foreword

If you don't go to the Northwest, how do you know that the scenery of China is so beautiful?

"There are only four cultural systems in the world with a long history, vast territory, self-contained system, and far-reaching influence: China, India, Greece, and Islam. There is no fifth one. And there is only one place where these four cultural systems meet, which is Hexi, China. Corridor, there is no second." 111 Ji Xianlin

Everyone has traveled to many places in their life and seen countless beautiful scenery, how many can they remember in their hearts?

Itinerary: The first day: Nantong - Yangzhou - Lanzhou Live in Lanzhou;

           The next day: Lanzhou - Qinghai Lake - Chaka Town (378KM/6h; 150KM/2.5h) live in Chaka Town;

           Day 3: Chaka Town - Dachaidan (398KM/6h) live in Dachaidan;

           Day 4: Dachaidan - Emerald Lake - Yumenguan Site - Yadan Geopark - Dunhuang (11KM/0.5h; 373KM/5.5h; 71.6KM/1h; 163KM/2.5h) live in Dunhuang;

           Day 5: Dunhuang Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring; Mogao Grottoes, live in Dunhuang;

            Day 6: Dunhuang - Jiayuguan (370KM/4h) live in Jiayuguan;

            Day 7: Jiayuguan——Zhangye Colorful Danxia Town (213KM/3.5h) live in Danxia Town;

            Day 8: Danxia Town—Qilian Zhuoer Mountain—Biandukou—Menyuan—Huazangsi Town (242.5KM/4.5h; 379KM/7h) live in Huazangsi Town

           Day 9: Huazangsi Town - Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport - Nantong.

Itinerary description: 1. The Great Ring Road can be turned clockwise or counterclockwise, mainly determined according to the weather conditions; 2. The original plan was to go to Shandan Army Racecourse or Jiuquan Launch Center, because there was no preparation Work (it is said that the unit is required to prove that you can enter), so the itinerary changes at any time.

Date: June 1-9

Number of people: 8 people

Transportation: fly to Lanzhou, rent a car.

Expenses: Transportation expenses (air tickets, car rental) per capita: 1450 yuan, accommodation fees: 793 yuan, scenic spot tickets (including scenic area fares) 1348 yuan, meal costs 499 yuan.

1. Qinghai Lake

Depart from Lanzhou at 7:30 in the morning, after more than 5 hours of driving, arrive at Erlangjian Scenic Spot in Qinghai Lake at 1:00 pm, and buy tickets on Ctrip to enter the scenic spot. (The original plan was to go to Zhuoer Mountain first, but due to the weather, we chose to go to Qinghai Lake first)

After playing for more than 3 hours, we continued to drive westward, arrived at Chaka Town at 8:00 pm, and checked into the hotel we reserved. There are many hotels and homestays in the town. During the off-season, you can stay at any time without booking.

2. Chaka Salt Lake

The B&B we live in is on the east side of Chaka Town, not far from the Salt Lake Scenic Area. I can see the aerial viewing platform and other buildings in the Salt Lake Scenic Area from the three-story room where I live.

After eating a good breakfast, we set off around 7:30 and arrived at the parking lot of the visitor center in less than 20 minutes by car. I used a letter of introduction to the team ticket window to buy tickets and small train tickets without waiting. After checking the ticket to enter the scenic spot, we waited for a few minutes to get on the small train leading to the salt lake. This kind of small train for mining and transporting salt has now become a very good mode of transportation in the scenic spot. It took us to the farthest lake center in ten minutes. small island. (There are two salt lake scenic spots in Chaka Town, and there is also Chaka Sky One. We only went to one, and the other one was newly built and opened. The driver said it was not bad).

At around 12 noon, we came out of the Salt Lake Scenic Area and had lunch in the small town. Then go to the next stop, Dachaidan Town. The driver is working hard. We are tired from playing and full, so we just rest and sleep in the car.

At around 8 o'clock in the evening, I checked into the hotel in Dachaidan Town before dark, because the accommodation was booked late and the price was not cheap.

