Trip Overview
When: Late June 2021 (best weather for this route)
Duration: 7 days
Travelers: Group of friends (recent graduates)
Budget: ~3,000 RMB (~$430 USD) per person
Transportation: Self-drive with private driver arranged by travel agency
Essential Foreigner Info
Getting There: Fly into Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport (兰州中川机场). Most travelers arrange airport pickup with their hotel—a smart move since public transport to the city is limited.
Money Matters: Most hotels and restaurants accept mobile payment (Alipay/WeChat Pay), but bring some cash for small vendors and tips. The 3,000 RMB budget covers everything including internal transport.
Language: Mandarin is spoken everywhere. In tourist areas, some staff speak basic English, but having your hotel or driver help with arrangements is recommended.
High Altitude Reality Check: This route reaches elevations above 3,000 meters. Altitude sickness is real—take it easy the first day, stay hydrated, and consider bringing oxygen cans (available everywhere in Qinghai).
Road Trip Logistics: The Gansu-Qinghai loop is best done with a driver. Roads are good but long (8+ hours some days). Having a local driver who knows the route is invaluable.
Day 1: Arrival in Lanzhou (兰州)
We landed at Lanzhou Airport in late June, expecting summer heat—only to step off the plane into a surprisingly chilly evening. Don't make our mistake: pack a jacket, even in June!
After landing, we headed to our pre-booked hotel (with airport pickup—highly recommended for convenience). We ordered takeout and rested up. Pro tip: book hotels with shuttle service when flying in late; it solves so many headaches.
Day 2: Ta'er Monastery (塔尔寺) - Lajishan (拉脊山) - Qinghai Lake (青海湖) - Chaka Town (茶卡镇)
The real adventure started at 7 AM sharp when we met our driver at the hotel. First stop: Ta'er Monastery (塔尔寺), a massive Buddhist complex that's one of the most important temples in the region.
Ta'er Monastery (塔尔寺) isn't just one temple—it's an entire complex of halls and courtyards. The incense burns thick as pilgrims perform their "full body prostrations" (跪长头) on the wooden floors worn smooth by centuries of devotion. Even without deep religious faith, the dedication of these worshippers is humbling to witness.
On the way up Lajishan (拉脊山), our driver suggested we buy oxygen cans. Being overconfident hikers (we'd climbed Mount Tai previously), we dismissed the warning. Big mistake—while driving up, I started feeling sluggish and short of breath. The altitude hits you harder than expected!
Reality check: Listen to your body. We took a 30-minute break in the car while our friends explored—sometimes you just need to rest.
By early afternoon, we reached Qinghai Lake (青海湖), the largest lake in China. The scenery is endless—ride the tourist bus around and it feels like the horizon goes on forever.紫外线的伤害 (UV damage) is no joke here. Sunscreen and sunglasses are mandatory, or you'll regret it.
That evening, we drove to Chaka Town (茶卡镇) for the night. As dusk fell, the sky turned deep blue on both sides of the road, with dark clouds and mountains pressing in from ahead. We drove in comfortable silence, watching the vastness of the land unfold before us.
Day 3: Chaka Salt Lake (茶卡盐湖) - Emerald Lake (翡翠湖) - Da Qaidan (大柴旦)
Chaka Salt Lake (茶卡盐湖) was the highlight of the trip. For southerners who've never seen snow, this place is magical—a vast white expanse that sparkles like diamonds under the sun.
The white is blinding—bring sunglasses or you'll be squinting all day. Even in late June, temperatures hover around 17-18°C. You can wear a cute dress for photos, but bring a long cardigan or shawl.
Pro tip: Girls, this is your photo op moment—dress up and bring all the accessories!
We spent most of the day here, taking photos, dipping our feet in the salt water, and just relaxing. There's no rush when the scenery is this beautiful.
Next up: Emerald Lake (翡翠湖). At first glance, you might be disappointed—it looks like a collection of small puddles rather than a dramatic lake. But once you see the photos, you'll understand why it's worth the stop.
The blue skies and emerald-green lakes create the perfect backdrop for photos. It's no wonder this spot is a favorite for tour groups and their selfie sticks!
Day 4: Da Qaidan (大柴旦) - Dangjin Mountain (当金山) - Aksay Oil Town (阿克塞石油小镇) - Yangguan (阳关)
Day four was mostly on the road—we were heading to Dunhuang (敦煌)! The drive was long but scenic.
On the way, we stopped at Aksay Oil Town (阿克塞石油小镇), an abandoned oil city that's become an unlikely tourist attraction. It was drizzling when we arrived, giving the place an eerie, ghost-town vibe. The guys had fun exploring the "abandoned buildings," while the girls... weren't as enthusiastic about the spooky atmosphere.
Entering Yangguan (阳关) means you've officially entered the Gobi Desert region. Green vegetation gives way to yellow clay walls and sandy landscapes. Inside the scenic area, we ran into a group of middle-aged women who asked us to take their photos—because apparently, we looked like we knew what we were doing.
