8:40. I took the 8:40 train, and left the hotel by taxi at 7:45. It was still dark, and there was a bit of traffic during rush hour. The driver was calm and told us not to worry. We arrived at the train station at around 8:15, with plenty of time to spare. 🌅 In winter, the sun rises late in Dunhuang, at around 9:00. I saw the sunrise from the train, and it was stunning! 📸 If you want to see the Qilian Mountains: Lanzhou to Dunhuang: Choose seat F Dunhuang to Lanzhou: Choose seat A If you don't have a window seat, you can take photos at the door. The train I took had ads on the doors and windows, so I didn't take any photos of the windows. Otherwise, the window would have made a great frame!

Changed my itinerary to go to Zhangye for three days just to take this "Qilian Mountain View" train. It was amazing to see the snow-capped mountains, snow-covered grasslands, cattle, horses, sheep, and Chinese infrastructure from the train. - p1-p7 is D2743, Lanzhou-Xining-Zhangye, odd-numbered carriages, even-numbered rows, F seat, right side of the train, even-numbered rows have large windows p8-p12 is D2682, Zhangye-Xining, odd-numbered carriages, odd-numbered rows, F seat, right side of the train, large windows. - I didn't take many photos from my seat, I went to the carriage connection or empty seats to take photos. - D2743 train, around 10:00, after passing a tunnel, the snowfield suddenly appeared, and you can take photos until 10:40, but there are many tunnels in between, so there is not much time to take photos. There are carriage connections with "clean" glass on both sides. D2682 train, around 10:00, the Shandan Horse Farm is very close to the Qilian Mountains, but it quickly enters a tunnel. There are too many sponsor ads on the glass at the carriage connection. - Other/Suggestions/Tips: 1. You can take photos of the snow scene from both sides of the train. It's the off-season now, so you can sit in either A or F, there are still plenty of seats. 2. Zhangye is at an altitude of 1,500 meters, Xining is at an altitude of 2,000 meters, and the altitude quickly rises to 3,600 meters when passing through the Qilian Mountains, which may cause mild discomfort. 3. The window frame view is mostly around 35-50mm focal length.

If you visit Zhangye, don't miss the road from Mati Temple to Jinta Temple. Along the way, you'll see the unique charm of the Qilian Mountains in winter. Snow blankets the landscape, creating a fairytale world. The peaks are covered in snow, like a series of magnificent paintings. Nearby, you can try local delicacies. Enjoy steaming lamb soup, with tender lamb and rich broth that warms you up. Or try the sweet and crispy barley cakes with a hint of wheat aroma. Besides Mati Temple and Jinta Temple, there are many other attractions nearby. Stroll through the grasslands and feel the vastness of nature. Visit ancient villages to learn about local customs and culture. Note: During winter, the scenic area may close temporarily due to heavy snow. Follow the official WeChat account of Mati Temple Scenic Area for closure announcements and plan your trip accordingly. If driving, ensure your vehicle is equipped for snow and drive safely. It's best to visit after the snow clears, when the air is clearer and the blue sky and snowy mountains make for stunning photos.

