In this world, some people have fun that others will never understand, and travel is one of them. Some people say: Travel is like a disease. Once infected, not only will it not be cured, but it may be transmitted to people around you. So, for me, I hope that in my lifetime, I just want to go as far as possible, and go further. And travel, try to go out, you will find that the world is far from what you saw in the city where you were born for decades, you will see different people, different scenery, and different stories. It is very interesting that when you open it again, those times you thought you had forgotten will slip out from the tiny corners and take you back, so I want to record these times in words.
Traveling is a temporary escape from the trivial daily life, so this time, taking advantage of the public holiday, my wife and I "escaped" to the Northwest, and started a 9-day self-driving trip of more than 3,000 kilometers. Along the way, we experienced the sea in the Northwest , lakes, deserts, Gobi, snow mountains, grasslands, Danxia, Yadan, ancient cities, no-man's land. I felt the vast beauty and desolation of the Northwest. Because of my limited photography skills, I am very honored to invite our most famous local photographer Mr. Su (net name Vegetable Candy Club) to go with us. Since 2012, Mr. Su has often gone deep into the Western Sichuan Plateau, In Xinjiang, Qinghai and other western regions, his works mainly focus on natural scenery; his footprints have also gone deep into Southeast Asia and Europe, and he has photographed a large number of local natural scenery and cultural buildings. If you are interested in his portfolio, you can add his account: Vegetable Candy Club.
Our 9-day itinerary cost more than 4,000 yuan per capita. We departed from Chengdu by train to Xining, then rented a car from Xining, and finally returned to Chengdu by train from Xining. I took the standard Qinghai-Gansu Grand Ring Road and went to Hoh Xil on the wrong way. (Because I have been longing for this place) The following is a schematic diagram of the Qingan-Gansu Ring Road:
Save two days of back and forth, and the remaining 7 days are self-driving after renting a car on Yihi Car Rental. The car rental fee is about 200 per day, and the vehicle is a Volkswagen Sagitar. The Qingan-Gansu Ring Road is generally in peak season from June to August, so the price is reasonable. However, driving in the Northwest gives me the feeling that it is very broad and desolate. The road conditions are very good throughout the journey. Basically, there are asphalt roads and there are very few cars. Young friends who are going to Qinghai and Gansu must not choose to go with a group. It's good to drive by yourself, because there are scenery along the way. And this route is also very suitable for beginners to practice driving. After this 7-day circuit, my wife and I have made great progress in our driving skills. But for the attraction tickets, I think it is too expensive. The 2 of us spent about 2,000 on tickets all the way. Every time we went to a scenic spot, there were parking fees, tickets, and scenic spot sightseeing fares, not including various self-funded items.
The first day itinerary: Xining - Qinghai Lake - Chaka - Delingha
Generally speaking, the first day was quite tiring. We set off at 9:00 am and arrived at Delingha at 11:00 pm. We spent almost 3 hours in the two scenic spots, which shows the vastness of Qinghai. For Qinghai Lake, it can be said that it is a must-see scenic spot in Qinghai. Among them, the Erlang Sword scenic spot is the most famous. After I went this time, I felt that the food was tasteless and it was a pity to discard it. In the scenic area, apart from wanting to experience things such as boat riding and speedboat riding at sea, it is very disappointing for friends who want to take beautiful photos. There are boats everywhere on the sea, and it is impossible to take pictures of the vastness of Qinghai Lake. Later, when I went out, I found that there are many horse riding farms around. Not only are there beautiful rapeseed flowers, but also you can walk all the way to Qinghai Lake from there. Friends who want to go to Qinghai Lake to take beautiful photos can pay attention to it.
