Zhuo'er Mountain

After the Qilian Mountains and Zhuoer Mountain, we return from the Hexi Corridor to the Qinghai Plateau and reach the starting point. On the way, we drove deep into the Qilian Mountains for 40 kilometers, where the barley was fully ripe and the earth looked like an interwoven painting. Near the viewing platform of Zhuoer Mountain, there is a place where local Hui people charge for horse riding. The price for horse riding up the mountain is 80 yuan per person, which can be bargained. There is an old man in the pasture who came to our car and asked us with sincere eyes if we wanted to ride a horse. Because of the rush of time, we didn't go in, we just took some photos nearby. If I come again next time, I should go to the front of Zhuoer Mountain and take a good look at this beautiful 'Eastern Switzerland'. Down the mountain, near noon, we stopped at the middle of Ladong River Bridge and saw an old Hui man feeding cattle. So we tentatively asked if we could have some boiling water for instant noodles. As a result, the old man warmly invited us into his sunny courtyard for instant noodles. Lunch was in the courtyard with the old man, his wife, his son, and his granddaughter who came back from university in Xinjiang. It was a wonderful feeling. The people we met along the way in Qinghai were really simple and kind. Well, goodbye to the Qinghai-Gansu trip! Zhuoer Mountain

Measure the world with your feet Record the scenery with your eyes Keep the memories in the photo album Known as the 'Swiss of China', the Zhuo'er Mountain Scenic Area is located on the north bank of the Babao River in Qilian County, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, facing the sacred Tibetan mountain Amne Machin (Niu Xin Shan) across the river. Zhuo'er Mountain is characterized by Danxia landform, with its bare red sandstone mountains contrasting beautifully with the lush green grasslands. Very beautiful👍

| A must-visit! The 'Little Switzerland' lives up to its name! I used to think that grasslands should be flat and boundless, until I saw the vast Qilian grasslands. The distant mountain ranges and the undulating grasslands nearby create a unique geographical scenery. Fields of golden rapeseed flowers🌼, stacks of snowy white sheep🐏, add different colors to the grassland. The place where you can see this beautiful scenery is Qilian Zhuoer Mountain⛰️. Scenic Area Introduction The entire Qilian mountain range has many scenic spots, and Zhuoer Mountain is one of them. It is a natural landscape, known as the 'Oriental Little Switzerland'. Located between Xining and Zhangye cities, if you take the Qinghai-Gansu grand loop tour, you need to detour about 80 kilometers one way. The terrain is very diverse, with rapeseed and highland barley planted at the foot of the mountains, colorful Danxia landforms in the distance, and snow-capped mountains that stretch on. Enter the scenic area and first take a shuttle bus to the middle of the mountain, then climb the mountain on your own. The wooden plank road built along the way is easy to walk, and there is a beacon tower at the top of the mountain, where you can have a panoramic view! It takes about 2 hours to visit. Ticket Price 80 yuan per person (including round-trip bus ticket, children who are admitted for free need to pay 20 yuan for the bus fare separately) Precautions The recommended visiting season is from June to August, other months the grass is withered and lacks the stunning effect. The daily climate changes greatly within the Qilian Mountains, please bring a coat and an umbrella. The difference between Zhuoer Mountain's A-line and B-line tickets is only the different entrances, the main viewing spots are the same, you can buy tickets in advance according to your itinerary. I drove there myself, and I also saw many sisters saying that only a few travel agencies have Zhuoer Mountain scenic spots when I was planning the trip. If you want to join a group tour and visit the scenic area, it is recommended to consult in advance. The altitude of Zhuoer Mountain is about 3000 meters, it is recommended to move slowly. I personally think the milk cakes are very delicious! The price is also cheaper compared to other scenic spots. There are souvenir shops, and places outside where you can get stamps, both adults and children can stamp beautiful seals of various scenic spots in Qinghai.