🇨🇳The National Day has passed in the hustle and bustle, the highways are blocked, the scenic spots are crowded, and the rough life is still rough😭. 🍁Grasp the tail of autumn, the idea of ​​​​an exquisite circle of friends, pursue the romantic scenery of golden autumn before the arrival of ice and snow, and prepare for the next splendid years when the world is surrounded by mountains and forests. 🚗Start from Xining and look for autumn on the road⛰️! Autumn Route 1🍂 📍Xining → Twelve Panpo → Huzhu Beishan Langshidang Scenic Area → Follow the navigation along the Zha Nian Highway 🧭The beautiful highway scenery is waiting for you 🍁Listen to the music, the breeze is not dry 🎸Thousands of people took pictures of thousands of beautiful things, as romantic as Filming a Korean drama💃 Note: Twelve Pans has requirements for drivers’ driving skills. If you are not of high quality or have poor skills, please do not go! Autumn Route 2🍂📍 Xining → Zha Nian Highway → Huzhu Beishan Zhalong Valley Scenic Area → Gangqing Highway → Xianmi National Forest Park It has snowed recently in the Qilian Mountains, and its beauty has reached its peak🗻Snow-capped mountains and forests🌳Grasslands🌿Danxia landforms🌋Yellow River🏞️The interlacing scenery passes through the car window🚙The beautiful scenery overlaps between the twists and turns⛰️The exquisite decoration of the circle of friends is easy to handle🎨 Note: Please drive slowly and carefully and pay attention to safety! Autumn route three🍂📍Xining→Longyang Gorge Scenic Area→Chaka This is a 2-day route ✌️ Take a boat ride in Longyang Grand Canyon 🚢 Feel that the boat has passed the Ten Thousand Mountains 🛤️ Eat a whole fish feast locally 🍣 All-you-can-eat domestic salmon with various flavors 💐 Feel the power of the country by the dam 🪻 Camping and folk customs are available 🌄The sparkling water between sunrise and sunset is a beautiful sight worthy of the world🌃The sky is full of stars and the bonfire is burning🔥 It is said that 🎧life is a wilderness and can be as boundless as the scenery🏜️🌈 Arrive at the Internet celebrity attraction "Mirror of the Sky" [Chaka Salt Lake]🗺️The small train in the scenic area🚞stopping at one stop will take you to better experience the Salt Lake The beauty of large and salt sculptures. Take away a handful of Chaka salt🪨 and leave you with beautiful memories of your trip🍀. Note: Please check the announcement before departure. The scenic spot may be closed at any time, so don’t make a trip in vain! Autumn Route 4🍂 📍Xining→Laji Mountain→Qunga→Kambula National Forest Park Watching the sunrise on Laji Mountain 🏔️ is an unparalleled shock 🎑 Walking through the layers of mountains in Qunjia 🛣️ I feel like I am the protagonist of a luxury car advertisement 🍀 Pursuing the free world in my heart in the autumn of Qinghai 🏖️ Kambula National Forest Park 🏔️ Global Geopark recognized by UNESCO🏵️ Note: You have to set out early to watch the sunrise. It’s windy and very cold on Laji Mountain! Autumn Route 5🍂📍 Xining → Riyue Mountain Scenic Area → Qinghai Lake Although the mountain road is in good condition and the scenery is beautiful🎑, you must also pay attention to safety🛟Please drive slowly🏎️When you encounter beautiful scenery, it is convenient to pull over and record the beautiful scenery at any time📸Drive carefully, safety first☝️Watch the sunset on the blue ice of Qinghai Lake and send it to your friends Exquisite🏎️ Note: on the classic route, please drive slowly if there are many cars! 🥁🎶

The last stop of the Qinghai-Gansu Loop Line is Qilian Mountain I originally thought I was just passing by to take a look at the scenery. Unexpectedly, it brought me an unexpected surprise Under the continuous snow-capped mountains is an endless grassland, with groups of yaks grazing leisurely on the grassland. There are also many creeks flowing through the grassland I really can’t believe this is in the desolate northwest ~ 🍃Practical information 📍Location: Qilian Mountain Grassland 📅Opening hours: all day 🚘Transportation: It takes 2.5 hours to drive from Zhangye/Xining 🥣Food and accommodation: Ebao Town is nearby, and food and accommodation are very convenient. ~ 📷Recommended check-in points 1⃣️Biandukou There are many flowing rivers in Biandukou area. There are prayer flags and many cute ponies beside the river. The photo effect is very good. 2⃣️Ebao Town There are many roads leading to the snow-capped mountains in the town. You can also frame the ruins of the ancient city of Ebao with the snow-capped mountains. You can also overlook the snow-capped mountains from the Oboling Pass. 3⃣️Zhuoer Mountain Zhuoer Mountain in summer really feels like coming to Switzerland ~

