Winter Travel Guide for Northwest China｜Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop Off-Season Travel Guide

Take advantage of the off-season to carve out some time, see the world, and explore the great Northwest Qinghai-Gansu route~ Here you’ll find colorful salt lakes, vast deserts, multicolored Danxia landforms, and magical yardang formations, You can also experience the human Dunhuang and immerse yourself in traditional Chinese culture! 95% of the scenery along the Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop is unaffected by the season, so don’t worry too much, ladies~~ It’s truly beautiful after sunny days! And it’s not as cold as you might think! For those driving, please pay attention to road conditions and bring snow chains. ----- ⚠️⚠️⚠️ Temperatures along the Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop: November weather is generally not too cold; in December, temperatures drop about 4-6 degrees overall, with large temperature differences between day and night, so keep warm. 1⃣️ Mostly clear days, with relatively few snowy days 2⃣️ Heavy snow blocking roads is rare; even if it snows, roads are usually cleared promptly, so no need to worry too much 3⃣️ Hotels are very warm, with heating already provided ---------------- 🌆🌆🌆 Northwest Grand Loop, these winter travel spots are worth checking out, and most attractions are open as usual: ✔️Qinghai Lake ✔️Chaka Salt Lake ✔️Feicui Lake (Emerald Lake) ✔️Water Yardang ✔️Silk Road Heritage City ✔️Heidu Mountain ✔️Dunhuang Mogao Caves ✔️Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring ✔️Zhangye Danxia Landform ✔️Qilian Grassland ------------------- 🚫 Warning: Driving may seem carefree, but the road conditions in the Northwest are complex and changeable. Long-distance driving is not only tiring but also easy to miss the scenery outside the window, which can affect your travel experience. It is not recommended for beginners to try it recklessly. ---- ⚠️⚠️⚠️ For the Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop, the trip usually takes 6 or 7 days. Check the weather forecast before departure, mainly to watch out for snowy days. Drivers, remember to bring snow chains. -------------------- 🌈 Qinghai-Gansu 7-Day Winter Edition: D1 Xining_Sun and Moon Mountain_Qinghai Lake_Chaka Town (overnight); D2 Chaka Salt Lake_Feicui Lake/Chaerhan Salt Lake_Dachaidan; D3 Popular 315 National Highway_Water Yardang_Nan Baxian Yardang_Dachaidan; D4 Heidu Mountain_Silk Road Heritage City_Dunhuang D5 Mogao Caves_Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring_Dunhuang; D6 Son of the Earth_Jiayuguan Great Wall_Zhangye Danxia; D7 Biandukou_Qilian Grassland_View Snow Peaks from afar_Xining. ------------ 🌈 Qinghai-Gansu 6-Day Popular Edition: D1 Xining_Qinghai Lake_Chaka Salt Lake_Delinha; D2 Most Beautiful 315 Highway_Water Yardang_Nan Baxian Yardang_Dachaidan; D3 Feicui Lake_Oil Town_Silk Road Heritage City_Dunhuang D4 Mogao Caves_Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring_Dunhuang; D5 Son of the Earth_Jiayuguan Great Wall_Zhangye Danxia; D6 Biandukou_Qilian Grassland_View Snow Peaks from afar_Xining -------------- Tips: Winter in Qinghai-Gansu means fewer people and beautiful scenery, no need to rush for accommodation, and no strangers in your photos. Such pure-play small group tours are truly rare and precious! 🚗🚗🚗 About routes and small groups ✔️ It’s recommended to take the Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop for a comprehensive experience with reasonable costs. ✔️ If you want a more relaxed itinerary, consider the Hexi Corridor single route without Qinghai. ✔️ Winter has fewer people and cars, so be sure to find a local, reputable travel agency to avoid being stood up or having the group fail to form. --------------------