Qinghai|Qilian|Zhuoer Mountain|A sacred mountain that stands for love. Zhuoer Mountain, known in Tibetan as 'Zongmu Mayuma', meaning 'beautiful rosy queen', is a branch of the Qilian Mountains, located in Babao Town, Qilian County, Qinghai. Zhuoer Mountain and Niu Xin Mountain face each other across the river, like lovers waiting... The red sandstone Danxia landform is covered by beautifully undulating forests, farmland, and grasslands, with the Babao River winding through it, white clouds, and blue sky... It is truly a fairyland on earth. Legend It is said that Zongmu Mayuma was originally a dragon princess. Because she and the mountain god Ami Dongsu fell in love, they angered the heavens and were turned into two mountain peaks. These are Zhuoer Mountain and Niu Xin Mountain. From then on, the two looked at each other across the river, but could never embrace each other. Scenery The beauty of Zhuoer is in the mountains, but not just in the mountains. Long white clouds, clear blue sky, vast grasslands, endless snow mountains, cattle and sheep on the road, blooming mountain flowers, the visual sense is not inferior to Switzerland. Between breaths, there is a full fragrance of wild grass. In June, a large area of rapeseed flowers gives a sense of oil painting, with red, yellow and green alternating. In autumn, the mountain peaks are covered with snow, and the forests are all dyed, another kind of poetic beauty. Zhuoer Mountain and Niu Xin Mountain, looking at each other in a vast and sacred way, often hang a lucky rainbow. Zhuoer Mountain Scenic Area The developed part has a maximum altitude of 3100 meters. *Two viewing platforms: White Pagoda Viewing Platform + Beacon Tower, you can see Niu Xin Mountain, overlooking the surrounding snow mountains, grasslands, river valleys, rapeseed fields, Qilian County. Looking far away, the skyline outlined by the Qilian Mountains. The main viewing platform is the White Pagoda, with a golden top and colorful walls, and the Beacon Tower is higher. Arou Temple Quiet and peaceful. It is a Gelugpa monastery of Tibetan Buddhism, built in the Ming Dynasty. The architectural features are both Tibetan and Han, and there is also a Mongolian yurt Buddha hall. Located in Arou Township, Qilian County, 21 kilometers southeast of Babao Town. After visiting Zhuoer Mountain, you can also go to see her other half, Niu Xin Mountain. Best travel season June-August when the rape flowers bloom; autumn, to see the beautiful autumn scenery of the mountains and grasslands and snow peaks. TIPS: The weather is changeable, with rain, snow, and clear skies. Pay attention to keeping warm, rain and snow protection for clothes, hats and shoes. ~Eat: Hand-grabbed mutton, roasted mutton skewers. Beef and mutton, noodles, barley wine, etc., there is Sichuan cuisine. ~Sun protection, moisturizing, UV protection.

Zhuo'er Mountain The Qilian Mountain range has many scenic areas, and Zhuo'er Mountain is one of them. It is a natural landscape, known as the 'Oriental Little Switzerland'. Located between Xining city and Zhangye city, if you are touring the Qinghai-Gansu loop, it requires a detour of about 80 kilometers one way. The terrain features are very rich, with rapeseed and highland barley planted at the foot of the mountains, colorful Danxia landforms in the distance, and continuous snow-capped mountains. To enter the scenic area, first take a shuttle bus to the middle of the mountain, then climb the mountain on your own. The wooden plank road built along the way is easy to walk, and there is a beacon tower at the top of the mountain, where you can have a panoramic view! 📍Detailed address: Qilian County, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, Binhe Road, Mala River Village 🎫Ticket: Off-season 30 per person💰Peak season 60 per person💰Additionally, the scenic area shuttle bus ticket is 20 per person Transportation strategy: It is recommended to drive by yourself🚗Navigate to 'Zhuo'er Mountain Scenic Area' ✈️Fly to Haibei Qilian Airport, about an hour's drive 🚄Take the high-speed train to Minle Station, about an hour and a half's drive Tour suggestions: 1⃣️The estimated time for touring the scenic area is about 2.5 hours. 2⃣️Take the scenic area shuttle bus from the ticket office to the second ticket check, get off and walk up the mountain 3⃣️The scenic area is divided into A and B routes, A route is towards Ladong Platform, and B route is towards Mala River. Remember to return by the same route you took up the mountain. 4⃣️There are landmark buildings in the scenic area: the Western Xia Beacon Tower, Tianjing Qilian Viewing Platform, and the National Harmony Pagoda. There are 3 viewing platforms, which allow for better and more convenient viewing of the scenic area. 5⃣️You may be quite tired after touring the entire scenic area, so everyone should proceed according to their own physical condition. 6⃣️There are also places to rest within the scenic area, so there is no need to worry too much during the tour. 7⃣️After the tour, take the scenic area shuttle bus back to the ticket office 8⃣️The best travel season is from June to August, when the mountains are covered with golden rapeseed flowers, super beautiful 9⃣️Friends who come now must dress warmly, it's really cold on the mountain

