During the National Day holiday in 2016, in order to avoid heavy traffic jams, we started the tour of the Northwest Ring Road one day in advance, early in the morning on September 30. A temporary idea, a hasty companionship, and in just two or three days, the four of them planned to set off while walking.
On the first day, I ran for 12 hours and stayed in Yinchuan directly. I found a time-honored brand, and after drinking and eating, I planned the route for the next day.
On the second day, the film and television city in the west of Zhenbeibao, Shahu Lake, and Shuidonggou. Live in Zhongwei.
Zhenbeibao Western Film and Television City, 35 kilometers away from Yinchuan City, was built on the basis of an original old castle. It is one of the three major film and television cities in China and the only famous film and television city in western China. He has filmed famous films such as "A Chinese Journey to the West", "Red Sorghum", and "Evil in the West". We got on the bullock cart and walked around the scenic spot slowly and joltingly. We saw many familiar scenes, but it was much smaller and simpler than what we saw on TV.
The Shahu Scenic Area integrates the Jiangnan water town and the desert scenery. This is the first time in this life that I have entered the desert. I am very excited. Entering from the gate, passing through a section of water and land, I entered the world of yellow sand. barren.
Shuidonggou is known as "the birthplace of Chinese prehistoric archaeology". It was not in our scenic spot plan, but it was too early. I found this scenic spot on the Internet and stepped into a prehistoric place by accident. Learn about the process and results of five archaeological excavations in history in the museum. The ancient Great Wall shows the majestic appearance of crossing two provinces with one foot, and walks through the Luhua Valley full of white flowers. Due to time constraints, there is no boating on Hongshan Lake, nor can Take a look at the cave of Tibetan soldiers - the ancient military defense system. Staying in Zhongwei at night, choosing a hotel from thousands of choices, unexpectedly there was a small episode, and the hotel staff had a lot of twists and turns, but it didn't affect our mood.
ancient great wall
aloe flower
On the third day, Shapotou. I live in Xining.
I got up early and bought a lot of goji berries at the specialty shop next to the hotel. I knew Shapotou earlier, so why go to Shahu Lake, this is my first feeling when I entered the scenic spot. I hate myself for not having enough courage and strength, being intimidated by the sand slope, not daring to try to climb up the sand, taking a dragon ladder from the Yellow River area to the desert area, riding a camel into the desert hinterland, bare feet, all kinds of fun, all kinds of POSS
Dashapo
The Yellow River meandering under the sandy slope
Camel ride into the desert hinterland
have fun
During the National Day period, this is a peak period for tourism. Before coming here, I also risked traffic jams on the road and people in scenic spots. But I didn’t want to. The northwest of the motherland is too vast. In this vast desert, people seem to be Too few, too small. In the subsequent trip, we did not encounter traffic jams (except on the way back), which made us feel more relaxed. I originally planned to go straight to Ejina, but when I saw netizens saying that the weather was hot and the leaves were not yet yellow, etc., I immediately changed the itinerary, thinking of delaying for a few more days to wait for the yellow leaves, and included Qinghai Lake in the plan in time. Leave the desert, cross Gansu to Qinghai, and stay in Xining. Find a good hotel and go to the snack street immediately. I remember it is called Laomo Street. There are many shops on the street, and some old brands are more conspicuous. The bigger one is called Mazhong Restaurant. There are all kinds of local delicacies, but the whole street or The environment in the shop is mediocre, which is why it is a good place to eat fireworks.
The fourth day, Kumbum Monastery, Qinghai Lake. Live in Qinghai Lake.
