Shanghai-Qinghai-Gansu Self-driving Travel Notes
1. Itinerary:
DAY1 (6th): Shanghai - Xining
DAY2 (7th): Xining - Kumbum Monastery - Laji Mountain - Qinghai Lake
DAY3 (8th): Self-driving tour around Qinghai Lake - Chaka Salt Lake
DAY4 (9th): Chaka Town - Dulanhai Temple Flower Sea - Qaidam Basin - Golmud
DAY5 (10th): Chaerhan Salt Lake - Xiaochaidan - Lake Emerald Lake - Qinghai Yadan Landform - Dangjin Mountain - Dunhuang
DAY6 (11th): Mingsha Mountain - West Thousand Buddha Caves - Dunhuang Museum
DAY7 (12th): Zhangye Colorful Danxia
DAY8 (13th): Zhangye Colorful Danxia - Biandukou - Ebao Ancient Town - Qilian Prairie - Gangshika Snow Peak - Menyuan Rape Flower Sea - Daban Mountain - Heiquan Reservoir - Xining
DAY9 (14th): One-day tour of Xining (Ma Mansion - Mosque)
DAY10 (15th): Xining - Shanghai
2. Itinerary strategy:
Day 1 (August 6): Shanghai - Xining
Every July and August is the peak tourist season in Qinghai. Travel enthusiasts from all over the country, especially self-driving tourists, flock to Qinghai, and the traffic is relatively crowded. If you drive from Shanghai to Qinghai, it is recommended to go to Xining by train or plane first and then rent a car there. In this season, direct air tickets from Shanghai to Xining can be said to be hard to find, and the price is also very high. We chose to fly from Shanghai to Lanzhou first, and then take the train to Xining. Depart from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport at 8:55 in the morning, arrive at T2 of Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport at 12:05, and arrive at Lanzhou Railway Station on Airport Bus Line 1 (1 hour and 32 minutes) at around 14:10, or take the intercity high-speed rail at Zhongchuan Airport to Xining high-speed rail stand. The hotel must be booked at least one day in advance. You can choose to be near the train station, and it is more convenient to pick up the car. It is recommended to prepare the self-driving travel items for the next day (fruits, food, drinking water, etc.) on the same day.
Day 2 (August 7): Xining - Kumbum Monastery - Laji Mountain - Qinghai Lake
Since the car rental company and vehicle have been selected in advance through the APP on the Internet, the process of renting a car is very simple. At about 8:30 in the morning, go directly to the Shenzhou car rental appointment location to pick up the car (Address: West Fourth Shop on the first floor of the bus station on the right side of Xining Station (Qinghai-Tibet National Trade City), the car is parked on the second floor.). We chose the weekly rental, although the price is a little cheaper than the daily rental, but the cost of car rental in Xining is nearly double that of Shanghai, and the rented car is a Captiva. Reminder: Be sure to check the vehicle before picking up the car. There are detailed precautions for car rental at the end of this article.
Today's itinerary:
1. Xining - Kumbum Monastery 28KM, 1H.
Kumbum Temple, also known as Ta'er Temple, was called "Foshan" in ancient times. Because there was a white pagoda first and then a temple was built, it is estimated to be called Kumbum Temple. It is the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug Sect (Yellow Sect) of Tibetan Buddhism in my country, and one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug Sect (Yellow Sect) of Tibetan Buddhism in China. The temple was first built in the 39th year of Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty (AD 1560), and has a history of more than 400 years. The entire monastery is composed of many temples, scripture halls, pagodas, and monk houses, a magnificent architectural complex combining Chinese and Tibetan art. It covers an area of more than 600 mu and is the activity center of Tibetan Buddhism in Northwest China. The butter flower in Kumbum Monastery is one of the "Three Wonders of Kumbum Monastery" (butter flower, mural, pile embroidery). It is a special skill of using butter (butter) to shape objects. Butter flowers are not suitable for preservation. The craftsmen start to make them in October every year. It lasts for three months and is made once a year. The offerings of Bodhisattvas come in six colors, namely flowers, incense sticks, holy water, tile incense, fruits and Buddha lamps. In 2006, Kumbum Butter Flower was included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage list.