Northwest Ring Road|Zoer Mountain Depart from Xining at nine in the morning, have a pot meal in E'bao on the way, continue to move forward, and finally arrive at Zoer Mountain at two in the afternoon. If you want to see snow mountains, grasslands, and Danxia landforms, don't miss Zoer Mountain, where you can find the scenery you want. There are few tourists, the scenery is beautiful, and the snow mountain stands directly in front of you, which is very shocking.

In September, the Qilian Zhuoer Mountain Scenic Area is full of autumn, picturesque. Here, various landscapes such as snow mountains, forests, grasslands, wetlands, canyons, rivers, etc. are gathered, and it has the reputation of "Heavenly Qilian" and "Eastern Switzerland". At the foot of the mountain, rapeseed flowers, barley, forage, villages and nature blend together, like a natural scroll.

Day 3: Zhoe'r Mountain - Zhangye 🗺️ Itinerary: 📍 Behind Zhoe'r Mountain ⬇️ 📍 Binggou Forest Sea ⬇️ 📍 Zhangye City Having prepared a detailed travel guide, we were determined to avoid the crowded front mountain ticketed area of Zhoe'r Mountain for a better experience. We contacted the owner of a homestay at the foot of the mountain in advance, who arranged for us to visit the back of Zhoe'r Mountain. The fee for guidance was 100 yuan per vehicle, considering the winding and often muddy mountain roads, and since we didn't have an off-road vehicle, we gave up on finding our own way. The fee also included the cost of the parking lot at the foot of the mountain, which was okay. After parking, you can arrange to ride horses up the mountain with the herders. As the altitude increases, the colors in the view keep changing. Mature wheat is golden, unripe highland barley is dark green, podded rapeseed is yellow, and there are the distant Danxia landforms, with shades of brown, orange, and vermilion, dotted with dark green - the scenery is breathtaking! The back mountain is very suitable for flying drones, with the Danxia and colorful 'carpet' as a backdrop, it's easy to take a 'photo of a lifetime'. A magical morning, we rode horses, chased sheep, and even led cows. 🗺️ Bonus: Self-driving guide for the back mountain: The hidden gem behind Zhoe'r Mountain that you don't know is the heavenly pasture from 'Heidi and Her Grandfather', and also a secret paradise for rebellious travelers If you are an experienced driver with a capable off-road vehicle, you can consider finding your own way. Navigate to 🧭【Qilian Riverside Farmhouse】, turn right ➡️ and drive straight down a small road to the end. The back mountain has already built a visitor center, and it is estimated that it will soon become a ticketed area. Take the opportunity to visit it now while it's still not well-known 🫡 The Binggou Forest Sea, which took two hours to find, is also a paradise-like existence. The cold snow water flows down from the mountain top, and dead wood lies across the rocks. Locals were picnicking, and we were playing in the water. If it weren't for a sudden heavy rain, the kids would probably have played by the stream until dusk. We seriously overstayed our planned time, so Mati Temple had to be postponed to the next day. On the way, we encountered the Danxia landforms. Even under a mix of sun and clouds, the colors were still very vivid. What a lively spectacle it must be under the bright sun? 🗺️ Self-driving route review: Actually, we took a detour to Binggou Forest Sea, and after playing, we had to take even more detours from 🛣️302 Provincial Road to 🛣️227 National Road and then to 🛣️Zhangwen Expressway to Zhangye. I personally recommend the following route: Zhoe'r Mountain - Binggou Forest Sea - Erga Highway - 213 Provincial Road - Yeniugou Township - Sunan County - Zhangye This unconventional route, which traverses through the belly of the Qilian Mountains, promises even more enchanting scenery. If any friends go and try it out, remember to share!