I once thought that grasslands should be flat, open, and boundless until I saw the Qilian Grassland. The distant mountains with their overlapping peaks and the undulating grasslands nearby create a unique geographical landscape. Fields of golden rapeseed flowers🌼 and flocks of white sheep🐏 add different colors to the grassland. The place where you can see this beautiful scenery is none other than Zor Mountain⛰️ in Qilian. 🖼Scenic Area Introduction The entire Qilian Mountain range has many scenic areas, and Zor Mountain is one of them. It is a natural landscape known as the 'Little Switzerland of the East.' Located between Xining and Zhangye, if you travel along the Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop, you need to detour about 80 kilometers one way. The landform features are very rich, with rapeseed and barley planted at the foot of the mountain, colorful Danxia in the distance, and snow-capped mountains stretching endlessly. To enter the scenic area, first take a shuttle bus to the mountainside, then hike up on your own. The wooden plank road built along the way is easy to walk on, and there is a beacon tower at the top where you can get a panoramic view! It takes about 2 hours to tour. 💰Ticket Price 80 yuan/person (including round-trip bus ticket, children who are exempt from tickets need to pay a separate 20 yuan bus fare) 🗓Notes🌟 📝Recommended visiting season is from June to August; the grass is withered and lacks stunning beauty in other months. 📝The climate within the Qilian Mountain range changes greatly daily, so please bring a jacket and an umbrella. 📝The difference between Zor Mountain A-line and B-line tickets is only at the entrance, the main viewing points are the same. Just buy tickets in advance according to your itinerary. 📝I went on a self-driving tour. When I was doing my research, I also saw many sisters saying that only a few travel agencies include the Zor Mountain scenic area. If you want to join a tour group and visit the scenic area, it is recommended to consult in advance. 📝Zor Mountain is about 3000 meters above sea level, so it is recommended to move slowly. 📝I personally think the milk cake is delicious! The price is also cheaper compared to other scenic spots. There are souvenir shops, and there is a place outside to get stamps. Both adults and children can stamp beautiful stamps of various scenic spots in Qinghai.

Zhangye is already aesthetically fatigued. Zhangye under the Qilian Mountains, located in the middle of the Hexi Corridor, known as the 'Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall,' is so damn beautiful and worth visiting... In the sunny weather, there's no need for any filters, the pictures come out perfect! Later, I will update a four-day, three-night self-driving travel guide and experience in Zhangye!

👉 Zhuo'er Mountain is a branch of the Qilian Mountains, presenting a hilly grassland landscape. Its terrain belongs to the Danxia landform, with exposed areas of red sandstone interspersed with green grasslands, creating a very beautiful scene. It is known as the 'Eastern Little Switzerland' and 'China's Cloud Pasture'. The forests and grassland cattle and sheep look like an oil painting 🤩! - Opening hours 🕐: 08:00-18:00 (peak season) . Recommended visiting time: June-August 🈷️ Best visiting time: July 🈷️! (The rapeseed flowers at the foot of the mountain are in full bloom, very beautiful 🖼️) . Ticket price 🎫: Adult ticket 60 RMB/person ➕ Scenic area transportation ticket: 20 RMB/person Children 👧🏻: Free for height below 1.2m/half price for ages 6-18 Elderly 🧓🏻 (with ID and senior citizen card): Half price for ages 60-69/free for ages 70 and above Students 👩🏻‍🎓 (with student ID): Half price Discounted groups ❤️: Free for disabled persons with disability certificate; free for military personnel with officer certificate and security card; free for Shandong residents and Qilian County residents with ID; free for journalists with press card; free for tour guides with tour guide certificate. - 💬 Ticket purchase tips: There are two routes to take the scenic area transportation to the mountain, differing only in the entrance, with the main scenery being the same. Choose the route according to your itinerary 😉~ Route A: Entrance at Ladongtai Visitor Center Parking Lot Route B: Entrance at Malaha River Visitor Center Parking Lot - ✅ There are three transportation methods: self-driving, public transportation, airplane Self-driving 🚗: Navigate to Babao Town, Qilian County, Haibei, Qinghai Public transportation 🚌: After arriving in Qilian County, take Qilian Route 1 or Route 2, then walk about 2.4 kilometers Airplane ✈️: After arriving at Haibei Qilian Airport, take the Qilian Airport Shuttle Bus to Xigang Aviation Hotel Station, then walk about 2.9 kilometers - 💡 Travel tips 1️⃣ It is recommended to spend half a day touring Zhuo'er Mountain. You can go in the morning to see the beautiful sunrise and return to the county for lunch at noon. There are sightseeing buses in the scenic area that can take you from the entrance to the mountain, making it convenient and easy. 2️⃣ Zhuo'er Mountain has been developed to an altitude of 3000 meters, so be sure to protect yourself from the sun and prevent altitude sickness. Remember to climb slowly. 3️⃣ Bring some food and water as climbing consumes a lot of energy. 4️⃣ Take the shuttle bus to the halfway point of the mountain, then climb on your own. The wooden walkways along the way are well-built and easy to walk on. There is a beacon tower at the top where you can get a panoramic view! It takes about 2 hours to tour.

