2020 Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop Travel Guide

Over two thousand kilometers of the Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop, passing through grasslands, lakes, snow-capped mountains, traversing the vast Gobi Desert, and crossing the Qaidam Basin. Experience the vastness of the desert, watch the sunset over Danxia landforms, observe the Milky Way, admire thousand-year-old murals in the Mogao Caves, and see vast flower fields at the foot of snow peaks... From then on, you will fall in love with the vastness and magnificence of the Northwest. Qinghai-Gansu Loop 6-Day Itinerary Overview: D1——Xining-Tar Temple-La Ridge Mountain-Qinghai Lake-Chaka Town D2——Chaka Salt Lake-Emerald Lake-Dachaidan D3——Dachaidan-Yadan Devil City-Dangjin Mountain-Akesai-Yangguan-Dunhuang D4——Dunhuang-Mogao Caves-Mingsha Mountain-Crescent Spring-Dunhuang D5——Dunhuang-Guazhou-Jiayuguan-Zhangye Danxia D6——Zhangye-Biandukou-Qilian Grassland-Menyan-Heiquan Reservoir-Xining 7-Day Itinerary Overview D1——Xining-Tar Temple-La Ridge Mountain-Qinghai Lake-Chaka Town D2——Chaka Salt Lake-Emerald Lake-Dachaidan D3——Dachaidan-Yadan Devil City-Dangjin Mountain-Akesai-Yangguan-Dunhuang D4——Dunhuang-Mogao Caves-Mingsha Mountain-Crescent Spring-Dunhuang D5——Dunhuang-Guazhou-Jiayuguan-Zhangye Danxia D6——Zhangye-Biandukou-Qilian Grassland-Qilian Zhuoer Mountain D7——Qilian-Arou Temple-Menyan-Gangshika Snow Peak (Daban Mountain View)-Heiquan Reservoir-Xining Preparation Before Departure 01, Please prepare all kinds of sunscreen items, sunscreen, sunscreen spray, sunscreen hat, sunscreen clothing. If you don't want to turn from a fairy or handsome guy into a walking tan, please be well-prepared for sun protection. 02, Be prepared for possible altitude sickness. If you are not confident in your physical condition or think you might experience altitude sickness, please take Rhodiola ten days before departure. There are two types of this medicine: capsules and herbal tea. Regardless of which one you buy, please take it at least ten days in advance. To reiterate: so-called anti-altitude sickness medicine only alleviates symptoms and does not prevent altitude sickness entirely. 03, Prepare various medicines just in case: 01: American ginseng lozenges, Bufferin, to control headaches caused by altitude sickness. Personal use of ibuprofen granules, suitable for both adults and children, is very effective for headaches. 02: Glucose oral solution is a must. Severe headaches from altitude sickness can cause serious vomiting, and drinking glucose can replenish energy. 03: Cold medicine, anti-diarrhea medicine, fever medicine, anti-inflammatory medicine, motion sickness medicine, etc. 04, Prepare warm clothing. The weather in the highlands can change rapidly. One moment you might be worried about sunburn, and the next moment you might be cold. So, please prepare at least one piece of warm clothing. 05, Prepare your ID card and wallet, as these are indispensable on the road. 06, Bring a power bank for your phone, a phone charger, spare batteries for your camera, and spare memory cards for your phone. The scenery along the way is so beautiful that you might run out of battery before reaching the next scenic spot. Transportation: Best Ways to Reach Xining [Plane] In the summer of 2016, Xining added more than 20 routes, covering major cities nationwide. Most coastal cities need to transit through Xi'an to fly to Xining, while major provincial capitals can fly directly to Xining. There are more flights to Lanzhou than to Xining, and the cost is 20%-40% cheaper. [Train] There are many trains to Xining from all over the country, and the Baolan high-speed railway opened in 2017, making it convenient to transfer from Xi'an by high-speed train. However, the best way to reach Xining is to fly to Lanzhou first and then travel from Lanzhou to Xining. Two Ways to Travel from Lanzhou to Xining 1. Bus: There are airport buses from Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport to Xining, costing 100 yuan per person. There are buses at 12:30, 15:30, and 19:30, taking about 2.5 hours. They can drop passengers off at Ximen, Huitong Hotel, or any allowed stop in Xining city center. 2. Intercity Train: The intercity high-speed train from Zhongchuan Airport to Lanzhou West Station (yes, it departs from Zhongchuan Airport to Lanzhou West Station) runs frequently from 7:28 AM to 10:34 PM, taking about 40 minutes. From Lanzhou West to Xining, the high-speed train runs frequently from 7:40 AM to 8:55 PM, taking about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Tips: If you fly directly to Xining, you can choose the airport shuttle service at Xining Airport, which uses regular vehicles to safely deliver you to your destination without haggling or being overcharged.