Delicious food worth trying. How to play in northwest Qinghai for three days? Summarized food, transportation, and ticket prices. 🥘 Delicious food worth trying: 1. Hand-grabbed meat: Qinghai's beef and mutton are superb, without any mutton smell, very delicious, you must try it. The taste of the ones made by street-side restaurants is not bad either. 2. Kang pot lamb chops: Similar to dry pot cuisine, it contains vegetables, meat, noodles🍜, etc., and looks very appetizing. 3. Local hot pot: It's a bit like the old Beijing copper pot meat scraping, but the ingredients have more local characteristics, those who like hot pot should give it a try. 4. Old yogurt: A must-try snack, but the local herders' yogurt is a bit sour, you need to eat it with sugar, very authentic. - 🙃 Itinerary at a glance D1 Xining — Laji Mountain — Qinghai Lake — Chaka Salt Lake — Chaka Town D2 Chaka — Around the Lake West Road — Dadongshu Mountain Pass — Binggou Forest Sea — Qilian D3 Qilian Zhuo'er Mountain — Arou Temple — Qilian Grassland — Gangshika Snow Peak — Menyuan — Xining - 🎟️ Ticket prices: 1. Qinghai Lake Erlang Sword ticket: 90 yuan; 2. Chaka Salt Lake ticket: 60 yuan + shuttle bus 30 yuan; - ✅ Preparation work is important! ① Clothes: June-October: A thicker coat, long or short sleeves, one pair of long johns, bring a pair of comfortable and light shoes, you can bring a dress! Girls are advised to bring a red dress, it looks super good in photos! All seasons: A detachable fleece jacket is the best, windproof, warm, and waterproof; ② Sunglasses: The high-altitude UV rays are strong, and the sky-like Chaka Salt Lake is dazzlingly white; ③ Hat and scarf: To prevent wind and avoid catching a cold, as the wind can cause headaches; ④ Hydrating mask, lip balm: The climate is dry, really very very dry, to prevent skin and lips from cracking; ⑤ Sunscreen: Sunscreen to protect against tanning and sunburn; ⑥ Cooling oil: The high-altitude sun can be quite fearsome, especially when doing outdoor activities for a long time;

✨【Essential Guide to Qilian Journey】📍Location: Qilian County, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, China 🌈Best Travel Season: Summer and Autumn (July-August, enjoy the grassland feast; September-October, experience the colorful autumn scenery) 🛣️Travel Suggestions: Self-driving: Good road conditions, more freedom to explore. Public Transportation: Take long-distance buses from Xining or Zhangye to Qilian. 💰Ticket Budget: Zhuo'er Mountain Scenic Area: 80 RMB/person (includes admission and sightseeing car fees) Niu Xin Mountain: Free admission Qilian Mountain Grassland: No admission fee Attractions Highlights: - Zhuo'er Mountain: Picturesque 'Eastern Switzerland', a perfect combination of Danxia landform and grassland scenery. - Niu Xin Mountain: A symbol of Qilian, with perennial snow on the mountain top and pleasant grassland views. - Qilian Mountain Grassland: A top grassland in China, vast and broad, with numerous cattle and sheep. - Binggou Forest Sea: The primeval forest is lush and cool, a perfect retreat from the summer heat. - Arou Temple: A Gelug sect Buddhist temple, with uniquely charming architectural art. 🔧Travel Tips: - Consider the plateau environment to prevent altitude sickness. - Large temperature differences, please prepare warm clothing. - Respect local culture and remain polite. - Try authentic local foods, such as hand-grabbed mutton, yogurt, and highland barley cakes. - Plan tightly to fully enjoy the beautiful scenery. 📷Photography Tips: - Sunrise and sunset at Zhuo'er Mountain are a must for photographers. - Capture the elegance of Niu Xin Mountain with snow-capped mountains in the background. - Shoot a panoramic view of the Qilian grassland, a wide-angle lens is essential. 📷Food Recommendations: - Delicious mutton with a delicate taste, try the roasted mutton. - Fresh and fragrant yogurt, rich and tasty. - Highland barley cake, a crispy texture worth trying. 🍵Don't forget to taste the butter tea, warming for both heart and stomach. 🛌Accommodation Recommendations: - Qilian County Town offers a variety of accommodation options. - Around Zhuo'er Mountain Scenic Area, choose characteristic accommodations to enjoy a visual feast. 🎉This is a well-planned travel guide, may your trip to Qilian be filled with joy!