The driver recommended that there is an Emerald Lake near Dachaidan, and Nanbaxian Yadan (also known as Qinghai Yadan) a little farther away, and Water Yadan 200 kilometers away. I compared it on the Internet, and the Emerald Lake is not bad. No tickets, Nanbaxian and Shuishang Yadan do not go, choose Yadan Geopark and Yumenguan Ruins Park in Dunhuang.

3. Emerald Lake, Liuge Expressway, Yumenguan Ruins, Dunhuang Yadan Devil City

emerald lake

It is more than 10 kilometers away from the small town of Dachaidan. After breakfast, it takes more than ten minutes to drive there. Emerald Lake is just a brine lake in the mining area on the edge of Dachaidanmu Lake. From a distance, it looks like a few small pools. When you get close, you can’t help marvel.

Net Red Highway

After playing in Emerald Lake for nearly two hours, the car drove on the Liuge Expressway and continued westward. At noon, we passed by Aksai County. At a Qingxiang restaurant, everyone ordered a bowl of noodles and finished eating. Continue on the road, because the driver reminded that if you are late, you will not be able to enter the Yadan Geopark.

However, by accident, I forgot my coat and ID card in the restaurant. When I found it, I had already driven tens of kilometers north. Clothes are a trivial matter. I don’t have an ID card. It’s troublesome. It’s happening near Yumen Pass these days During the military exercise, people who come and go have to check their ID cards. Someone reminded them to find the name of the restaurant and the contact number from the payment WeChat (the network on the road is not good, so I asked a friend to help). After asking, the clothes were still there, so I had to go back , Time is precious during travel. Worrying about time constraints, I wasted more than an hour.

Yumenguan Ruins

"The Yellow River is far above the white clouds, an isolated city of Wanren Mountain. Why should the Qiang flute complain about the willows? The spring breeze does not pass through the Yumen Pass." Another poem is Wang Wei's "Weicheng Song": "Weicheng is rainy in the morning and dust is light, and the inn is green and willows are new. I advise you to drink more wine, and go west to Yangguan without any old friends." When I was in school, I imagined the desolation of Yumen Pass and the loneliness of Yangguan.

When approaching Yumen Pass and encountering a checkpoint, the armed police first check the ID card (checked N times along the way), and then buy tickets for Yumen Pass before you can go to Yadan. Tickets are 40 yuan/person, including Yumen Pass, Han Great Wall, and Hecang City. But you don't need to buy the 50 yuan scenic spot transportation fee.

Some people on the Internet said that this scenic spot is deceptive and there is nothing to see. Then, facing this small square mound, I heard the sound of camel bells in my ears, as if I saw a caravan full of silk tea leaves walking out of the border...

After stopping at the Yumenguan site for nearly an hour, we continued our journey.

Yardang Geopark

Although the road condition of this section of road is very good, there are few vehicles passing by, but the speed limit is 60, and the speed is measured in a 36-kilometer section. After driving too fast, you can only stop and wait for time. I think it is a good opportunity to take pictures. road photos.

Dunhuang Yardang Geopark

Geopark tickets are 50 yuan/person, sightseeing tickets are 70 yuan/person. After 6:00 pm, we arrived at the ticket office of the park. Although it was not the peak season, there were still many tourists. Fortunately, there was no need to wait in line. We got on the latest sightseeing bus today, and there were guides on each bus to explain the attractions.

The second stop is "Sphinx". According to the tour guide, Dunhuang Yadan is located in the Tarim Basin, which belongs to the ancient Lop Nur and has a huge area. The large sand grains on the ground can prevent the wind from blowing away the fine sand below. Because it is rich in minerals, it turns black after being exposed to the sun (I don’t remember anything else)...

The third sightseeing point is "West Sea Fleet". The scene of "West Sea Fleet" is relatively large. Many long-shaped Yadans are arranged together, which really looks like a giant fleet. But I can't take pictures on flat ground, and the light is not suitable. Unfortunately, I lost my memory card and there are no pictures.