Tickets for Kumbum Monastery are 70 yuan, half price for students.
2. Kumbum Monastery - Laji Mountain 36KM, 1H.
Laji Mountain Pass is 3,820 meters above sea level, with gentle slopes and lush water and grass. In addition to the herds of cattle and sheep, there are herdsmen's tents and large prayer flags. When you arrive at the mountain pass, you can stop and stop. Many local Tibetan stalls are equipped with wolf skins, fluttering in the wind, and you can't bear to look directly at them.
3. Laji Mountain - Qinghai Lake Erlangjian Scenic Area 102KM - Quanji Township 158KM, time...H.
There is only one lane on the road from Laji Mountain to Qinghai Lake, and there are many unruly cars. Overtaking on the right side and random clipping are more serious, especially for local cars from Sichuan and Qinghai (of course, only some of the unruly ones are not allowed to hit the surface. Too big) rampant, near the Erlangjian scenic spot, due to the long-distance congestion caused by vehicles occupying the lane at will, the short 5-kilometer road took 2 hours. Before reaching the Black Horse River, it was blocked for another 2 hours due to the same distance for the above reasons. Fortunately, rape blossoms are in full bloom by Qinghai Lake, and Qinghai Lake looks clearer and bluer against the backdrop of yellow flowers. Tickets for Erlangjian Scenic Area are 90 yuan, and if you want to take a boat, you have to pay 100 yuan. When you come to Qinghai Lake, you just want to see the blue sea and blue sky here. If you want to be close to the water, you can enter from any Tibetan rapeseed field, and it only costs 10 yuan.
Many self-driving tourists who come to Qinghai Lake choose to live in the Heima River in Qinghai Lake. The Heima River is a bit dark this season. It is recommended to choose a nearby place to stay. We booked the Plateau Impression Inn in Quanji Township, Gangcha County from the Internet. The price is reasonable (216 yuan for a three-person room). There is a yard where parking can be parked. , the proprietress reminded all the way, waiting for us.
Day 3 (August 8): Around Qinghai Lake - Chaka Salt Lake
When I woke up, the building was already empty. After breakfast, I asked the proprietress about the nearby Bird Island. The proprietress smiled and said that there are no birds in Bird Island. Going there is nothing more than looking at the lake. Besides, Bird Island has long been closed, so it’s better to go to Xueyuda Lai Quan has a look, there is no entrance fee, and you can go directly to the lake.
Itinerary: Quanji Township - Snowy Dalai Spring - Chaka Town 150KM
1. According to the guidance of the Gaode map, drive about 10 kilometers to Dalai Spring, which is located by Qinghai Lake. The snow-covered Dalai Spring was discovered when the fifth Dalai Lama led his monks to pass through Qinghai Lake. It is called "holy spring" by local Tibetans. The water in the entire Qinghai Lake is salty, but the water in this spring is fresh and very sweet. Reflecting the sun, the springs flow into streams, contented, free from vulgarity in the world, and forget each other in the rivers and lakes. If you drink the clear holy spring water, you will really feel a sense of enlightenment.
2. After leaving Dalai Spring, we decided to drive directly to Chaka because it was still early. From the Snowy Dalai Spring, drive about 160 kilometers along the Qinghu Huanhu Avenue and G109 to the Chaka Salt Lake Scenic Area. Passing through the rubber mountain pass, the altitude is 3817 meters. Although there are many vehicles, the road is still easy to walk, and there are not too many sharp bends and steep slopes.
Chaka Salt Lake is as famous as Kumbum Monastery, Qinghai Lake and Mengda Tianchi, and is one of the "Four Scenic Spots in Qinghai". Chaka Salt Lake is like a mirror prepared for the sky to freshen up, and it is called the "mirror of the sky" in China. The best shooting time for "Mirror of the Sky" is before 9:00 am and after 5:00 pm. When we arrived at Chaka, it was rainy, and the wind beat the prayer flags, making a sound of hunting. So I decided to walk around at random first, and then sit leisurely in the rest area, eat fruits, and wait for the wind to stop and the rain to rest. At around 5:30 in the afternoon, the sky suddenly cleared up, the lake became clearer after the storm, and the sky was as clear as blue. Barefoot into the lake, the red and blue of the lake are picturesque, it is a good time to shoot.
