Free Overview Guide

Gansu & Qinghai Danxia, Desert and Plateau Lakes Travel Guide

Lanzhou · Zhangye · Jiayuguan · Dunhuang · Dachaidan · Chaka · Qinghai Lake · Xining | 14 Days / 13 Nights

A clear, first-time-friendly nature route connecting northwest China Danxia landforms, Gobi desert scenery, sand dunes, Yardang landforms, salt lakes and plateau lake views.

View route preview Planning tips

Overview

Trip at a Glance

This free version gives the route structure and main planning logic. It intentionally keeps timing, hotels, restaurants and ticket choices broad so you can first judge whether the route fits your travel style.

DURATION

14 days / 13 nights

TRANSPORT

High-speed rail, taxis, scenic shuttles, hired cars and long-distance road transfers

BEST FOR

International nature travelers, photographers, geology lovers, couples, small groups and families comfortable with long drives

ROUTE STYLE

Ink Danxia + rainbow Danxia + Gobi desert + Mogao/Yardang + salt lakes + Qinghai Lake

Route Highlights

Nature moments along the route

Lanzhou Ink Danxia Scenic Area

Zhangye Bell and Drum Tower

Mogao Caves at Sunset in Dunhuang

Dunhuang Cave Statues and Cultural Relic Exhibition

Qinghai Lake

Summer Train on Chaka Salt Lake

Overall Itinerary

14-day route structure

Day 1-2

Arrive in Lanzhou -> Lanzhou Ink Danxia + Yellow River scenic belt

Recommended area: Lanzhou

Food / transfer style: Beef noodles, night-market snacks · taxi / half-day hired car

Day 3-5

Lanzhou -> Zhangye -> Colorful Danxia / Binggou or Pingshan Lake -> Jiayuguan

Recommended area: Zhangye / Jiayuguan

Food / transfer style: Zhangye noodles, lamb and local dishes · high-speed rail + hired car

Day 6-8

Jiayuguan -> Dunhuang -> Mingsha Mountain, Mogao Caves and Yardang / Yumen Pass direction

Recommended area: Dunhuang

Food / transfer style: Donkey meat yellow noodles, apricot drink, lamb · train/private car + taxi/day tour

Day 9-12

Dunhuang -> Dachaidan -> Emerald Lake -> Chaka Salt Lake -> Qinghai Lake

Recommended area: Dachaidan / Chaka / Qinghai Lake or Xining

Food / transfer style: Yak beef, noodles, Qinghai yogurt · hired car and long road transfers

Day 13-14

Qinghai Lake -> Xining with optional Kanbula -> depart from Xining

Recommended area: Xining

Food / transfer style: Final Qinghai meal · keep departure day light and safe

Free-version planning rule: use this as a route preview. Reconfirm exact trains, scenic tickets, Mogao Caves reservations, hired-car prices, weather, hotel passport check-in and remote-area road conditions before making final bookings.

Travel Tips

Before you start

Keep these points in mind before you start the route.

Payment & cash

Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before arrival and carry RMB cash backup for drivers, small restaurants and remote towns.

Long-distance transport

Use high-speed rail for major city transfers and book licensed hired cars for remote sections from Dunhuang toward Qinghai.

Weather & gear

Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, hat, wind jacket, water bottle and comfortable walking shoes for dry sun and wind.

Mogao Caves

Reserve Mogao Caves early. Follow the official visiting sequence and conservation rules; do not rely on same-day tickets in peak season.

Salt lakes & plateau

Chaka, Dachaidan and Qinghai Lake depend strongly on weather, wind and light. Manage expectations for reflections.

Hotel check-in

In Dachaidan, Chaka and Qinghai Lake areas, confirm before payment that the hotel can check in foreign guests with passports.

Find out more in the Full Guide

Upgrade from route preview to booking-ready planning.

Time-by-time itinerary and day-by-day decision points
Detailed transport choices, hired-car notes and backup plans
Scenic-area route logic for Danxia, desert, Yardang, salt lakes and Qinghai Lake
Accommodation recommendations by area, season and foreign-passport reliability
Food and restaurant recommendations with northwest specialty guidance
Booking, payment, passport check-in, weather and remote-road reminders

Route & Price Note: This is an independently produced free overview route for international visitors. Scenic tickets, opening hours, transport schedules, prices, weather conditions, hired-car availability and hotel foreign-passport acceptance may change and should be reconfirmed before travel.