If you rent a jeep for 400 yuan/car, you can change to a small car and continue to visit the fourth sightseeing spot. From the pictures you see on the Internet, these scenery are the most beautiful. We are short on time, so we can’t see it, so we have to save it for the next time up.

On the return trip, the tour guide on the bus told us that the wind is small today, so we can play freely in the scenic area, take pictures at will, and the sunset is also very beautiful. Everyone is very lucky. Most of the time, the wind speed here is strong, accompanied by sandstorms, the wind shuttles between the Yadans, and it will make devil-like noises. It is called the Devil City, so we have to hide in the car to avoid the wind.

Back at the visitor center, it was already 9:30 p.m. when the driver picked us up, and everyone didn’t bother to have dinner, and rushed to the downtown area of ​​Dunhuang where we lived today in the dark. Arrive at the hotel around 12:00. I was really tired, so I didn't eat dinner and went straight to sleep.

4. Dunhuang

Located at the western end of the Hexi Corridor, Dunhuang has a typical warm temperate arid climate. There are Sanwei Mountains in the east, Mingsha Mountain in the south, desert and Lop Nor in the west, and Gobi in the north, connecting with the rest of the Tianshan Mountains. In the Dunhuang Basin, the alluvial fan of the Dang River and the alluvial plain of the Shule River are nourished by melted snow and groundwater, forming a valuable desert oasis.

Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring

After breakfast at around 7:00, we arrived at Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring Scenic Area at the end of Mingshan Road in the southern suburb of Dunhuang City.

Why does Mingsha Mountain make sand noise? The quartz sand grains under sunlight will generate static electricity, and the charged sand grains will rub against each other under the action of external force; The bottom is amplified; under the scorching sun in summer, after the sand layer is heated, the internal air is discharged along the gap between the sand grains due to expansion, and the sound is caused when the sand grains collide with each other.

Why is there always spring water in such a dry desert? There are two reasons: 1. Dunhuang, which is located in the desert, has a river of life—the Dang River. Crescent Moon Spring was originally a section of the Gudang River. After thousands of twists and turns, this section of the river was gradually buried, leaving this spring alone, relying on the supply of underground undercurrents, so it will not dry up or rot for thousands of years. 2. There is a big gap in the northeast of Crescent Lake, forming an air inlet. East and northwest winds are often blowing here. After the strong wind brings yellow sand into the tuyere, the wind will make a centrifugal upswing along the surrounding hillsides, blowing all the quicksand to the top of the mountain and throwing it to the other side of the mountain. Therefore, the sand will not flow into the spring water Crescent Spring.

After playing for a long time, I didn’t leave Mingsha Mountain until noon. I went back to the hotel where I was staying, found a restaurant for lunch, and then took a rest. At 3 o’clock in the afternoon, I arrived on time at the Mogao Grottoes Digital Exhibition Center, which is 9 kilometers east of Dunhuang City. .

Because we reserved tickets, we got off the bus and went to the digital display center to pick up the tickets and watch the movie. The tickets are all real-name and must be reserved in advance, because the tickets are limited, and an ID card is required when picking up the tickets. The movie is 40 minutes, divided into " The Millennium Mogao Grottoes and Dream Buddhist Palace, the former introduces the origin of Dunhuang and Mogao Grottoes, and the latter introduces the murals of Buddha statues. It was in the cinema hall of Universal Screen and was deeply impressed by the theater effect. After the movie, take the scenic bus to visit the cave area 20 kilometers away.

The Mogao Grottoes, together with the Yungang Grottoes in Datong, Shanxi, the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, Henan, and the Maijishan Grottoes in Tianshui, Gansu, are also known as the Four Great Grottoes in China. Each cave in Mogao Grottoes is a trinity comprehensive art of cave architecture, painted sculpture and painting. The largest cave is more than 200 square meters, and the smallest is less than 1 square meter. The caves mainly include meditation caves, central tower pillar caves, Buddhist altar caves, Buddhist altar caves, Nirvana caves, seven Buddha caves, and large statue caves. Ticket A has to be bought in advance, and an appointment is required. Ticket B can only see 4 caves, but it is also representative, and there are many people. Fortunately, we come in the off-season and do not need to queue up.