In the Kumbum Monastery, I had some high-reverse phenomena, shortness of breath and guilty conscience. I drank a bowl of local yak yogurt, slowed down, and gradually returned to normal. Entering the temple, you can see the lamas in cassocks, the believers who cast their bodies on the ground, and the tourists full of curiosity. They are quieter in the noise, and more solemn in the bustle. Shrouded in mystery and mistyness, with awe in my heart, I dare not have the slightest pretense. On the way to Qinghai Lake, there are groups of yaks walking on the road from time to time, and only the cars give way to the cattle. The weather in October is already very cold here. Along the way along the snow-capped mountains and to the lake, there are no large rapeseed flowers on the roadside, and the grass has withered. The sky is sunny and cloudy, the wind is blowing, and there are few tourists, but it does not affect our good mood. Fortunately, a piece of rape blossoms that seemed to be forgotten came into our eyes. On this cold afternoon, it seemed to be specially prepared for us. There are dark clouds in the distance, a rainbow hangs in the sky, a group of birds fly to the distance in line, the snow-capped mountains in the distance, the clear lake water, we are beautiful, haha~
Yak walking on the road
The accommodation in Qinghai Lake is very limited, mostly tents and simple boxes. We chose the only star-studded hotel near the scenic spot to stay. We wanted to watch the stars and the moon at night, but the strong wind blew all night. Even the room was extremely cold, so I could only sleep with my eyes closed. The day before in Ningxia, we were still wearing thin shirts and short sleeves, but today we have all kinds of cotton jackets and jackets on our upper bodies.
On the fifth day, Chaka Salt Lake, live in Xining.
Today's weather is relatively gloomy, the wind is still howling, the temperature is very low, and even the full armor can't resist the cold. The salt lake has been seriously damaged by human beings. In addition, there is no sunshine. It is not as good as the previous introduction. The corridors are all paved with coarse salt grains, which has a unique flavor. Return to Xining at night and eat local earthen hot pot. Different from the hot pot in Beijing, the pot is like the pot in Beijing, and the cooking method is like a Northeast stew. All the meat and vegetables are stacked in a copper pot and cooked with charcoal fire.
On the sixth day, Zhangye Geopark, live in Jiuquan. On the way, we passed the highest point of this trip, Daban Pass at 3792.75 meters. Enter Gansu Province again from Qinghai Province. Passing by a town on the way, I heard from the villagers that this is a good place to enjoy rapeseed flowers, but now that the season is over, I bought some honey and milk skin from the villagers and went straight to Danxia Geopark. It was already afternoon, and there were not many people. I took a tour bus to enter the scenic area, and saw colorful, tall and short mountains, whether they were soil or stone mountains. They were so beautiful and shocking. The scenery that the world dare not have is bestowed on us by nature. However, the camera technology is not good. The pictures taken by the mobile phone cannot show its beauty at all. Later, I heard from a friend that it is the most beautiful time when the sun just rises in the morning. At that time, the colors are more colorful and colorful. gorgeous. Just think of yourself as a person in the painting and be intoxicated by it. "Three Shots Surprise" was filmed here.
On the seventh day, Mogao Grottoes, Mingsha Mountain, Crescent Spring, Jiayuguan, live in Jiuquan
After reading online reviews, the Populus euphratica forest in Ejina was not yet yellow, so we included Dunhuang in the itinerary. Speeding all the way on the wide road with few cars, there is little green, and there are traces left by time on both sides, which should be the Yadan landform. On the road, we passed Yumen (not Yumenguan) and Guazhou, which are places I heard about in ancient poems. The asphalt roads passing through them, the cars, pedestrians, and toll stations on the road are so modern, and the two worlds are peaceful and friendly. forward.
A long time ago, I read Yu Qiuyu's "Cultural Journey". The first two chapters introduced the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes, which also allowed me to start thinking about Dunhuang and Mogao Grottoes. Standing in front of the cave, I don’t have Yu Qiuyu’s deep admiration for being familiar with the history. I just want to face it quietly and listen to the wind, as if I am standing in the scene where the flags flutter, the long sleeves are wrapped around, the clouds are dense, and the human spirit is harmonious. middle. Yu Qiuyu said: To look at the Mogao Grottoes is not to look at specimens that have died for a thousand years, but to look at lives that have lived for a thousand years.
In the vast desert, that spring is full of vitality, tranquility, clear water, and fish can be seen. That ancient willow tree has seen visitors and sang ancient and modern songs. There used to be an ancient temple, which was destroyed and rebuilt. There is a spring in the sand, which is already amazing. The sand does not fall into the spring, and the spring water is clear, which is even more magical.
