Northwest Loop Travel Guide (5-8 Days)

✨ Planning a trip to the Northwest Loop between May and August? Sisters, take note! This guide is here to help you avoid pitfalls and make the most of your journey. Use it as a reference for your upcoming adventure! 🔺 Pre-trip reminders: Turn off water, electricity, and gas; secure doors and windows; take out the trash. 🔸 Essential documents: ID card, student ID 🔸 Sun protection: Sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses, etc. 🔸 Toiletries: Skincare products, shampoo, makeup remover 🔸 Electronics: Chargers, power banks, drone 🔸 Other items: Thermos, wet wipes, disposable underwear - 7-Day Northwest Loop Itinerary (Qinghai Lake, Dunhuang, Zhangye, and more): Day 1: Xining → Riyue Mountain → Qinghai Lake (Black Horse River) → Chaka Salt Lake (Overnight) Day 2: Chaka → Crossing the Qaidam Basin → Emerald Lake → Dachaidan (Overnight) Day 3: Dachaidan → U-shaped Highway → Dongtai Jinel Lake → Water Yadan → Dachaidan (Overnight) Day 4: Dachaidan → Heidushan → Oil Town → Dunhuang City (Overnight) Day 5: Dunhuang → Mogao Caves (Best to book tickets for around 9 AM) → Mingsha Mountain Crescent Lake → Shazhou Night Market → Dunhuang City (Overnight) Day 6: Dunhuang City → Passing Jiayuguan → Zhangye Rainbow Mountains → Zhangye (Overnight) Day 7: Zhangye → Biandukou → Qilian Mountain Grassland → Gangshika Snow Peak (Distant view) → Xining (End of trip) - Recommended Attractions ✅ 👉 Chaka Salt Lake: Known as the "Mirror of the Sky" 👉 Mogao Caves: Admire thousand-year-old murals and ancient culture 👉 Menyuan Rapeseed Flowers: Stunning fields of rapeseed flowers 👉 Qinghai Lake: A turquoise gem gifted by nature to the inland 👉 Emerald Lake: A jade-green lake resembling emeralds 👉 Qilian Grassland: Vast grasslands perfect for photography - 🏨 Northwest Accommodation Guide Xining (near the train station): Convenient transportation; stay in areas like Chengzhong District (near Ximen), Shuijing Lane, or Chengxi District (Wanda Golden Street). These areas have well-developed facilities and offer local delicacies. Dunhuang City: Plenty of options, including business hotels, guesthouses, and desert camping. Zhangye City: For sunrise views at the Rainbow Mountains, consider staying at a farmhouse near Linze Rainbow Mountains Scenic Area. Zhangye City also offers a variety of accommodations at reasonable prices. - 🍜 Food Recommendations Xining: Yixin Hand-Grasped Lamb (Yellow-braised lamb is more flavorful than plain lamb); Baohulu Sweet Fermented Milk Tea (Northwest's version of Tea Yanyue Se) Dunhuang: Jingyuan Ga Liu Lamb (White lamb ribs + Poplar Stewed Pancakes); Silu Apricot Tea (Ice milk with egg and fermented rice is amazing) Zhangye: Sun's Stir-Fried Pao (Braised meat + leek flower is a perfect match); Lao Zhou's Stir-Fried Bala (Iron plate lamb offal with flatbread) - ⚠ Lessons Learned 1⃣ Transportation: Avoid self-driving if you're inexperienced! U-shaped highways have many large trucks, and desert roads are prone to vehicle traps. Opt for local drivers with Qing B license plates for reliability. 2⃣ Ticket Tips: For Chaka Salt Lake, choose between "Mirror of the Sky" and "Sky No. 1" (recommend the older scenic area). Mogao Caves emergency tickets only allow access to 4 caves; book regular tickets during peak season! 3⃣ Outfit Guide: Qinghai segment: Layer a jacket over a T-shirt (day-night temperature difference of 15°C+). Desert segment: Wear high-top shoes to prevent sand and bring a red shawl (prepare in advance). 4⃣ Altitude Sickness: Areas like Delingha/Qilian County have altitudes of 2800+ meters. Avoid washing your hair the night you arrive. Portable oxygen cans are cheaper in Xining supermarkets than at scenic spots. - ⚠ Tips: If you've never been to the Northwest, self-driving is not recommended. The routes are complex, and bus tours often lack a good experience. Choose wisely!