Tickets for Chaka Salt Lake are 60 yuan. This area is aided by counterparts in Zhejiang Province. Therefore, the scenic spot is free of charge for all tourists from Zhejiang. As long as you hold an ID card, you can directly verify and enter. It is recommended to enter by tram, walk to the far end, and return by small train. The one-way tram is 15 yuan, and the small train is 50 yuan one-way. This combination is more reasonable. If you go in by a small train, you often catch up with the peak flow of people, and you may not be able to sit in line for an hour. Since I live in Chaka Town, Ulan County at night, I walk in the car and have fun until sunset.
By the way, I would like to mention the accommodation in Chaka Town. The accommodation conditions in Chaka Town are very poor (good ones can’t afford it). Not only are the rooms small, the facilities poor, and there is no place to hang clothes or towels in the room, but the price is also the highest in our trip to Qinghai (359 for a triple room) Yuan), the lowest price-performance ratio for board and lodging. Luckily we brought our own disposable toilet seat and disposable sheets. Chaka Salt Lake is like a "mirror of the sky", but the management of Chaka Town is chaotic, vehicles stop in a hurry, and the roads are dirty. Taking advantage of the good mood of swimming in the lake, let's make do with one night.
Day 4 (August 9): Chaka Salt Lake - Dulan - Golmud
According to the regular route of the Qinghu self-driving tour of the Great Ring Road, the next stop after leaving Chaka should be Delingha. I checked the nearby attractions on the Internet and decided not to take the usual route. From Chaka, continue along G109 to the southwest and have a look. "Splendid Dulan".
Itinerary: Chaka - Haisi Flower Sea - Qaidam Basin Yardang Landform - Golmud
1. When mentioning the impression of Qinghai, many people immediately think of Qinghai Lake, which is as clear as a mirror, Chaka Salt Lake, the "mirror of the sky", and Qilian Mountain Prairie, which has the reputation of "Oriental Switzerland", but they often ignore the fact that it is about 150 kilometers away from Chaka. km of Dulan. If you want to say that the most beautiful place in Dulan is the sea of flowers in Haisi. Haisi in August is the most beautiful season for the sea of flowers. The sea of flowers in Haisi is about 15 kilometers east of Dulan County. Driving through the winding mountain roads and in the valleys, it is as if you have come to a fairyland. There are endless purple wolves Poisonous flowers bloom all over the hillsides, covering the grasslands, which contrast with the green grass on the grasslands, forming a beautiful landscape painting of grasslands and hills in Dulan.
The parking fee is 10 yuan, and there are no tickets.
2. At the gate of Haisi Huahai, there are several introductions of nearby attractions. The beauty of Alak Lake immediately attracted us. After locating on the Gaode map, follow the guided route and drive from Baron Township to the lake area. Driving on the bumpy country road and going up the river, I saw broken walls and dilapidated villages beside the road. Except for the villagers who happened to be building canals to divert water at Saner, there was no life and no one inhabited. Seeing a sign of Arak Lake Road on the side of the road, continue along the Gaode route. When I arrived at the location shown in the picture, my heart was a little cold. I saw only rocks and snow-capped mountains in the distance, but it was a lake. Lu Yu crossed the road with a Beijing license plate, probably a fellow traveler who also came to find Alak Lake, stopped and asked, they all went under the snow-capped mountains in the distance, and there was no trace of the lake. After calculating the time, I had no choice but to switch the front of the car and return angrily. Although I didn't see Lake Arak, the scenery along the way remained undiminished. Gothe is indispensable, but it cannot be fully trusted.
3. The Qaidam Basin has the longest Yadan landform group in the world. It is mainly due to wind erosion and desertification, forming mounds of various shapes and sizes. You can see this kind of landform along the way to Golmud. Such a place is a sight for tourists. The so-called Yadan Devil City is just a barren land for local herdsmen. The cattle and sheep have nowhere to look for food. Seeing the devil but not seeing the fireworks in the world.