After the visit, I went back to the Digital Exhibition Center on the side of Yangguan Avenue, had some food at a small roadside restaurant, and then, under the urging of the driver, went outside the theater ahead of time and waited to watch Wang Chaoge's "See You Again" at 8 o'clock. Dunhuang".

Maybe I’m tired during the day, and it’s been more than ten hours since I set off at 7 am to watch the show at night. At this time, I just want to sit and sit, but most of the content of the show is constantly changing venues, and the audience has to walk around. It is tall and there are many people, so the effect is greatly reduced. In addition, the fare feels a bit expensive.

The Bouncing Pipa Statue is a symbol of Dunhuang City. It is located in the center of the Zhengyuan Flower Bed and Round Island in the urban area. It was seen on the way back to the hotel after the performance.

5. Jiayuguan

The location of Jiayuguan is the westernmost pass in the Hexi Corridor in the west of Gansu Province (the Hexi Corridor continues to extend westward). The western part of Gansu is already a desert area, and the Hexi Corridor is sandwiched between the majestic Qilian Mountains and Beishan Mountains, with a length of about 1,000 kilometers from east to west. An ancient road runs through the Gobi and alluvial plains at the foot of the Qilian Mountains, where the ancient "Silk Road" is located.

From Dunhuang to Jiayuguan, more than 380 kilometers, passing through Guazhou along the way (because of the long sunshine hours, all kinds of fruits are sweet and delicious). Passing by a large melon and fruit wholesale market, the driver stayed for a while, and the fruit in the market was free to eat, and he even bought some dried fruits to take home. Arrive at Jiayuguan Gate Tower at 2:00 pm and start to play.

hanging wall

"Wanli Pass of the Great Wall, with stacked barriers and black mountains and dark walls hanging." The Hanging Wall is part of Jiayuguan. It is located on the northern slope of Heishan Mountain on the north side of Shiguan Gorge, 8 kilometers north of Jiayuguan City. Built in the 18th year of Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty (1539), it was called the "Duanbi Great Wall" in ancient times, and commonly known as the "Duanbi Great Wall".

When we came out of Jiayuguan, the driver took us to the hanging wall of the Great Wall. Since ancient times, the poem "If you don't reach the Great Wall, you are not a hero", has attracted many people to climb the Great Wall. Our group also happened to experience being a good man.

The driver told us that his family lives in Yumenguan City, and his middle school is in Jiayuguan Middle School. It turns out that this is the ruins of the Suspended Great Wall. When he was in school, the Great Wall was being restored here. The school required students to participate. He also moved a lot of bricks up the mountain. He said that moving bricks was very tiring. At the beginning, he could move four bricks together, but in the end he could only move one brick upwards.

East Lake Park

Because Donghu Park is near the hotel where we stayed, after dinner, at around 20:30, I came to Donghu Ecological Park under the guidance of the restaurant proprietress.

5. Zhangye

After breakfast, we left Jiayuguan City, and we set off for Zhangye along the Hexi Corridor.

The beautiful scenery of the Hexi Corridor is endless.

Zhangye

Both Danxia Geological Park and Binggou Danxia Park are located in Linze and Sunan County at the northern foot of Qilian Mountains, 40 kilometers away from Zhangye City. Binggou Danxia is full of strange peaks and styles, both of which have their own characteristics.

The colorful town looks like it has just been washed

At around 11:00 noon, we arrived at the colorful town, the town is clean and the roads are spacious. The function of this small town is the scenic spot service area, providing food and accommodation. We found a place to book accommodation to put down our luggage. After lunch, the driver suggested that the temperature in the scenic area is a bit high. We should rest first and recharge our energy before playing. Therefore, we rested for more than an hour, and then went to Binggou Danxia Scenic Area.