The second stop is Chaka Salt Lake, which is known as the realm of the sky. It’s still tickets and train fees. If you want to save money, you can walk in and take pictures all the way. The surface of Chaka Salt Lake reflects sunlight, like a tin roof. The day we went was too sunny, and the sky was too blue. A cloud floated in front of the sun, and the lake immediately changed from silver to gray. We stood on the lake, and the water lapped at our ankles as softly as a tongue licking our own lips. The sunset in Chaka is also shocking. Friends who want to go can stay in Chaka after the sunset is the best, so that you can fully experience the beauty of Chaka without feeling too tired, but because our itinerary is the second One day, I was going to Dongtai Nejier Lake and Yadan on the water, so I hurried on the road at night and went to Delingha to stay.
The following picture is provided by the photographer Vegetable Candy
The second day's itinerary: Delingha-Internet celebrity U-shaped highway-Dongtai Jinel Lake-Water Yadan-Golmud
There has been no signal on the way from Delingha to the U-shaped road of Internet celebrities. There is no signal and gas station until the front of Jinel Lake in Dongtai, so please guide the route in advance for the friends who are going to go. Full. The first scenic spot, the Internet celebrity highway, looks really good, but to take pictures to have the feeling it looks like, you need to use a telephoto lens. After all, there are many cars on the road, and the cars have to give way when they come. It is not safe to stay there to take pictures. Friends who love to take pictures, please pay attention to the big cars.
The following picture is provided by the photographer Vegetable Candy
Teacher Xiao Su walking on the road of Internet celebrity
Selfie on the internet celebrity road
The second stop came to Dongtai Nejir Lake, which is known as the East Maldives. This scenic spot is the only scenic spot in my impression that does not charge tickets but only charges parking fees. It has not been fully developed, but I think it is more beautiful than Chaka Salt Lake. The green lake water is covered with white crystalline lakes. An important salt lake in the Dam Basin. The color of Jinel Lake in Dongtai is different from that of Qinghai Lake and Chaka Salt Lake. Due to the high copper content, the lake water presents a bright green color. The beauty under the sunshine is indescribable. The same kind of beauty requires a certain level of photography to capture her beauty. I read on the Internet about the reason why Dongtai Naijier Lake has become red recently. It is said that the color of this lake was not green before, it was very ordinary. It became like this due to geological processes in recent years, so it is very likely that she can become very amazing. The same can be attributed to mediocrity, so friends who want to go should hurry up, go to see the beautiful scenery, chase after the people you like, and go to the distant places you want to go.
The emerald green water of Jinel Lake in Dongtai
The third stop is the Water Yardang not far in front of Nejier Lake in Dongtai. There are many Yardang landforms on land, but there are very few Yardangs on the water. It is the only Yardang landform on the water in the world. This place has not been over-developed yet, and there is still a veil of mystery here. Whether you are exploring the secrets or curious, when you walk into this place, you will definitely fall in love with her.
The following two pictures are provided by the photographer Vegetable Candy
Evening return road
Overlooking Yadan on the water
I originally planned to go to Naijier Lake in Xitai, but because of time constraints, I had to go back to Golmud along the road, so I didn’t go. It is said that it is a lake, and there is a road in the middle that divides it into two halves. It looks very beautiful. People who go there are more than Dongtai Lake Negel is even less. Arriving at Golmud at night is also close to 10 pm. Generally speaking, the schedule of the first two days is relatively rushed. Travel tips: If the route is not the same as ours, friends who need to detour to Hoh Xil can go to Lenghu Town in front of Naijier Lake in Xitai to stay, but you need to book a room in advance, because there is no accommodation in the annex except here, Lenghu About 7-8 kilometers in front of the town is Montenegro (the photo of Montenegro is also very shocking). You can go to Erboliang the next day, and then from Erboliang to Dunhuang. Let's take a detour like Hoh Xil. Erboliang is a part of Qaidam Yadan landform group, the largest Yadan landform group in China. Since no large-scale tourism development has been carried out at present, this magical area has maintained a relatively complete and original state. Walking into it, it is like arriving on Mars. It is known as the least earth-like place on earth.
