I galloped along the Han-Tang Ancient Road, wishing to travel back to the Silk Road…

📍 Yanzhi Mountain National Forest Park! Formerly known as "Yanzhi Mountain," named for its abundant red and blue flowers (ancient rouge ingredients), it is a historic site where Emperor Yang of Sui held the "World Expo" during his western tour, and it is the gentlest touch of green on the eastern foothills of the Qilian Mountains! Here: 🌲 There are pristine forests and alpine meadows at 2,900 meters elevation, 🐎 A thousand-year-old ancient trail you can horseback ride through, 🌸 Summer fields filled with rapeseed flowers and gesang flower seas, 🏔️ And a breathtaking panoramic view overlooking the entire Hexi Corridor. I just returned from Yanzhi Mountain, Highly recommend: this is a seriously underrated Silk Road secret spot, a natural oxygen bar, and a light outdoor paradise! 📍 Suggested itinerary: 1–2 days light vacation (suitable for couples/families/friends) ✅ Recommended route: Enter from the east gate → Zhongshan Temple → International Camping Base → Old Ski Resort Site → Summit Viewing Platform for panoramic views 🚗 You can drive directly to the park entrance; the mountain roads are smooth and easy for beginners. 📌 Accommodation suggestions: The park has an international camping base (tent/wooden cabin options) Star-rated hotels are available in Minle County or Shandan County at the mountain base, suitable for families. 🚆 How to get there? 🚗 Self-driving is highly recommended (scenic route) About 1.5 hours from Zhangye city | About 2.5 hours from Wuwei Search navigation: "Yanzhi Mountain National Forest Park" 🚄 High-speed rail option: Arrive at [Zhangye West Station] → Taxi or charter to the park (about 80 km, 1.5 hours) 📌 It’s recommended to contact your guesthouse or travel agency in advance for shuttle arrangements. 🎫 Ticket prices (reference): Adult ticket: 40 RMB/person Park shuttle bus (optional): 20 RMB/person (up and down mountain transfer) Half price for students/seniors, free for children under 1.2 meters 💡 Friendly reminder: Signal is weak inside the park; download offline maps in advance. 🌲 First stop: Yanzhi Mountain Entrance · The first glimpse of the "Green Island in the Frontier" 📸 Must-shoot spots: 1️⃣ Gate panorama + distant mountain background: Use wide-angle to show the wonder of "a lone mountain standing in the Gobi" 2️⃣ Entrance flower fields: Rapeseed flowers bloom in July–August, golden and green intertwined 3️⃣ "Yanzhi Mountain" stone tablet check-in: Caption it with "From here, enter a forgotten pure land." ✨ Features: Elevation 2,000–2,900 meters, forest coverage over 80% A rare "green island" in the arid Hexi Corridor 💬 Suggested narration: "On one side is desert and Gobi, on the other a sea of pine trees, Yanzhi Mountain seems like a resting place nature specially left for Silk Road travelers." 🏯 Second stop: Zhongshan Temple · A thousand-year-old ancient temple hidden deep in the mountains 🎫 Included in the main ticket 🌿 Features: Built in the Ming Dynasty, nestled against the mountain, serene and solemn Legend says it was built to commemorate Emperor Yang of Sui’s western tour, with incense burning continuously to this day 📷 Photo scenes: Ancient temple eaves framed with misty mountain valleys Fallen leaves on stone steps for a "Zen-style" shot Morning bell and evening drum moments capturing ethereal echoes (great for vlog sound effects) 📌 Tips: The temple is small but full of atmosphere Respect the religious site, avoid loud noises ⛺ Third stop: International Camping Base · Sleep under the stars and among the pines 🏕️ Location: Central park area, near the old ski resort site 🎉 Highlights: ✅ Tent rental & wooden cabin accommodation (fully equipped) ✅ Stargazing, bonfires, listening to pine waves and insect sounds at night ✅ On special weather nights, see the Milky Way stretch across the sky (minimal light pollution) 📸 Shooting inspiration: Long exposure star trails with lit tents as foreground Family gathered roasting marshmallows, warm and touching atmosphere Caption: "Tonight, the Earth seems to have stopped spinning." 