4. The history of Golmud city is only more than 60 years. Its rise is closely related to the construction of the Qinghai-Tibet Kilometer. It can be said that the development of Golmud stems from resources. When the Tibet Transportation Corps led by General Mu Shengzhong came to Golmud to set up camp, Golmud has formed an indissoluble bond with "soldiers". It can be said that Golmud has soldiers first and then a city. .
Day 5 (August 10): Golmud - Dunhuang
From Golmud directly to Dunhuang, the whole journey is about 530 kilometers, and today's itinerary is full.
Itinerary: Chaerhan Salt Lake - Xiaochaidan Lake - Emerald Lake - Mingsha Mountain
1. Chaerhan Salt Lake is currently only an industrial zone for salt mining, and it is far from being developed as a scenic spot. If you want to enter the salt lake, you have to pass through a large factory area, which is not open to the public. With the mentality of giving it a try, we drove directly to the gate of the factory area. We wanted to give some money to the security guards and ask them to let them go. When we entered the security room, we saw a leader who looked like a man eating watermelon, so we directly explained our purpose to the leader. Unexpectedly, the leader was very reasonable, saying "I think it will work" allowed us to enter the factory smoothly. After passing through the factory area, you can reach the salt lake. The current Chaerhan Salt Lake is a large construction site, the roads are paved with salt, the trucks transporting salt shuttle back and forth, and the salt ponds are connected one by one. I wanted to drive directly to the edge of the Salt Lake, but the lake area is too big and there are many fields. It is reported that the first phase of the Chaerhan Salt Lake tourism resources development project is currently under construction, focusing on creating natural ecological tourism, with a total investment of about 600 million yuan. Upon completion, the visitor center, Salt Lake Expo Base, Salt Lake Museum, Central Wharf, Baili Water Scenic Line, Freshwater Wetland, Salt Flower World, etc. will be built.
Back in the factory area, you can go to the Salt Lake Museum in the factory by the way. You don’t need tickets, you just need to register your ID card.
2. Leave the Chaerhan Salt Lake and continue driving north along the G3011 Liuge Expressway. The expressway in Qinghai is charged according to the section. There is a charge for entering the expressway, and there is no checkpoint for exiting the expressway. It is said to be a high speed, but in fact there are many entrances and exits on the road. You can turn off the road at any time, and you can even turn around at will. Therefore, when driving, you must pay attention to the oncoming vehicles and the cars that stop and turn in front of you. Walking to Xiaochaidan Lake, I saw many vehicles parked by the lake, so I turned off the driveway and joined the army of lake appreciation.
Small Qaidam Lake is called Xiaochaidan Lake locally. There are countless lakes, large and small, in Dachaidan, Haixi Prefecture. It is called Xiaochaidan Lake, but it is actually not small. It is the largest saltwater lake in Dachaidan. When you face the lake, you really appreciate its size! The lake in front of you is bursting with waves, the snow-capped mountains in the distance seem to be hidden, and layers of waves are rushing towards the shore. Close your eyes and listen carefully. The sound of the waves beating, as if you have arrived at a quiet bay!
3. The "Emerald Lake" of about 6 square kilometers is called Dachaidan Lake. It is the mining area of the salt lake mining team of the former Dachaidan Chemical Plant. After years of mining, it formed a pit and became the beautiful "Emerald Lake" today. Due to the different concentrations of minerals, the lake water appears dark green, dark green, emerald green... just like pieces of emerald embedded in the earth, so it has the reputation of "Emerald Lake". The emerald lake is as its name suggests, and the color of the lake is as beautiful as emerald. Although it is not as famous as Chaka Salt Lake, its tranquility and comfort, openness and barrenness are incomparable to Chaka Salt Lake. Standing by the lake, the mirror-like lake reflects the blue sky, white clouds and snow-capped peaks, like a fairyland.
Emerald Lake currently does not charge tickets, but when you enter the lake area, you can see a gate rising from the ground. It is conceivable that this place will become a cornucopia of money in the near future.
The original plan was to go to the oil town from Emerald Lake. Seeing that the time was a bit tight, I didn't rush that time and went straight to Dunhuang. Be free and at ease, the sights are not important, the key is the mood.
Overnight at the Cao Family Courtyard in Mingsha Mountain, 200 meters away from the gate of the scenic spot.