The following six pictures are provided by the photographer Vegetable Candy
The road into Erboliang
Russian Boliang in the evening
Russian Boliang night
Black Mountain not far from Cold Lake
The third day itinerary: Golmud - Kunlun Mountain Pass - Hoh Xil - Golmud
There is a mysterious place in Hoh Xil on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is shrouded in mystery and does not need to be uncovered. There is the purest land and blue sky in the world, as well as inexplicable treasures and rivers. Some people say that Hoh Xil is a beautiful girl with a pure heart. It's spotless. Hoh Xil has always been a place I have longed for, and it is also the place I most want to go during this journey.
Departing from Golmud, the scenery along the way is beautiful. Although there are many large cars on the road, the road conditions are generally good. On the way, you will pass Kunlun Shenquan and the Kunlun Mountain Pass Monument. After passing this monument, you will enter the Kunlun Mountains. I used to think that Kunlun A mountain is a mountain, and you don't know it is a mountain range until you arrive. Afterwards, we will pass through the Wuji Dragon and Phoenix Palace, and finally arrive at the Yakou of Kunlun Mountain at an altitude of more than 4,000 meters (many friends will have altitude sickness), and then go down, pass the non-freezing spring, and arrive at the Hoh Xil Sonam Dajie Protection Station. It may be that we were unlucky, and we didn't see a Tibetan antelope on the road, but only saw the desolate beauty along the way. At the Hoh Xil Sightseeing Platform, I suddenly wanted to go to the opposite mountain to have a look. I violated the regulations that I can’t enter the scenic spot, but I was called back by the nearby guards after I didn’t go far. I checked my documents and photos, and finally decided whether to go to the police station or help. Picking up rubbish is chosen to pick up rubbish, so friends who come here must not enter the scenic spot without authorization. Back at the hotel at night, I searched Hoh Xil and found that it is also an important military area, so when you arrive in Hoh Xil, one is for your own safety, and the other is for military secrets. You must not run around.
Kunlun Mountain Park Entrance
Kunlun Spring
Entrance of Wuji Dragon and Phoenix Palace
Hoh Xil overlooks Mount Everest
Garbage picked up by sanitation in Hoh Xil
The fourth day itinerary: Golmud - Dachaidan Emerald Lake - Aksay Oil Town - Dunhuang
Starting from Golmud to Dunhuang, passing through Emerald Lake, the naturally formed emerald green is due to its rich salt content. This was originally the mining area of the salt mine of Dachaidan Chemical Factory. This area is of different sizes and shapes. The lakes are all potholes left by the salt lake mining for many years, forming the beautiful Emerald Lake today. Therefore, her colors are also the same, including green, yellow, blue, and white. Overall, I am very satisfied with the photos taken here.
The following five pictures are provided by the photographer Vegetable Candy
Emerald Lake taken by Teacher Xiao Su at night
selfie portrait
The second stop is Aksai Petroleum Town, which is the location where Xifenglie and the nine-story demon tower were filmed --- Aksai Petroleum Town. Many people feel that this is a fictional scene or a man-made temporary venue, but it is real. Stone sculptures may be immortal, but the spirit represented by the sculptures no longer has any echoes. Standing here for a long time can't help but make people panic. But it has indeed been inhabited, and urban infrastructure such as kindergartens, schools, hospitals, and government agencies is readily available. It used to be the starting point of China's industry, built China's first military nuclear reactor, and used to be the place where China made atomic bombs, but now it is a ruin of doubts and a mysterious ghost town.
It was already evening after arriving in Dunhuang. After I went to the hotel to pack my luggage, I couldn’t wait to go to the Dunhuang Night Market to experience its atmosphere. Dunhuang has always been an important town on the Silk Road and a national historical and cultural city. It is famous for its Dunhuang Grottoes and Dunhuang murals Tianxia is the site of the world cultural heritage Mogao Grottoes and Yumen Pass and Yang Pass on the border of the Great Wall of Han Dynasty.