Zhangye Binggou Danxia Park

Colorful Danxia Park

The driver reminded us that it is more convenient to go from the north entrance or the west entrance, and there are many shuttle buses. We chose to enter from the north entrance and take the shuttle bus in the order of: Colorful Xianyuan Terrace—Qicai Yunhai Terrace—Qicai Jinxiu Terrace—Qicaihongxia Terrace.

Colorful Fairy Terrace

Although the area of ​​Qicai Xianyuan Taishan Mountain is small, the essence of color forms colorful pictures against the background of blue sky and white clouds. The clear texture and colorful colors give us a visual impact and a kind of inner shock.

Colorful Cloud Terrace

Colorful Xiatai

The Rainbow Observation Deck is the most colorful part of the scenic spot, just like the colorful clouds falling on the hills. Against the background of the sunset, the colors are particularly gorgeous, so it is the best place to watch the sunset. The viewing platform mainly has scenic spots such as Shenlong Xihuo, Shengui Wentian, and Little Potala Palace. This is an Internet celebrity spot with excellent sunset viewing, and there are many tourists watching it.

In addition, there are two viewing platforms, Colorful Aohe Terrace and Vientiane Earth Forest Valley, which are newly opened viewing spots, and the fees are very expensive.

Many famous scenic spots such as Zhangjiajie and Jiuzhaigou were discovered and disseminated by photographers, as was Zhangye Danxia landform. In April 2002, a local named Lei Xingyi came across photographers from other provinces to collect scenery in the place where he herded sheep. He said, "You can go to the mountains to see the colorful mountains". This view has made the current Zhangye Danxia National Geopark.

At around 8:30, we left the scenic area and found the restaurant for lunch. Thinking that it was the Dragon Boat Festival today, we were so happy that we ordered a few more local specialties and a few bottles of wine. Today is to play well and eat well.

7. Drow Mountain

The original plan was that we were going to Shandan Army Racecourse, but I heard that there was no proof that we could not enter. We temporarily changed the itinerary and visited Zhuoer Mountain. Hard work, everyone is tired, but there is no better choice at this time. Set off to Qilian Zhuoer Mountain.

Minle Biandukou

G227 National Road

Qilian County, known as the "Oriental Little Switzerland", is located 300km northwest of Xining, close to the edge of Qinghai Province.

Coming out of the Zhuoer Mountain Scenic Area, it was already past 1 pm. Which way to go back to Lanzhou? The driver chose S302. This road passes through Menyuan Huahai, Tianzhu Huazang Temple and other places. It is a scenic road. Suitable for self-driving leisure travel. In particular, there is a section along Shimengou, where the ditch turns and the green hills also turn. There are many interesting places along the river, such as the Three Gorges Forest Park, Shimengou Grassland Park, Yuershan Park, etc. I heard that my old The students played here for two days.

At 3 o'clock in the afternoon, passing by Qingshizui Town, Menyuan, some people wanted to eat hand-caught mutton, and they were hungry, so we found a mutton restaurant and had a delicious meal.

At around 10 o'clock in the evening, when passing through a town, everyone felt too tired, so they found a farmhouse on the side of the road to stay. Some people fell asleep without eating anything, so I made a bag of instant noodles for a while.

8. Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport

The next day, I checked it on my mobile phone. This is Huazangsi Town, where the county government is located in Tianzhu County. The experts in the store found that the beef here was high-quality and cheap, and checked the purchase order to confirm that the quality was guaranteed. Everyone picked good beef and bought a lot. The store knew that we had to go a long way, and enthusiastically helped with vacuum packaging.

Yanzhi Mountain and Wushao Ridge are not far from here. If I have time, I really want to go.

More than an hour later, we arrived at Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport. The time was still early. The driver took us to eat authentic Lanzhou Ramen and flew to Nantong Xingdong Airport at 2 o'clock in the afternoon.

Under the air conditioner, in front of the computer, looking at photos... Will my dream tonight be on the cool grassland of Qilian Mountains?