Holiday! The super long holiday of National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival is coming, why not pack up and set off! Many friends have consulted me about the Qinghai-Gansu big loop line, and I have organized some content about the Qinghai-Gansu big loop line self-driving that you must know, hurry up and like and collect it! 🔍About the Qinghai-Gansu loop line: The so-called big loop line is a self-driving route from Xining, Qinghai, all the way west to Dunhuang, then west to return to Gansu, along the Hexi Corridor and finally back to Xining. There are many scenic spots along the way, and the mainstream 5-day and 8-day routes on the Internet cannot perfectly cover all the scenic spots along the way. So in the choice of route, it depends on whether you focus on the scenery or culture. 🗓️Main scenic spot strategy: It's impossible to be meticulous, but there can be a focus. Combined with my own experience and online information, I have summarized a version of the recommended key scenic spots (with recommended reasons) ✔️Xining Ta'er Monastery: Gelugpa monastery, the master Tsongkhapa walked out from here, the red wall is very photogenic. ✔️Qinghai Lake: It is said that Tsangyang Gyatso died here, one of the highest lakes in the world. ✔️Chaka Salt Lake: The mirror of the sky, is one of the "55 places a person must go in his lifetime" selected by National Geographic magazine. ✔️Dachaidan Emerald Lake: Compared to the fame of Chaka Salt Lake, this place is relatively niche, especially suitable for aerial photography!!! ✔️Wuwei Leitai: The location of ancient Liangzhou, Gansu Wuwei, the famous horse stepping on the flying swallow is from the Leitai Han tomb here. ✔️Qilian Mountain: The part where Qinghai and Gansu meet, the Qilian Mountains have many birds and animals and beautiful scenery. ✔️Zhangye Colorful Danxia: God spilled the palette here, a typical representative of the Danxia landform. ✔️Jiayuguan: "The first strong pass in the world", many frontier poems are related to him, remember to take a photo with the popular Guanchang. ✔️Mingsha Mountain: Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring is a must-visit attraction in Dunhuang, climb the sand dunes to overlook the Crescent Spring, wait for the moon to come out, super artistic conception. ✔️Mogao Grottoes: The most famous grottoes, the cultural value is immeasurable. ⚠️Don't drive alone!!! Coming out of Xining, the Ta'er Temple to Dachaidan section will have mild altitude sickness, rest appropriately, eat something, there is no need to buy oxygen. 🚗About self-driving: The whole journey is either a highway or a national road. As long as you don't want to challenge those sections that have not been repaired, a general car is fine. There are many people traveling during the small long holiday, and there will be traffic jams, which cannot be avoided. 📸Photography suggestions: 1️⃣There are different features all the way, it is recommended to bring a few more lenses, 16-35, 70-200 are the minimum. 2️⃣Drones are banned in Jiayuguan, Mogao Grottoes, Ta'er Temple and other places, be sure to understand in advance. I am Gala, an amateur photographer who likes to go on a whim, but doesn't know how to press the shutter~ 🛻🛻🛻🛻🛻🛻🛻🛻🛻 🚙Transportation: Many routes are gathered from Xining, there are chartered tours, and there are travel groups. If you are self-driving, I suggest you can start from Lanzhou, stay for one more day, Lanzhou city is always easily overlooked. Like and follow to not get lost❤️

Qinghai Travel Guide 📌Chaka Salt Lake (Sky No.1) Chaka Salt Lake is divided into Sky No.1 and Mirror of the Sky scenic spots! 📌Zhuoer Mountain Climbing at high altitudes is really tiring! 📌Colorful Danxia What the human eye sees is absolutely the most real. You need to feel the Colorful Danxia scenic spot in the noisy crowd, the masterpiece of nature.