Trust me! You must go here in June, it's just as good as Altay Qinghai Zhuoer Mountain Scenic Area, truly rivals Altay, where you can see Danxia landforms, snow-capped mountains, and grasslands at the same time. In June and July, when the grass turns green and the rapeseed flowers bloom, it's like nature has overturned a palette, with a sea of red and green flowers, it's staggeringly beautiful. The scenic area is located in Babao Town, Qilian County, facing the sacred Niu Xin Mountain of the Tibetan area across the river, and is part of the Qilian Mountain range. It's known online as 'Little Switzerland' and 'Top Ten Most Beautiful Grasslands'; you can drive there yourself or join a tour group; Opening hours: 8:00-18:00 tips: The temperature difference between day and night is quite large, when I went there, I wore a thin down jacket in the morning and evening, and just a regular long sleeve at noon The plank walkway is not tiring to hike, but be aware of altitude sickness, do not run or jump violently, and pay attention to sun protection, the ultraviolet rays are really strong, you need to wear a hat

It is still passed down in the heroic pass.🐫 🌈This is a geographical corridor, with vast and desolate Gobi desert, simple and heavy Loess Plateau, expansive and verdant grassland oasis, majestic and crystal-clear snow-capped mountains and glaciers, and a magnificent and fantastic natural scroll unfolding in the corridor. This is an art corridor, with the hundred-mile grotto corridor shining together, Jiayuguan Pass guarding the Qilian Mountains and snow-capped peaks, and the exquisite and meticulous murals of the Mogao Caves. 🔥This is a charming corridor, with the majestic and awe-inspiring Qilian Mountains, the desolate Gobi of the Hexi Corridor, and the Crescent Spring nestled in the Mingsha Mountain, all together performing the unparalleled romance of Hexi. 🚘Recommended Northwest Gansu Travel Routes ❤4-Day Tour from Lanzhou through Hexi Corridor to Dunhuang 🚘5-Day Tour from Lanzhou through Hexi Corridor to Dunhuang 🌹D1: Lanzhou—Zhangye—Rainbow Danxia—Binggou Danxia—Stay in Jiayuguan 🌹D2: Jiayuguan—Guancheng—Y Dun—Son of the Earth—Stay in Dunhuang 🌹D3: Dunhuang—Ancient City—Yumen Pass—Yadan Devil City—Stay in Dunhuang 🌹D4: Dunhuang—Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring—Mogao Caves—Stay in Dunhuang 🌹D5: Dunhuang—Lanzhou/Various Places

Qilian Mountain National Park is known for its Swiss-like scenery. The park is vast, encompassing the entire Qilian Mountain range. The mountains I had seen before were bare, but the mountains here seem to be covered with a green blanket. There's only thin grass, not many trees, so the shape of the mountains is very clear, with strong and resolute lines, and the mountains are majestic. Below the mountains are vast grasslands, where the grass grows close to the ground. Here, herds of cattle and sheep abound, and the herders have marked the sheep. Some have pink painted on their heads, as if blushed, looking very cute; some have red painted on their rumps, swaying as they walk; others are painted blue, like little blue smurfs on the mountain; the black yaks are a bit larger. Flocks of sheep cross the road in groups, making quite a spectacle, and here, traffic jams are mostly caused by giving way to the sheep herds.

