Back from the Qinghai-Gansu Loop｜Stunningly Beautiful Yet Exhausting

The beauty of the Great Northwest is truly breathtaking! And the fatigue from the journey is equally real! Each day felt like an intense hiking drill, more exhausting than military training... Waking up at 7 AM daily and returning to the hotel by 9 PM, covering 500-600 kilometers with 6-8 hours of driving each day. If you're tired of the daily grind, a trip to the Great Northwest might make you miss your routine. By the later stages of the trip, it was hard to muster the energy to appreciate the scenery, resorting to quick check-ins before moving on. Yet, every attraction had its unique charm, showcasing the diverse landscapes of our country and the cultural history of the Hexi Corridor. My personal favorites: 🏅 **Zhangye Danxia Landform** – Truly deserving of its National Geographic recommendation, magnificently breathtaking and grand! 🥈 **Chaka Salt Lake, Qarhan Salt Lake & Emerald Lake** – Like God spilled a palette of green apples🍏 and Tiffany blue. Unfortunately, Chaka Salt Lake was hit by a storm, so we missed the "Mirror of the Sky" effect, but Qarhan and Emerald Lake more than made up for it. 🥉 **Yardang National Geological Park & Crescent Moon Spring** – The large-scale water-eroded Yardang landforms are a must-see, while the oasis of Crescent Moon Spring in the desert offers a profound experience of solitude under the vast sky, desert sunsets, and lively nighttime gatherings. A pre-trip concern was the dreaded dry toilets, but luckily, we didn’t encounter any. Rest stops and scenic area restrooms were generally clean and adequate. In emergencies, our driver took us to gas station toilets🚾. Overall, it’s worth the trip—photos turn out amazing—but be mentally prepared! **Recommended Itinerary: 8-Day Qinghai-Gansu Tour** D1. Xining airport/train pickup (overnight) D2. Xining - Riyue Mountain (drive-by) - Qinghai Lake - Chaka Salt Lake - Chaka/Delingha (overnight) D3. Chaka/Delingha - Qarhan Salt Lake - Dachaidan (overnight) D4. Dachaidan - U-shaped Highway - Dongtaijinaier Lake (pass by) - Yardang National Geological Park - Nanbaxian Yardang - Dachaidan (overnight) D5. Dachaidan - Emerald Lake - Oil Town - Dunhuang (overnight) D6. Dunhuang - Mogao Caves - Crescent Moon Spring - Dunhuang (overnight) D7. Dunhuang - Guazhou - Jiayuguan Pass - Zhangye Danxia Landform - Zhangye (overnight) D8. Zhangye - Biandukou - Qilian Mountain Grasslands - Gangshika Snow Peak (distant view) - Menyuan (pass by rapeseed flower fields, blooming July-August) - Xining. *Text and images sourced online; please contact for removal if infringing.*