Zhangye Danxia Temporary Closure Guide for Qinghai and Gansu

Dear travelers: To fully implement the requirements of the cultural and tourism industry’s "Strengthening Foundation and Renewal" initiative, improve the scenic area's infrastructure, enhance operational support capabilities, eliminate tourism safety hazards, and enhance visitors' experience, as well as to support the construction of core tourist destinations, it has been decided to temporarily close the Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park for infrastructure upgrades. The relevant matters are hereby announced as follows: 1. Closure Period Starting from December 1, 2025, Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park will be temporarily closed to the public, and all tourism reception services will be suspended during the closure. 2. Reopening Date The park will reopen on December 27, 2025. For inquiries during the closure, please call the park information hotline at 0936-5623666. 3. Friendly Reminders (1) During the temporary closure and renovation, we kindly ask all visitors and travel agencies to reasonably adjust their routes and plan their trips to avoid inconvenience. Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience caused. (2) During the closure, the park will fully promote various works to create a higher-quality visiting environment. Thank you for your support, understanding, and care for Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park. This is an official announcement. Zhangye Danxia Scenic Area Management Co., Ltd. November 27, 2025 -------------------- -------------------- Here comes the 7-day slow travel guide departing from Xining! Check off the highland salt lakes, Danxia wonders, and Silk Road treasures, plus enjoy drone aerial photography, horseback riding and archery on the grasslands, take photos hugging lambs, upgrade to Moroccan tent camping with bonfire parties, and have a super fun adventure on the Heidu Mountain road. The whole trip is relaxed with no rush, perfect for friends and parents who won’t want to leave! -------------------- 🚗 Route Plan: DAY 1: ✈️ Arrive at Xining Airport, free airport pickup, check into a Xining hotel, rest briefly, then enjoy free time to experience the unique charm of Xining 🌆. DAY 2: Riyue Mountain -> Erlangjian Scenic Area at Qinghai Lake -> Chaka Salt Lake. Visit Riyue Mountain, check in at Erlangjian Scenic Area of Qinghai Lake, then capture beautiful photos of the "Mirror of the Sky" at Chaka Salt Lake 📸. DAY 3-4: Qaidam Basin -> Chaerhan Salt Lake -> Dacaidan Emerald Lake Scenic Area -> Lenghu Oilfield Site -> Heidu Mountain -> Dunhuang Silk Road Heritage City. Explore the Qaidam Basin, discover the magical colors of Chaerhan Salt Lake and Dacaidan Emerald Lake; pass through the Lenghu Oilfield Site, brave the Heidu Mountain road adventure, and finally experience the historical richness of Dunhuang Silk Road Heritage City 🛤️. DAY 5: Mogao Caves -> Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake. Visit the millennium-old artistic treasure Mogao Caves, then enjoy camel riding and sand sliding at Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake. At night, upgrade to luxury wild camping in Moroccan tents with bonfire parties and desert dance parties that will light up the night 🔥! DAY 6: Sons of the Earth -> Sculpture Unlimited -> Jiayuguan -> Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park. Visit Sons of the Earth and Sculpture Unlimited to feel the power of art; then head to Jiayuguan to admire the grandeur of the Great Wall; finally, enjoy the natural palette at Zhangye Danxia 🎨. DAY 7: Qilian Mountain Grassland -> Qinghai Menyuan Ten-Thousand-Mu Flower Sea -> Return. Horseback riding and archery on the Qilian Mountain grasslands, dress in ethnic costumes for travel photos, take intimate photos with lambs; then stroll through the vast flower sea in Menyuan, Qinghai, and finally return home with a heart full of memories 🌸🛫. -------------------- Must-visit Attractions: 🌄 Riyue Mountain: Stunning scenery that’s almost unfair! Lush grasslands and rolling mountains, prayer flags fluttering in the wind 🎐, an agricultural and pastoral area marking the boundary between monsoon and non-monsoon zones, located on the western edge of the Loess Plateau. The landscapes on the east and west sides are very different. Seniors passing by should remember to take photos at the mountainside 📸~ 🌊 Chaka Salt Lake: As pure as a fairy tale! Walking barefoot into the lake to play in the water is super healing 👣. A railway extends into the lake, and you can take a small train 🚂 deep inside to enjoy the scenery. The trip is easy with no danger or shopping stops, perfect for seniors! 💎 Chaerhan Salt Lake: Beautiful scenery! First visit the Salt Lake Museum 📚 to learn about the salt lake and salt mining, then admire the breathtaking salt flower crystals 🌸! Walk along the Wan Zhang Salt Bridge, with white salt crystals on both sides and clear greenish lake water 🌊. Perfect for sunny day photos, an easy and excellent choice for seniors! -------------------- 🌦️ Travel Preparation: Going to Xining in November? Make sure to pack these! 🧥 Clothing: Thick down jacket, warm sweaters, fleece-lined pants are essential. The highland cold wind is biting, so staying warm is key. 🧢 Accessories: Don’t forget scarves, gloves, hats, and also a sun hat because the highland UV rays are very strong. 💊 Medicine: Bring cold medicine, stomach medicine, and altitude sickness medicine to relieve any discomfort promptly. 🪪 Documents: Don’t forget your ID card, student ID, and other discount certificates to save on attraction tickets. 📷 Electronics: Prepare your camera, power bank, and chargers to capture beautiful scenes and share your travel joy anytime. -------------------- Quick, gather your old friends and set off together 👭👬! This Xining trip will definitely make our senior life more exciting! 🎉