Day 6 (August 11): Dunhuang
Mogao Grottoes is a great treasure house of art, which contains a large number of murals and cultural relics. Tickets can only be booked online in advance. There are several types of tickets for Mogao Grottoes, such as A, B, and C. It is difficult to book tickets for type A during the peak season. We booked tickets online before departing from Shanghai. Unfortunately, the tickets for August are all booked, and type B can only reach Dunhuang. After booking the next day through the WeChat applet, it is a pity that no such tickets were booked after arriving at Mingsha Mountain. Fortunately, we have been to Dunhuang more than 20 years ago, and Dunhuang at that time was more authentic than it is now, and it is more interesting to recall the old days.
Itinerary: Mingsha Mountain - West Thousand Buddha Caves - Dunhuang Museum - Yumen.
1. The advantage of living in a scenic spot is that you don’t have to hurry, let alone get up early and get late. Get up in the morning, take your time, and walk in the car. Mingsha Mountain in the morning is rare and cool, and the sun is not too strong, so there is no need to worry about exposure to the sun. Many tourists rent a pair of shoe covers in scenic spots for 15 yuan in order to prevent sand from getting in their shoes. Actually, I don’t think it’s necessary at all. There are three reasons: first, this cover is not only not sand-resistant, but also pockets sand; Fine, just bare feet. Another thing you don’t need to buy is the colorful plastic sandboard on the door. Sitting on it to skate the sand, not only does it not slip, but you have to use both hands and feet with artificial assistance. Mingsha Mountain has two peculiarities: if a person slides down from the top of the mountain, the sand under his feet will hum; the footprints left by people climbing the sand mountain during the day will be completely gone the next day.
You can overlook the Crescent Moon Spring by climbing Mingsha Mountain, but you will consume a lot of energy, so you must ensure that you are hydrated. There is a lot of wind and sand on the sand dunes, sun protection is very important, and sunglasses are also very important.
Surrounded by Mingsha Mountain, Crescent Moon Spring got its name because the water resembles a crescent moon. The source of Crescent Moon Spring is the Dang River, relying on the continuous filling of the river, surrounded by yellow sand on all sides, the spring water is clear and beautiful, and it has not dried up for a thousand years, which is amazing. It is a pity that since the 1990s, the flow between the Dang River and the Crescent Lake has been cut off, and artificial methods can only be used to maintain the status quo of the spring water. Since 2000, Dunhuang City has taken emergency measures to replenish the water level of the Crescent Spring by refilling the river around the Crescent Spring, so that the Crescent Spring will not be depleted temporarily.
Ticket information: Half-price discount for students with valid student ID, free or discount for military personnel and seniors over 65 years old with valid ID; tourist bus 10 yuan/person, can be sent to Crescent Lake scenic spot, it is recommended to go there on foot; camel 100 yuan/horse; glider 160-1600 yuan/person, depending on the flight distance; sandboarding 15 yuan/person; shoe cover rental 15 yuan/pair
2. The name of the West Thousand Buddha Caves is also due to the Mogao Grottoes. named. The reputation of West Thousand Buddha Caves is obviously not as great as that of Mogao Grottoes. In fact, its excavation period was earlier than that of Mogao Grottoes, but because its scale and splendor are indeed much worse than Mogao Grottoes, it is only Dunhuang Grottoes. An incidental tourist attraction. There are 16 existing caves in the West Thousand Buddha Caves, and currently only 9 are open to the public, because other grottoes cannot be visited. Most of the grottoes were excavated during the Northern Wei Dynasty. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, no repairs were made to the murals, so the original colors were basically maintained. However, due to too many dynasties and frequent wars in the past thousand years, these artistic paintings have not been well protected. Some people even smeared on them at will, but compared to "visiting here", The depiction at that time was still a little literary.
Photography is not allowed in the West Thousand Buddha Caves, all tourists are led by a tour guide, and the cave doors are locked. Tickets are 30 yuan, free explanation.