The Qilian Mountain range stretches 800 kilometers from east to west and is 200 to 400 kilometers wide from north to south, with altitudes ranging from 4000 to 6000 meters. It contains 3306 glaciers, covering an area of about 2062 square kilometers. The western end connects with the Altun Mountain Range at Dangjin Mountain Pass, and the eastern end reaches the Yellow River Valley, linking with the Qinling and Liupan Mountains, spanning nearly 1000 kilometers. It is a folded block mountain range, with the widest part reaching 300 kilometers between Zhangye City and the Qaidam Basin◇from north to south◇including the Daxue Mountain, Tuolai Mountain, Tuolai South Mountain, Yema South Mountain, Shule South Mountain, Danghe South Mountain, Tuerkendaban Mountain, Qaidam Mountain, and Zongwulong Mountain. Many peaks are between 4000 and 5000 meters in altitude, with the highest peak, Shule South Mountain's Tuanjie Peak, reaching 5808 meters. Peaks over 4000 meters are perennially snow-capped, and the valleys between mountains are also between 3000 and 3500 meters in altitude. It is an important ecological barrier in western China. In 1988, the Gansu Provincial Qilian Mountain National Nature Reserve was established in the central and eastern parts of the northern Qilian Mountains, spanning the cities of Zhangye, Wuwei, and Jinchang. Gansu and Qinghai provinces have initiated a pilot program for the Qilian Mountain National Park system. The area spans the cities of Zhangye, Wuwei, and Jinchang.

Tired of the hustle and bustle of the city, on a sunny day, I drove to the Qilian Mountains. It's really cool in the mountains, with deep mountains and deep gullies, and trees shading the sun. Birds sing in the mountain streams, and everything is thriving. The stream rushes over the rocks, flowing with a rustling sound. The primitive jungle, the winding path leads to the distance. The wooden bridge on the stream lies across the river, a natural and simple nature, how can it not make people sigh, how can it not make people linger.

When it comes to snow mountains, the first places I think of are Sichuan, Tibet, and Xinjiang. I never thought of the Qilian Mountains. Even when the plane flew over the Qilian Mountains, I thought they were too low and not very spectacular. It wasn't until the National Day when I drove to the Qilian Mountains and went deep into the hinterland that I realized I had seriously underestimated the beauty of the Qilian Mountains. Compared with famous snow mountains like Gongga and Yaomei, the Qilian Mountains are more like a snow wall. The momentum is overwhelming and indescribable. Under the contrast of the golden grassland, it is incredibly spectacular.

Matisi Temple under the Qilian Mountains, named after the horse's hoof print left by the heavenly horse drinking water here.🐎 This place is worth taking a day to stroll around, there are very few people in the off-season, self-driving is more recommended, the time is more ample, you can visit slowly. The Thousand Buddha Caves carved on the cliff are really shocking and interesting, with unique cultural characteristics. There are explanations in the 1-4 special caves, be careful when crawling inside the cave!!! Because the off-season tickets are free, the Thirty-three Days Grottoes still charge. It is more convenient to charter a car from Zhangye city, and you feel like you are approaching the Qilian Snow Mountain all the way. When you really stand under the snow mountain, it feels so spectacular, it is recommended not to take pictures on the way, wait until you get to the entrance of Matisi Temple. The Thirty-three Days Grottoes are highly recommended to explore, it's quite interesting.

Emerald City | Half of Xinjiang hidden in Wuwei, Gansu, Qilian Mountain Binggou River On the way back to Chengdu from the Northwest Ring Road An hour's drive from Wuwei city Discovered this treasure spot that resembles the karst topography of Gongnaisi in Xinjiang Belongs to the Qilian Mountain Range with mountains, snow mountains, streams, cows, sheep, ground squirrels, and a large field of malan flowers (the malan flowers from the childhood skipping rope song 'Malan Flower Blooms 21') It's just that the time went late and the blooming period is at the end of June The road is relatively easy to drive, the entrance fee is around 110, and the platform can buy a sightseeing car for 30 round trips

The Qilian Mountain National Park is colorful, under the blue sky and white clouds, the green pines and cypresses, the white snow mountains, the golden pastures, the blue lakes, the red willows... constitute a series of beautiful pictures!

