Northwest Grand Loop 7 Days 6 Nights｜The Secret Spot Everyone’s Talking About on Social Media​

Enjoy it all for just 2k per person! Route: Lanzhou → Zhangye → Jiayuguan → Dunhuang → Dachaidan → Chaka Salt Lake → Qinghai Lake → Xining 💰 Cost: 2k+ (including transportation, accommodation, and tickets) **⏰ Best Season: June to September (green grasslands, blue salt lakes, desert that won’t burn your feet)** 🚗 Day 1: Lanzhou — Zhangye (Rainbow Mountains) Transportation: Take the high-speed train from Lanzhou to Zhangye (about 3 hours, 💰150) What to do: ✅ Rainbow Mountains: Enter after 4 PM, the Danxia landform looks like a spilled palette under the sunset! ✅ Zhangye Night Market: Must-try Cuo Fish Noodles and Stir-fried Bula, only 30 per person to eat until full! Accommodation: Guesthouse near the Danxia Scenic Area (💰100/night) 📸 Photo Tips: Wear white or black clothes for a stunning contrast with the colorful mountains! 🏜️ Day 2: Jiayuguan — Dunhuang (Desert Camping) Transportation: Carpool from Zhangye to Jiayuguan (2 hours, 💰80), then high-speed train to Dunhuang in the afternoon (2 hours, 💰80) What to do: ✅ Jiayuguan Great Wall: Experience the majestic desolation of the “Mighty Pass” (ticket 💰110) ✅ Dunhuang Mingsha Mountain: Enter after 7 PM to avoid the heat, ride camels (💰100), and stargaze! Accommodation: Desert camping tent (💰150 including dinner + bonfire party) 💡 Tips: Bring wet wipes! Sand gets everywhere in the desert... 🌅 Day 3: Dunhuang Mogao Caves — Crescent Lake What to do: ✅ Mogao Caves: Book A-class tickets one week in advance (💰238, includes 8 caves + movie) ✅ Crescent Lake: Visit at dawn or dusk for soft light and stunning reflections! Food: Donkey meat yellow noodles, apricot peel water (Dunhuang night market, about 50 per person) **⚠️ Note**: No photography inside the caves, use your eyes to record the millennium-old murals~ 💎 Day 4: Dachaidan Emerald Lake Transportation: Carpool from Dunhuang to Dachaidan (4 hours, 💰150) What to do: ✅ Emerald Lake: Free entry! Drone shots reveal Tiffany blue water (wear a long dress!) ✅ 315 U-shaped Road: A must-visit for cool girls, watch out for traffic! Accommodation: Dachaidan town (💰120/night) 🎒 Essentials: Sunglasses + sunscreen, the high-altitude UV is very strong! 🌊 Day 5: Chaka Salt Lake — Qinghai Lake Transportation: Carpool from Dachaidan to Chaka (5 hours, 💰200) What to do: ✅ Chaka Salt Lake: Choose the Sky No.1 Scenic Area, fewer people and better mirror effect (ticket 💰60) ✅ Qinghai Lake Erlangjian: Enter via herders’ trail to save on the ticket (💰10)! Accommodation: Tibetan-style tent by Qinghai Lake (💰80/night) 📢 Warning: Don’t buy shoe covers at Chaka, rentals leak water... 🚆 Day 6-7: Xining Return Trip Last day: Watch the sunrise at Qinghai Lake, then take the bus back to Xining in the afternoon (💰50) Souvenirs: Yak jerky, black goji berries (buy at Mojia Street, remember to bargain!) 🌟 Travel Tips 1️⃣ Transportation: Carpool + high-speed train throughout, saving money and convenient! 2️⃣ Outfit: Bright-colored dresses + windbreaker (big temperature difference between day and night) 3️⃣ Altitude sickness: Qinghai Lake is 3200m above sea level, avoid strenuous exercise **💬 Quick replies in the comments! Next issue: "Northwest Food Hits and Misses"~** 🔖 #NorthwestGrandLoop #BudgetTravelGuide #DesertTrip #QinghaiLake #DesertJourney #QinghaiTravelGuide #GansuTravel Qinghai·China Gansu·China