3. When it comes to Dunhuang, I have to mention the Dunhuang Museum, because the history of Dunhuang here seems to be just yesterday, but you feel like you have traveled through it. Dunhuang, a small northwest city with a history of more than 2,500 years, is the link between the East and the West and the center of political, cultural and economic exchanges between the East and the West. Back then, envoys, business travelers and literati from all over the world gathered in Dunhuang, and its prosperity was extremely prosperous for a while. However, regarding its history, it has to go into the Dunhuang Museum, follow the footprints of the Silk Road, and trace back to the era of gold and iron horses more than 2,500 years ago.
Walking into the museum, you will be greeted by the breath of history. Walking out of the museum, the blue sky and white clouds catch the pulse of the current era. Thousands of years of history are but a fleeting moment.
An episode of staying in Yumen City: The camera was left behind in the hotel the next day, and when the boss called, the car was already on the expressway and almost arrived at Jiayuguan. I wanted to give a neutral comment on the not-so-clean environment of the hotel, but the camera incident doubled my favor.
Day 7 (August 12): Yumen - Zhangye
Before departure, I checked the comments of netizens on the nearby scenic spots on the Internet. I wanted to go to Jiayuguan as the next stop, but I saw that there were mostly negative reviews on the Internet. Nearby, if you drive, you have to charge parking fees everywhere, and it’s cheaper to take local transportation; third, Jiayuguan is a tower to see, but it’s not man-made, and the old appearance has disappeared. In short, the price/performance ratio is super low. It doesn't matter if you don't look at it.
Itinerary: Jinta Populus euphratica Forest - Zhangye Danxia Geological Park
1. The trip to the Populus euphratica forest in Jinta is an experience I don’t want to mention the last time. I originally abandoned Jiayuguan and made a special trip to Populus euphratica. When we came to the entrance of the scenic spot, the ticket hall was empty, and there was no answer after shouting for a long time. When I asked the security guard, the security guard also felt baffled. When the walkie-talkie rang, I realized that several people were chatting in a small pavilion. I wanted to buy a ticket to go in, but after asking, I found out that the ticket price of 60 yuan is not discounted at all, and you can only see the green Populus euphratica. If Populus euphratica is green, it is better to go to the grassland. What is there to do here? Watching. Forget it, let's save time for Danxia.
2. When I arrived at the Danxia Scenic Area, it was windy and rainy. The chilly wind blowing on the face made people feel cold. The local people said: It rains rarely in this place, let you catch up. There is plenty of time, so we decided to go for a walk first, explore the road, and come back for a second tour tomorrow. After entering the Danxia landform, you can walk and walk in the scenery. Although the wind and rain are rustling, it makes people forget the cold. The beautiful landscape not only has the effect of healing, but also warms the heart. I came to Danxia again the next day, and the colors of the mountains after the rain were even more gorgeous. The landforms of Zhangye Danxia are not all red, there are also blue, orange and yellow ones, which are arranged in an orderly manner on the flat ground, which adds a bit of interest to the Danxia. Some people say that "Colorful Danxia" is like plasticine. When several colors are mixed together, they will be blurred and lose their original colors, but I think "Colorful Danxia" is like a rainbow, because the seven colors of the rainbow At the intersection, it has not lost its original color, which is exactly the case with "Colorful Danxia". However, sometimes the landscape transformed by humans often lacks a bit of momentum, and it is not as good as the one carved by nature. I think that human beings cannot build strange and spectacular scenery like "Colorful Danxia" and "Binggou Danxia".
Tickets for Zhangye Danxia are 54 yuan, and the scenic spot transportation fee is 20 yuan, which is a conscience price, and it will continue to be valid the next day. You only need to buy another 20 yuan transportation fee with the purchased tickets.
Accommodation: Qiaojia Inn in Danxia Scenic Area. I originally planned to stay in Zhangye City at night, but because I had to come back the next day, I decisively canceled the original hotel and stayed at the Qiao's Inn at the entrance of the scenic spot. The owner of this inn is very good at doing business and chatting. According to him, Zhangye Danxia was the first group of explorers in the tourism development of Zhangye Danxia. Although the hand-caught lamb bones in the inn are not cheap, they are indeed delicious.
Day 8 (August 13): Zhangye - Xining
Continue to visit Danxia in the morning, linger and return with all your heart's content.