Senior alert: There's some walking involved at Yangguan. Wear comfortable shoes.
Warning: The souvenir shops here sell "specialty" items. We bought a set of tea cups as gifts for our parents—only to discover at home that the cups were glued together from broken pieces. Lesson learned: be careful buying souvenirs at tourist sites!
Day 5: Mogao Caves (莫高窟) - Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring (鸣沙山月牙泉) - Dunhuang Night Market
The Mogao Caves (莫高窟) are a must-see. The tourist service here is excellent—divided into indoor and outdoor sections. Indoor visits are guided in small groups with a professional讲解员 (tour guide), who selects which caves to visit based on crowd levels. This prevents overcrowding while ensuring you see the best highlights.
Each cave is unique—different Buddha statues, wall paintings, and architectural designs, each with its own spiritual meaning.
Outdoor exploration is self-guided. You can walk along the elevated boardwalks (which get crowded) or take the lower road by the highway (much easier). Small convenience stores are scattered throughout—bring plenty of water!
Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring (鸣沙山月牙泉) are right next to each other. Our driver told us that artificial measures are now needed to maintain the spring's water level—nature is losing the battle against the desert.
The sand sliding (滑沙) here is incredibly fun. Pro tip: Listen to the instructors—they know what they're doing. For those afraid of heights, the slope might feel steeper than it looks!
Climbing the sand dunes is hard work—each step sinks into the sand. But the view from the top makes it worth every struggle. Looking down, the slope appears even steeper than when you were sliding down.
We planned to wait for sunset and go deeper into the desert in a 4x4, but the girls wanted to play in the sand instead. After much debate, hunger won out—we gave up on the sunset trip. Sometimes the best plans don't survive reality!
That night in Dunhuang (敦煌), we had our best meal of the entire trip and explored the night market. At 8 PM, the sky still hadn't fully darkened. Welcome to the northwest, where summer days are long and nightlife starts late!
Day 6: Hami Melons in Guazhou (瓜州) - Jiayuguan (嘉峪关) - Rainbow Mountains (七彩丹霞)
On the way to Jiayuguan, our driver mentioned that Guazhou (瓜州) is famous for its incredibly sweet Hami melons. True to his word, he pulled over at a fruit market where we bought refreshing watermelons and Hami melons—a perfect mid-trip treat!
Arriving at Jiayuguan Fort (嘉峪关), it's hard to imagine the battles and grandeur this place once witnessed. For visitors unfamiliar with the history, it's tough to feel the significance—you have to actively explore the stories behind the walls to truly appreciate this iconic fortress.
Rainbow Mountains (七彩丹霞)—the name alone is intriguing. The scenic area loves giving creative names to the oddly-shaped mountain peaks. Every viewing platform has a description board saying "Oh? Is that what it looks like?"—adding an element of fun to the experience.
There's also a hot air balloon option here. We didn't ride it, but if you're there at sunset, it must be spectacular.
Day 7: Bianzu Pass (扁都口) - Qilian Grassland (祁连草原) - Daban Mountain (达坂山) - Return Trip
Day seven was essentially the return journey back to Lanzhou for our flight home. But the scenic drive made it feel like a bonus day rather than just transit.
The Qilian Grassland (祁连草原) was the most anticipated stop—we brought our graduation gowns all the way from across China just for photos in front of this magnificent grassland. We asked our driver to take our photos, and even though we couldn't physically enter the grassland itself, the sweeping views made it more than worth it.
Unfortunately, the rapeseed flowers in Menyuan (门源) hadn't bloomed yet (they bloom later in July), so we missed that spectacular sight. But graduation photos in a golden rapeseed field would have been amazing too!
The return drive was relaxing—we snacked on treats we'd bought along the way and chatted with our driver. The journey came full circle back to Lanzhou.
Final Thoughts
The itinerary balanced major attractions with hidden gems perfectly. The popular spots were indeed crowded, but each had its unique character. As graduates heading to different cities, we savored every moment together—this trip was the perfect ending to our student chapter.
Essential Tips
1. Sunscreen is non-negotiable—hat and SPF 50+ are must-haves.
2. Sunglasses are essential; the northwest sun is intense.
3. Even in late June, pack long pants and jackets—temperatures drop at night, especially in Qinghai. Girls can buy beautiful long shawls beforehand; boys, bring extra jackets because your girlfriend will steal them!
4. A neck pillow is essential for long car rides.
5. Bring snacks—you don't want to go hungry between meals.
6. Buy a case of water for the car—you won't need to keep buying expensive bottled water at attractions. Note: water in the car gets warm, not cold.
7. Oxygen cans are crucial for combating altitude sickness—better safe than sorry.
8. Book hotels with airport shuttle service; most hotels near Lanzhou Airport offer this. Communicate your arrival time in advance.