Traveling in the Great Northwest

One month has passed since my return from the Great Northwest! I hope these details can help everyone. The Great Northwest Loop can be daunting for those who aren't prepared. This article will guide you on which attractions on the Qinghai-Gansu Loop are worth your time and which to skip. My trip to the northwest has been incredibly enriching, and I've gained so much from a single journey! 1. Start your journey in Xining instead of Lanzhou to reduce travel distance (approximately 300-400 kilometers less for Lanzhou departures). 2. Opt for Hoh Xil over Erlangjian for Qinghai Lake. Erlangjian is costly and crowded, and you'll also need to take a ferry, adding extra expense. The scenery is merely average. 3. Avoid visiting Teahouse Salt Lake on days with poor weather; you'll likely see only a pond. If possible, visit the "Heavenly Mirror" instead of "Sky No. 1." Don't forget to bring shoe covers. 4. Highly recommend Dongtaiji Nair Lake for a touch of Difeng Blue and a unique romantic experience. It's stunning even on bad weather days. 5. Skip the scenic area shuttle bus at Dacai Dan Emerald Lake. You can walk there in about ten minutes, and the fewer people, the better. 6. but never stop in the middle of the road. It may look dangerous, but it's not safe due to large trucks. Take photos from the roadside instead. 7. Avoid ATVs or camels at the Water Desert. It's expansive, and the guide will rush you back, worried you'll forget the time and miss out on the fun. There are many mosquitoes in the evening. 8. Not recommended to visit Jiayuguan; just take photos from a distance. It's not cost-effective. You can capture photos at the "Son of the Earth" and "Boundless" instead. 9. The Mogao Caves tickets include the B ticket, but some do not. To see four more caves, follow the Mogao Caves on WeChat Mini Program, enter your information, and make an advance reservation. A student ID is helpful. 10. Visit Mingsha Shan in the afternoon and go barefoot. It's very comfortable. Always carry plenty of water. Don't miss the sunset at the Crescent Spring. 11. Choose between hotel and camping. Adults often want both! Do activities first, then check into the hotel. The campsite has a bus to take you back. (Camping tents have public toilets, no bathing facilities, and importantly, your phone can't be charged.) 12. Eat less on the road and keep a sense of hunger. It might help you lose weight. Don't ask me why; there are many dry toilets (integrated with nature) on the road. This trip was very enjoyable, especially the team leader, who was very caring and humorous. Our group of six had a great time chatting and laughing, and the journey was long, but we didn't feel tired at all. When traveling, you still need to meet people on the same frequency. I was very lucky this time. The northwest is very beautiful. I want to go again next time!