Itinerary: Zhangye Danxia - Biandukou - Qilian Prairie - Menyuan Rape Flower Sea - Xining
1. Biandukou Scenic Tourist Area is located in the middle of the Qilian Mountains, on both sides of National Highway 227 at a distance of 10000 kilometers, with mountains stacked, blue clouds, green grasslands, and yellow flowers.
Before entering Biandukou, there is a place called "Biandukou Ecological Leisure Tourist Area" on the Gansu side. Many tourists are attracted by the sign at the gate of the scenic spot to stop and visit. The entrance fee is 30 yuan, and the parking fee is 10 yuan. In fact, the infinite scenery is behind, so there is no need to go here.
2. When you enter Biandu Gorge, you will start your journey across Qilian Mountains. The road is rugged and winds up the mountain. August is the peak season for traveling to Qinghai. There are a lot of cars on the road, and there are many construction vehicles when the expressway is being built, and there are occasional long queues of traveling cars, which sometimes stop and go. Fortunately, everyone is out to play, get close to nature, and relax, which seems to be leisurely. When the car stopped, one after another got out of the car, lit a cigarette, drank saliva, and enjoyed the scenery of the plateau. Blue sky, white clouds, grass, unknown wild flowers. And the prayer flags around the mani pile on the hillside flutter with the wind, adding a sacred color to the plateau, and the reverence and devotion to nature arise spontaneously in my heart.
The Qilian Mountains divide the north and the south into two distinct climate types, creating different natural scenery. The northern foot of Qilian Mountain is a thousand-mile Hexi Corridor composed of desert, Gobi and green states. To the south is the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau composed of grasslands, lakes, and rivers, which is the birthplace of many great rivers. Passing through the ancient city of Ebao, you can stop and have a look. Ebao, also known as Ebo and Aobao, was built between 1206 and 1279 A.D., with an altitude of 3645 meters. It is the main road leading to the Hexi Corridor. The important post station, tea and horse exchange market and military fortress on the South Road of Zhizhi are known as the North Gate of Qinghai. The ancient city of Ebao has experienced wind, frost, snow and rain for hundreds of years. Although it has been repaired several times, it is still ruined and the vegetation is desolate.
3. Passing through Menyuan, the most beautiful time of rapeseed flowers has been missed, and the yellow flowers have withered, leaving only a few residual flowers. Although the crowd is neglected, the ticket price is still firm, 60 yuan a ticket, no deception.
Back to Xining, it was almost 10 o'clock, the accommodation was ready, and the car was returned to rest. Return address: Area E02, B2, West Underground Parking Lot of Xining Station (Qinghai-Tibet Ethnic Trade City). Return the car by yourself, upload photos, and end the self-driving journey.
Day 9 (August 14): Xining
When you come to Qinghai, you must set aside time to wander around the provincial capital. The provincial capital is the political, economic and cultural center, and it is the place where you can refine the essence of Qinghai.
Itinerary: Museum - Mosque - leisure shopping
1. There is a special compound in Xining - Ma Bufang Mansion (Xinlu). In the most severe scenic spot "purge wind" in history launched by the National Tourism Administration, Ma Bufang Mansion became the only 4A-level scenic spot in Qinghai that was delisted. The official reason for the cancellation is: loss of tourism function. No tourism activities have been carried out since May 1, 2016, and the scenic spot is closed.
Ma Bufang ruled Qinghai for more than 40 years and was known as the "King of the Northwest". He brutally poisoned and buried tens of thousands of West Route Army soldiers alive. In Xining, Ma Bufang has several mansions. The one in Weimin Lane is the largest. The houses in it are all built of jade, costing 30 million yuan, and named "Xinlu", with a total area of about 100,000 square meters. About 30,000 square meters have been preserved so far. When introducing the history of the scenic spot, Ma Bufang was portrayed as a "sage". There are many good deeds that benefit the country and the people, such as sending troops to resist Japan, establishing education, prohibiting drugs, and greening the environment. It seems that there is no disadvantage at all. In fact, taking a letter from the Tsushima Mansion is a manifestation of lazy administration, and it can be used as a negative teaching material to let the world fully understand its heinous evil deeds.