On the way back to Jiuquan, passing through Jiayuguan, it was already time to thank guests, so I had to visit outside the closed gate, but failed to see the most magnificent pass in the world. Jiayuguan is the westernmost pass of the Great Wall of Ming Dynasty and the traffic fortress of the ancient "Silk Road".
On the eighth day, Heicheng Ruins, Strange Forest, Populus euphratica Forest. Live in Ejina.
After returning from Dunhuang, I am still hesitating whether to go to Ejina. Looking at the itinerary from the map, the distance is less than 400 kilometers, and it shows that it will take eight or nine hours. It is the end of the holiday, and I am afraid that there will be too little time. While hesitating. The walkers who were eating at the table saw that we were discussing and told us that they had just returned from Ejina. Although it is not a highway, the road condition is still good and it will not take too long. That's what made us decide. From Jiuquan to Ejina, we took the Aerospace Road. Excluding the time for sightseeing, it took about four hours (I don’t know if there is a speed limit on the road, but we walked all the way). Pass by the satellite launch center. On the vast Gobi, there is only one road winding through it. Watch the sunrise, enjoy the wilderness, and listen to the wind.
The first stop is the ruins of Heicheng. The Heicheng ruins are the most complete and largest ancient city ruins on the ancient Silk Road. Walking in, in the long yellow sand, city walls, mosques, chapels, etc. stand in the wilderness. The wind was howling, the sun was dazzling, and the sand was hitting the face, making it almost impossible to open the glasses, and even to take pictures. It is unimaginable that this place used to be fertile and full of people...
The second stop is the strange forest. Pieces of dead Populus euphratica, Populus euphratica, will not die for a thousand years, will not fall for a thousand years after death, and will not rot for a thousand years after falling. A dead branch of a tree bends upwards, like a struggling arm before dying, struggling, trying hard, but helpless...Desolate and terrifying, let's see the living tree.
The third stop, Populus euphratica forest. It’s the last day of the National Day holiday, and the leaves are still not all yellow, some are golden yellow, some are yellow-green, and the water reflects the blue sky, white clouds and yellow trees. There are not many people in the scenic area, so it makes people feel very comfortable. You can take pictures while walking , Beside the stream, under the tree, in the forest, you can swim leisurely.
At this time, I just want to say that water is the source of all life
At the end of a day's sightseeing, there is no hustle and bustle. I bought a trunk of cantaloupe at an old couple's melon stall by the roadside. I can sell the fruit in my hands at the end of this holiday, and I will not be disappointed with the hard work of this season. The crowd had dispersed, and there were many vacant hotels, so we found a cleaner one to stay.
Ninth day, return journey. Not long after Ejina came out, he encountered a winding dirt road with many large trucks transporting goods, and there was a traffic jam on the way. Under the obstruction and command of his friends, the convoy started to move slowly. Here I have to proudly say that we Beijingers were stuck in a traffic jam for more than an hour, and we didn't know what was going on, so we had to get out of the car, and a friend from Beijing who was also in another car, braved the eye-catching dust, and gradually put the convoy away. Move smoothly, clear the driveway. Otherwise, I really don't know when the traffic jam will go. Look at the other traffic jams and people who are stuck there, they are all there in a daze, not in a hurry at all, it's not their business. Due to the traffic jam, I was unable to return to Beijing that day. I stayed in Baotou for one night, and specially went to the Little Sheep Main Store to reward myself. Back in Beijing the next day, I brought cantaloupe to my family to taste, and let my friends enjoy the beautiful scenery in the photos.
After thinking about writing this travel note, some of the scenery has faded. The feeling of enjoying the scenery at that time can no longer be experienced now, but there is always a certain detail that inadvertently appears in my mind, singing and laughing all the way, fighting all the way Nao Nao, encouraging each other all the way, taking care of each other all the way, time is gone, I hope all this is still as good as it used to be!
