Northwest Loop Road Trip

‍♂️【8-Day Detailed Itinerary + Photography Guide】💯

Day1️⃣: First Impressions of Lanzhou
🚙Route: Baoji → Lanzhou
Must-visit spots for first-timers: Zhongshan Bridge & Mother Yellow River Sculpture
📍Accommodation: Super 8 Hotel (Lanzhou Dongfanghong Metro Station Branch)
👉126 Tianshui South Road, right by the subway! Ultra-convenient transport🚇
💡Tip: Dinner recommendation - Xinyazhai Ma Family BBQ; Breakfast - Niuhadun Beef Noodles🍜

Day2️⃣: Qinghai Lake's Stunning Cliff
🚗Route: Lanzhou → Qinghai Lake Shengquan Bay (Cliff)
🌊Accommodation: Wulan Anxin Inn
✨Photography spot: The cliff at Shengquan Bay is breathtaking! Red dress + straw hat = fairy vibes🧚♀️
⏰Best time: 6-7 PM during golden hour

Day3️⃣: Bolivia-style Sky Mirror
🚗Route: Wulan → Chaka Salt Lake - Chaka Sky No.1 Scenic Area
💎Accommodation: Golmud Huameishi Hotel
📸Photo tips: Salt lake reflections are magical! Rent red shoe covers + bring wet wipes (essential for cleaning feet)🦶
🚫Avoid: The sightseeing train is overpriced. Never go barefoot - salt crystals hurt!

Day4️⃣: Wilderness Wonders Day Trip
🚗Route: Golmud → Qarhan Salt Lake → U-shaped Highway → Water Yadan Geological Park
🏨Accommodation: Haixi Cuihu Inn
⚠️Safety: Quick photos on U-shaped Highway! Watch for trucks🚛
🎬Pro tips: Light-colored dresses for lake shots, Water Yadan needs no filter (check Douyin tutorials), U-shaped Highway shots need wide-angle lens
🚫Avoid: Skip the Water Yadan shuttle - main spots are within first 2 stops. Sunscreen is crucial!

Day5️⃣: God's Color Palette
💎Route: Dachaidan → Emerald Lake → Dunhuang (Singing Sand Dunes & Crescent Spring)
💫Highlights:
1. Emerald Lake looks like spilled gemstones! Drone shots are divine✈️
2. Sunset at Singing Sand Dunes + stargazing concert
🏨Accommodation: Dunhuang Liangqi Mountain Courtyard
🌄Golden hour: Enter after 6 PM for sunset
⚠️⚠️⚠️Book Mogao Grottoes tickets 1 month in advance
🚫Avoid: Emergency tickets for Mogao Grottoes

Day6️⃣: Desert Sunset Feast
🐫Activities: Flying Apsaras photoshoot + landmark sculptures
🚙Route: Dunhuang → Guazhou → Jiuquan
📍Photo ops: Singing Sand Dunes, Gobi Ark, Emperor Wu Sculpture + Land Baby (Hanfu recommended!)
🌄Best moment: Morning Flying Apsaras shoot - cool & magical! Scenery gets better en route
🏨Accommodation: Jiuquan Tongheshun Hotel

Day7️⃣: Rainbow Mountains Adventure
🚙Route: Jiuquan → Zhangye → Qilian Mountains Grassland
🌈Attractions: Zhangye Danxia Landform → Qilian Grassland
🏨Accommodation: Qilian Haoyu Hotel
👗Outfit tip: Light colors (white dresses) pop best!
🚫Avoid: Yurts in bad weather - freezing cold!

Day8️⃣: Flower Sea Farewell
🚙Route: Qilian Grassland → Menyuan Rapeseed Flowers → Dingxi
🌼Menyuan Flower Sea: July-only golden ocean!
💐Peak season: Mid-July to early August
🏠Accommodation: Hemei Urban Garden Hotel

Day9️⃣: Homeward Bound
🚙Route: Dingxi → Baoji

🔥【Top 5 Must-See Spots】
1️⃣Singing Sand Dunes & Crescent Spring: Desert oasis miracle🏜️
2️⃣Zhangye Danxia: Nature's oil painting🎨
3️⃣Chaka Salt Lake: China's sky mirror✨
4️⃣Water Yadan: World's only aquatic devil city🌊
5️⃣Qarhan Salt Lake: Purer than Chaka

💡【Pro Travel Tips】
🧥Packing: 15℃ daily swings! Pack jackets + dresses + tees + pants. Hiking shoes/sandals/boots
☀️Sun protection: High-altitude UV is brutal! Sun shirts, hats, masks, SPF50+ sunglasses
🚙Vehicle: 4WD preferred! Refuel at every station
✈️Drone: Extra batteries! Emerald Lake is drone heaven (120m max)
💊Med kit: Cold/Stomach meds, sun allergy cream for sensitive skin
⚠️Altitude: Rest often, hydrate, consider oxygen cans

Self-drive