2. There are many mosques in Xining. There are east, west, north and south in the urban area. The most famous one is the mosque located on Dongguan Street. The Great Mosque has a history of more than 600 years and can accommodate 40,000 to 60,000 Muslims to worship at the same time. The main hall in the mosque can accommodate 3,000 people to worship. The Dongguan Grand Mosque is listed by the Islamic Association of China as the mosque with the largest number of worshipers in the country, and the number of worshipers ranks first in China. Every Friday (Juma) those who attend the worship will pray in the street. At that time, the entire Dongguan Street will be under traffic control and motor vehicles will not be allowed to enter. Due to the limited space in the mosque, tens of thousands of Muslims have to pray in the street. The streets are densely packed. All are Muslims. The Great Mosque provides free explanations. When entering the mosque, there are clothing requirements. You can’t bare your chest and back to your thighs. Free robes are provided at the entrance, and the color is mainly black. The temple is also a benchmark for military-civilian integration. Even the local taxi driver said that all ethnic groups in Xining should embrace each other as tightly as pomegranates.
Taking advantage of the residual temperature of the Great Mosque, we visited Nanguan Mosque and Yudai Bridge Mosque by the way.
3. There is also a Hanging Temple in Xining, which is located in Beishan. It was built in the Northern Wei Dynasty and is now the second largest Hanging Temple in China. The footprints of many monks and thousands of years of historical accumulation have created its unique cultural essence. It's a pity that it has been in disrepair for a long time and neglected management. Many caves and pavilions have been severely damaged and are now closed. You can only look far away from the Beichan Temple at the foot of the mountain, leaving a sigh.
Where there is north, there is south. The Nanchan Temple in Xining is not far away, and it can be reached directly by bus. Today is the fourteenth day of the seventh lunar month, which coincides with the Hungry Ghost Festival of Taoism and the Obon Festival of Buddhism. Cigarettes are curling up in the temple, Taoist priests and monks are chanting scriptures and singing, and the sound of reeling is lingering on the beams. In the flowery city, there is only one pure land.
Day 10 (August 15): Xining - Shanghai
Reluctant to let go of the blue sky of Qinghai, nostalgic for the refreshing night, and end the trip to the west. In the morning, take the train to Xi'an, and then fly back to Shanghai.
3. Preparation before travel:
1. Dressing strategy: The temperature difference in Qinghai is relatively large. Even in summer, you should bring enough warm clothes, such as down jackets, thick coats, etc. The shoes should be light sports shoes. You can bring some brightly colored ethnic style characteristic big shawls and long Skirt, it will look great when taking pictures.
2. Necessary items:
1) The ultraviolet rays in Qinghai are very strong and the air is dry. Sunscreen, hats and lip balm are essential items.
2) In order to avoid altitude sickness, you can also bring some anti-altitude drugs, and be careful not to exercise vigorously.
3) The journey on the road is long, so you can bring a U-shaped pillow and eye mask to fully catch up on sleep in the car. It is also necessary to bring a box of mineral water in the car.
4) Commonly used medicines should be prepared: cold medicine, diarrhea medicine, etc.
5) Prepare several sets of disposable bed sheets and toilet mats. Some hotels have poor hygienic conditions. When traveling abroad, it is very important to pay attention to hygiene.
3. Meals:
1) Eat more fruits and vegetables, pay attention to vitamin supplements
2) Beef and mutton are delicious, but don't be greedy, as they are easy to get angry
4. Tips for renting a car:
1. Don't believe the mileage displayed on the meter, the mileage of most leased vehicles has been changed. If you want to know the date of manufacture of the car, you can look at the sign on the glass or the driving license.
2. It is impossible to maintain the rental car according to the number of kilometers. It is necessary to check whether the engine oil is lacking. If you can’t, just spend some money to buy a barrel of engine oil and add it, but it must be in accordance with the requirements of the scale, and you can’t add more. Long-distance driving, if the oil is gone, the engine burns out, but it is a big deal. Not only will it affect travel, but you may also have to bear huge compensation.
3. When driving on the road, you must violate the rules and regulations, and do not violate the rules by speeding too fast. If it violates the regulations, it is difficult to deal with it by yourself, and if the rental company pays it on your behalf, it will be a lot of money.
