Explore the Great Northwest! The vibrant colors of the Northwest are a must-see in your lifetime

🚗 Optimized Itinerary by Segment Qinghai Section (D1-D4) D1 Xining-Qinghai Lake: Skip the Erlangjian Scenic Area and navigate directly to "Huanhu West Road" on the lake's western shore. More free viewpoints along the way offer stunning, crowd-free scenery (e.g., the "Cliff" photo spot). In July, stop by blooming rapeseed fields for photos. D2 Chaka Salt Lake-Dachaidan: Skip Chaka (over-commercialized + unstable water levels) and head to Dachaidan's Emerald Lake (free + drone views are breathtaking) or detour to Charhan Salt Lake (Instagrammable swings, glass boats). D3 U-shaped Highway: Note: Stopping is prohibited on Highway 315! Opt for the "Wave Road" section for safer photos or use a telephoto lens. Arrive at Watery Yadan by afternoon and prioritize the "Eye of Yadan" at Station 4 (accessible by desert ATV). Sunset reflections on the lake are magical. Gansu Section (D5-D8) D5 Dunhuang: Book Mogao Caves emergency tickets early. Ask about special caves (e.g., Cave 220) during tours. Visit Crescent Lake after 4 PM; haggle camel rides to ¥80/person (peak season: ¥100). D6 Jiayuguan-Zhangye: Briefly explore Jiayuguan Fortress, then focus on Rainbow Danxia (Sunset at Viewpoint 4 is best). Overcast? Opt for the in-depth tour (min. 3 people) to avoid crowds. D7 Qilian-Menyuan: Mid-July offers horseback riding (bargain to ¥150/hour). For rapeseed flower vistas, navigate to "Daban Mountain Viewpoint"—check bloom dates as the season is short. 📸 Must-Do Experiences Salt Lake Guide: Dachaidan Emerald Lake > Charhan > Dongtaijinaier: Emerald Lake shines even on cloudy days (unique yellow-green hues), Charhan is great for portraits (props galore), Dongtaijinaier has the bluest water but is weather-dependent. Skip Chaka: Low water levels recently diminish its "mirror" effect. Watery Yadan Upgrades: Try: Kayaking through Yadan formations (¥200/hour) or ATV adventures to the Eye of Yadan (¥300/vehicle). Heads-up: Bugs are rampant—bring repellent. No supplies onsite; pack snacks/water. Dunhuang Duo: Mogao Caves: Emergency tickets cover 4 key caves (e.g., Library Cave). Download the official app for audio guides. Singing Sand Dunes: Summit 1 hour before sunset. Bring your own sled (rentals: ¥20/ride). Overnight camping for stargazing. 💡 Pro Tips Budget Control: ¥6,000/person for 7 days covers: - Transport: SUV rental (~¥800/day + ¥2,000 fuel/tolls). - Lodging: Off-season glamping at Dachaidan (¥300/night), Dunhuang homestays (¥150/night). - Tickets: ~¥1,500 total (Watery Yadan ¥120, Mogao ¥238). Save by: Carpooling and packing meals. Traffic Warnings: U-shaped Highway: Speed cameras + drone surveillance—no stopping! Shoot from roadside slopes or safe Gobi spots. Dunhuang-Jiayuguan: Complex roads—watch speed limits (stick to 80km/h). Seasonal Highlights: July: Qinghai Lake rapeseed blooms (peak 7.10-20), Menyuan flowers sync. Try Dunhuang’s "Li Guang" apricots. Sept-Oct: Emerald Lake’s salt crystals dazzle. Qilian grasslands are ideal for horseback riding with fewer tourists.