📌 Friendly reminder: Mountain nights are cold, bring warm jackets or rent sleeping bags Open flames are prohibited; please follow campsite rules 🐎 Fourth stop: Yanzhi Ancient Trail · Horseback ride through Silk Road memories 🐎 Horse riding experience available (about 50–80 RMB/person/half hour) ✨ Features: Ancient passage for Xiongnu, Han armies, and merchants Still retains original dirt paths shaded by pine forests 📷 Must-shoot: Horseback riding slowly along forest trails, capture a "knight’s journey" vibe Look back at the camera: winding mountain roads and layered distant peaks behind Evening backlit silhouette: Caption "Walking this path, you can almost hear the camel bells." 📌 Safety tips: Beginners should choose gentle horses with a guide Wear long pants to prevent chafing, hats for sun protection 🌄 Fifth stop: Viewing Platform Peak · Hike to the summit for a panoramic view of Yanzhi 🚶 About 30 minutes hike to the top | Elevation about 2,900 meters 🔥 Highlights: ✅ Stand on the highest viewing platform with 360° mountain views ✅ On clear days, see Shandan Military Horse Ranch and Qilian Snow Peaks in the distance ✅ Spring and autumn often bring rolling sea of clouds, like a fairyland 📸 Photo scenes: Person standing on a giant summit rock with endless green waves behind Foggy day shots for a "person in the clouds" atmosphere Wait for a magnificent sunset and record the changing light with time-lapse 💡 Tip: It’s windy at the summit, dress warmly; phone signal is weak 🌸 Sixth stop: Alpine Flower Sea · Summer’s romantic explosion 📅 Best viewing period: Late June – Mid August 🌼 Features: Meadows at forest edges covered with gesang flowers, rapeseed, wild daisies Yellow, pink, purple, and white weave a natural oil painting 📷 Shooting tips: Wear white dresses or ethnic-style clothing for color contrast Use drones for aerial shots of flower seas (observe no-fly zones) Capture kids running and dogs playing lively moments 📌 Tips: Do not trample flowers, enjoy them respectfully Bring insect repellent! Mosquitoes are common in summer grass 🍽️ Gansu Food Guide · Flavors of the grasslands and Silk Road ✅ Recommended restaurants: [Shandan Old Flavor Restaurant] [Yanzhi Family Farmhouse] Must-try list: Shandan lamb wrapped in dough rolls: dough rolls wrapped with meat and stewed, fragrant aroma Stir-fried Bula (lamb offal + onions): locals’ favorite late-night snack Handmade fish-shaped noodles: chewy and smooth Fu tea milk tea: Northwest specialty, refreshing and warming 🎁 Souvenir recommendations: Yanzhi Mountain honey (wildflower honey) Red and blue flower powder (ancient rouge ingredient, creative packaging) Handmade wool felt accessories (made by herders) 📌 Super practical tips to help you avoid detours! ✅ Best season: June–September: pleasant climate, flowers in full bloom, perfect for summer escape Spring and autumn have large temperature differences between day and night, bring jackets Winter the mountain is closed or partially closed, not recommended to visit ✅ Clothing guide: Wear non-slip sports shoes! Mountain paths have loose stones and dirt trails Recommend quick-dry clothes + sun hat + sunglasses (strong UV at high altitude) Photo props: straw hat + ethnic shawl + vintage camera ✅ Photography tips: Use polarizing filters to reduce glare and highlight leaf translucency Use "framing" techniques: use branches, rocks, doorways as natural frames Video shots: slow push-ins on pine needles dripping dew, horse hooves on soil, falling petals ✅ Pitfall reminders: ❌ Do not pick wild plants casually (some are toxic or protected) ❌ No littering in the park, carry out every piece of trash ❌ Choose licensed operators for horse riding and sign safety agreements Yanzhi Mountain is quiet, It tells you with a mountain, a road, and a flower— The true faraway place is not at the edge of the map, but where the heart awakens. This summer, Stop crowding popular spots, Go to Yanzhi Mountain, Let your eyes live in green, Let your soul return to the starting point of the Silk Road. 📌 Follow me to discover the most overlooked treasure secret spots in Northwest China! 🔥