In May, Qingganchuan self-driving 6/ More than 4000, the last car stopped at the peak of the big winter tree mountain pass. Hey! The four characters of "4120" stand on the top of the mountain. Although it is Mayday, the cold wind on the mountain is close to zero, the oxygen is only 60% of the plain, the pressure is 40% lower than the plain, the ultraviolet intensity is twice as high as the plain, and it takes a few steps to panic and pant. But looking at the alpine grasslands on all sides, the snow-capped peaks in the distance, the blossoming white clouds on the blue sky, all look so fresh and pleasing; the colorful and beautiful prayer flags and stupas are so holy. People left witnesses in front of the 4120's elevation mark. (The next live broadcast notice

All the way to the hustle and bustle, all the way to the beautiful scenery, Maserati Chinese tribute trip, walk through the long smoke-free no-man's land, walk through the vast night sky of the Milky Way, from the Qilian Mountains to the Kunlun Mountains, and you walk through the drunken journey, go wild, Go crazy, feel, and breathe.

Self-driving 227 National Road, feel the April Qilian Mountain 227 National Road: Zhangye Yiyi Qinghai Section yellow grassland foot snow mountain This is the Qilian Mountain in April. We are wide and escape from the crowded city. The horse is in a daze for what self-driving small tips

The last day of the Qinggan line is from Zhangye, Gansu, returning to Xining Road in Qinghai. After passing through the Qilian Mountain Grassland and Daban Snow Mountain a penny, you can take a beautiful photo day experience spring, summer, autumn and winter Northwest big ring line curious [shooting clothing] bright colors, skirts best (I shot the day the sun, not particularly cold) in addition to red with snow mountains, yellow blue is also good, props can choose silk Towel [shooting angle] There is only a little snow under the snowy mountain, there is water on the ground, only suitable for the big body. On the grassland, you can free yourself, but it is still a plateau. If you are uncomfortable, don't take risks. [Best date] June to August is the most beautiful time in Qinghai [Tips] It is not recommended to drive by yourself, the road conditions are complicated, and I accidentally went to the northwest ring line and got back to the negative points.

After the blue sky The golden wheat wave is there. It was where you and I loved when the breeze brought the taste of the harvest blowing My face think of your soft words once wet my eyes ah ... ah ... ah ... ... ... Li Jian's lyrics make people wind the waves The scene is longing for love. In August last year, Qinghai traveled, and the children were smashing down the mountain, and smashed the scenes in the lyrics. August is a harvest season. Passing through the villages under the Qilian Mountains, the sun is shining on the wheat fields, and there are layers of golden waves. The scene is simply beautiful. Taking a photo of the sun before going down the mountain, I took a group for my sister, which is still super love. The most beautiful scenery on the road~

The longer I grew up, the more I wanted to occupy a mountain to go to the life of the sheep. I watched them riding horses on the grassland, and they couldnt stand it. The summer in Qinghai was especially suitable for hiking. So we stopped to feel the walk. The power, no one knows, what is she thinking about? Perhaps because of the mystery, it created the mystery of this photo. I tried to embrace everything I like, people or animals, but it seems to be a little disgusting! It may be because I have worn a shawl that I have not washed for 3 days~ I am so comforting myself, I seem to be a bit harmonious with this car, they are very friendly, take the initiative to ask us if we want to ride a horse, chat with us Location: Qilian Mountain / Hh/Traffic: Self-driving Note: If you look at the ridiculousness of Qinghai, then you must go to Qilian Mountain, Qilian Mountain is full of grassland, cool like Switzerland Life is short, a few decades have passed, small The small squid is trying to go upstream for the future. What reason do we stop? Teenagers, altogether, we continue to move forward ~