Northwest Loop Scenic Spots Distribution Guide for 8 Days of Pure Fun

Traveling to the Northwest after May means no more off-season‼️ Sisters planning to visit the Northwest, make sure to prepare in advance! 💁‍♀️ Here's a well-organized 8-day, 7-night Northwest itinerary without detours—just copy and go! ✍ -- --⛅ Weather in Qinghai and Gansu 🔶 Average temperature in May: 7℃～21℃. The Qinghai-Gansu region starts warming up in May. Spring clothing is recommended, but bring a winter coat for early mornings and evenings. 🔶 Average temperature from June to August: 10℃～25℃. Combine spring and summer outfits, but due to the large temperature difference on the plateau, a thick coat is still necessary for mornings and evenings. -- ✅ Travel Essentials 🌷 Documents: ID card, student ID, or other discount cards 🌷 Electronics: Earphones, power bank, camera, etc. 🌷 Daily necessities: Toiletries, moisturizer, cosmetics, sunscreen, etc. 🌷 Clothing: The temperature is quite comfortable 🌞, but the temperature difference between day and night is significant, so bring a jacket 🧥. -- 8-Day Qinghai-Gansu Loop Itinerary Day 1: Start from Xining ---- Sun and Moon Mountain ---- Qinghai Lake (Heimahe) ---- Chaka Salt Lake (Overnight) Day 2: Chaka ---- Cross the Qaidam Basin ---- Emerald Lake ---- Dachaidan (Overnight) Day 3: Dachaidan ---- U-shaped Highway ---- Dongtai Jiner Lake ---- Water Yadan ---- Dachaidan (Overnight) Day 4: Dachaidan Emerald Lake ---- Route 66 ---- Oil Town ---- Silk Road Heritage City ---- Dunhuang City (Overnight) Day 5: Dunhuang ---- Mogao Caves (best to book tickets for around 9 AM) ---- Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring ---- Shazhou Night Market ---- Dunhuang City (Overnight) Day 6: Dunhuang City ---- Son of the Earth ---- Jiayuguan Pass (Overnight) Day 7: Jiayuguan ---- Rainbow Mountains ---- Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple ---- Zhangye (Overnight) Day 8: Zhangye ---- Qilian Grassland ---- Gangshika Snow Peak (distant view) ---- End in Xining -- 📸 Must-Visit Scenic Spots in Qinghai and Gansu: ✅ Qinghai Lake: The largest inland saltwater lake on the plateau in China, known as the "Blue Jewel of the Plateau." ✅ Chaka Salt Lake: Known as the "Mirror of the Sky." ✅ Water Yadan: The world's first water-based Yadan landform scenic area. ✅ Route 315: Desolate yet stunning, embodying solitude and freedom. ✅ Rainbow Mountains: Resembling a painter's palette, perfect for photo ops. ✅ Mogao Caves: A millennia-old artistic treasure, a must-see on a Northwest trip. ✅ Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring: Famous for its unique "mountain and spring coexistence, sand and water symbiosis" landscape, hailed as one of the "wonders of the frontier." ✅ Qilian Grassland: Fields of golden rapeseed flowers. ✅ Gangshika Snow Peak: The highest peak in the eastern section of the Qilian Mountains, located in Menyuan Hui Autonomous County, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai. -- 🌹 Travel Tips for Qinghai and Gansu ‼️ Tips: - Avoid strenuous activities! The high altitude here can easily cause altitude sickness. - Always bring sunglasses and a sun hat. The sunlight is blindingly bright! - Carry lip balm and hand cream with you! The outdoor air is extremely dry. - Download offline maps in advance, as signal loss is common. - Use rich moisturizers to prevent skin dryness and peeling. - Bring high-calorie snacks, glucose, and fruits to stay energized. - A U-shaped neck pillow is a must for long hours in the car! -- Tips: Avoiding Pitfalls ⚠ Mogao Caves Booking: A-category tickets are limited! Book on the official website in advance; tickets are hard to get during peak season. ⚠ Salt Lake Protection: Wash your feet immediately after walking barefoot in the salt lake to avoid skin irritation from salt crystals. ⚠ Car Rental: Choose a reputable travel agency and sign a contract to avoid unlicensed vehicles. ⚠ Food Precautions: While lamb and beef are delicious, don't overindulge! Bring digestive medicine to prevent stomach issues. --