Discover your hometown store
The fifth day itinerary: Dunhuang - Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring - Mogao Grottoes - Dunhuang
Departing from Dunhuang in the morning, the first stop is Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring. It only takes more than ten minutes to drive, because my wife felt a little tired after driving a few days ago, and Teacher Xiao Su is also sorting out the previous photos. I'm the only one going to this place. The desert scenery here is very good, and you can also feel like riding a camel in the desert. You can see the Crescent Spring in the innermost part, which is known as the first spring in the desert. But to take pictures, you need to climb the desert to Mingsha Mountain. Climbing in the desert is very painful. After stepping on it, you will sink and walk very tired, so a ladder is specially built next to it. It is much easier to climb up the mountain along the ladder. After going up, you will see the vista of Dunhuang. After I got down, I felt very comfortable running down the sand. After I ran down, I found that my phone had dropped. It was too difficult to find a phone in the vast desert, but there was no way, so I had to go back along the road, climb up from the desert, and find someone to call. On the phone, I didn’t hear the ringing of the phone, maybe it was on mute, and the people around said there was no way, but I didn’t give up, I went to the staff, and the staff had experience, and I saw a black shadow in a vast sea of sand , I walked over and saw that it was indeed very lucky. Therefore, it is recommended that you take care of your things in the desert, otherwise it will be really difficult to find them if they are lost. Travel tips: If the friends who bought the ticket in the morning can go to see the sunset in the evening, the ticket can be entered continuously within one day.
Camels in Mingsha Mountain
The second stop came to Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang. Mogao Grottoes is the largest and richest Buddhist art site in the world. It is one of the three major grottoes and one of the four major grottoes in China. Tickets are divided into three categories: A, B, and C. , Among them, type A ticket can see ten caves, type B can see four caves, type C is a ticket for medical workers, we chose type B ticket, just simply feel it, and it is forbidden in Mogao Grottoes Take pictures, so the friends who go there just need to experience it with their hearts. There is a Maitreya Buddha in one of the caves, which is the third largest Buddha in the world. The second largest Buddha is the Zigong Buddha in Sichuan, and the first largest Buddha is In my hometown Leshan Giant Buddha. After watching the Mogao Grottoes, it was almost two o'clock in the afternoon, and we had plenty of time. We didn't want to go to other attractions anymore, and we were tired from driving for the past few days. And I chose to watch the recent popular movie Eight Hundred.
Entrance to Mogao Grottoes
The sixth day itinerary: Dunhuang - Jiayuguan - Danxia - Zhangye
Jiayuguan is the westernmost pass of the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty. Historically, it was called the Throat of Hexi. It is the transportation fortress of the ancient "Silk Road", known as one of the three wonders of the Great Wall of China (Shanhaiguan in the east, Zhenbeitai in the middle, and Jiayuguan in the west).
The second stop is the Colorful Danxia Scenic Area. As the name suggests, the Danxia landform is famous for its colorful colors. Under the sunlight, it looks like it is covered with a layer of red gauze. The scenic spot only has a sense of the photos taken by drone aerial photography, but flying drones is prohibited in the scenic spot, but you can take a helicopter in the scenic spot to enjoy the scenery, and the price is slightly more expensive at 880 yuan per person. But if you want to take beautiful photos here, you need to have sunshine against the backdrop, so those who want to take pictures without taking pictures need to check the weather conditions of the day before going.
The following five pictures are provided by the photographer Vegetable Candy
Danxia aerial photography
Day 7 Itinerary: Zhangye-Xining
Today, I didn’t go to any scenic spots on the road. I just hurried on the road. The scenery on the road was still very beautiful, but it was also raining heavily. The Northwest where the sun didn’t come out felt very cold, and there was heavy fog on the Qilian Mountain Road. Arrived in Xining at about six o'clock, and went to Dongguan Mosque and Plateau Pearl Tower to check in after dinner. The Plateau Pearl Tower must go in the dark. After climbing to the top of the tower, the 360-degree panoramic view gives you a panoramic view of the entire city of Xining. It reminds me of the Tokyo Tower that I have been to before. It was the first time I looked at the Tokyo Tower. , watching the lights imitate, the falling starlight.
Visit the Dongguan Mosque
Plateau Pearl Tower overlooks the night view of Xining
