The most beautiful self-driving route in July is the Qilian Grand Ring Road! The last rapeseed flowers in the country are here, so beautiful

On the border between Qinghai and Gansu, there is a great mountain range more than 800 kilometers long, which is the Qilian Mountains.

It is located on the border between Qinghai and Gansu. In ancient times, its existence created an oasis on the Silk Road. Today, it has become synonymous with the most beautiful scenery in the northwest.

Surrounding it are the most gorgeous grasslands and sea of ??flowers in Qinghai and Gansu provinces.

Not far from it is the famous Qinghai Lake. It is formed by the collapse of the fault between Datong Mountain, Riyue Mountain and Qinghai Nanshan in the Qilian Mountains. It is the largest and most beautiful saltwater lake in my country.

This month, the most beautiful season in the hinterland of Qilian is coming. The rapeseed flowers that only bloom in July and August decorate the entire dreamy summer.

What’s more important is that while all parts of the country are suffering from scorching heat, the temperature in most areas here is around 25°C, and even less than 20°C in some areas.

In July, it’s time to take a walk on the Qilian Great Ring Line!

Qilian Grand Ring Line

Xining→ Qinghai Lake→ Heima River→ Dachaidan→ Dunhuang→ Jiayuguan→ Zhangye→ Qilian Prairie→ Menyuan→ Xining

There are two names for this ring line on the Internet. Some people also call it the Northwest Ring Line. But there are so many beautiful scenery in the northwest, not just at the Qinghai-Gansu border, so it is more appropriate to call it the Qilian Great Ring Road.

If you want to have an overview of the greatest mountains,

then you must drive this route,

because on this road,

< p> There are too many majestic mountains hidden there.

Laji Mountain

People who have never been to the northwest have rarely heard of Laji Mountain. In fact, the scenery here is extremely gorgeous and is no worse than anywhere else.

The altitude here is nearly 4,000 meters, and the top of the peak is surrounded by snow lines. It is like a general's cold armor, shining with cold light and formidable.

In summer, it is covered with a layer of green. The fluttering wind-horse flag flutters on the ridge, sacred and quiet.

#Coordinates #: Guide County, Hainan Prefecture, Qinghai Province

Riyue Mountain

This is one of the most important peaks in the Qilian Mountains. Normally, it would just look taller. Viewed from a distance, the cold light doesn't make it stand out.

When summer comes, this place looks completely different. While the flowers in other parts of the country have long since withered, the sea of ??flowers at the foot of the Riyue Mountain is unbridledly beautiful.

And if you have the patience to shoot some starry skies in Riyue Mountain, you will definitely get the most satisfactory work. The fluttering wind horse flag under the gorgeous starry sky is simply the most dreamy fairy tale scene.

However, it should be noted that even in summer, the wind here is very strong and the temperature is low. Be sure to pay attention to your clothing when visiting here.

#Coordinates#: Riyueshan Village, Huangyuan County, Xining City

Zhuoer Mountain

If you arrive in Qilian, you must not miss Zhuoer Mountain, because The most gorgeous peaks in Qilian are here.

The magical Zhuoer Mountain is actually a Danxia landform mountain. Although it is not as beautiful as the Danxia and red clouds in the south, the majestic mountains and the strange colors are particularly magnificent.

And when summer comes, the grass here is green and rapeseed flowers are in full bloom. In addition to fortitude, there is also tenderness, which makes people deeply fascinated.

The undulating mountains, like a woman's lying waist, are particularly stunning and enchanting in this lush summer.

#Coordinates#: Babao Town, Qilian County, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province

Niuxin Mountain

Niuxin Mountain and Zhuoer Mountain are neighbors, they are separated from each other Facing each other across a river. For thousands of years, they were like two tireless generals, guarding the northwest gate.

It is colder and steeper than Zhuoer Mountain. Amidst the misty clouds, it is like a god descending to earth, looking down at all living beings below.

They are not far from the county seat, and you can see the towering mountains from the city. If you go to Qinghai, don’t miss it, even if you just take a look at it quietly on the roadside.

#Coordinates#: 2 kilometers southeast of Qilian County, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province

If you think the mountains are too formidable

Then you can still see it Look at the tender flowing water

On this route,

Qinghai Lake is not the only thing that can amaze you

Qinghai Lake

In July, the most beautiful thing about Qinghai Lake is no longer the crystal clear water, but the endless sea of ??brilliant flowers.

July to August is its most beautiful time. Thousands of acres of rapeseed flowers are in full bloom around the lake. The golden rapeseed flowers are inlaid on the shore of the blue Qinghai Lake. Riding a lap on the road is the most pleasant.

Beautiful Qinghai, these four words are definitely not lies. The clear, pure and vast Qinghai Lake is like a fairyland on earth, and you can see it for thousands of years.

Dachaidan Emerald Lake

Speaking of the realm of the sky, you probably think of Chaka Salt Lake. In fact, there is another beautiful salt lake in Qinghai, which is the Dachaidan Emerald Lake.

It is located in the salt lake mining area of ??Dachaidan Chemical Plant and is still a virgin land to be developed. There is no direct public transport here, the best way is to drive by yourself.

Compared to the Chaka Salt Lake, which is crowded with tourists, it is quiet here, like an alley in the middle of the night. There is only the sound of the wind passing over the hills. The rippling emerald lake water makes people wonder whether it is in the desert. In a dream.

#Coordinates#: Within the Salt Lake Mining Area of ??the former Dachaidan Chemical Plant in Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province (11.8 kilometers away from Dachaidan Town)

Shuishui Yadan

The strange Yadan is as strange as the devil's city. And if this hellish scene is covered with a layer of lake water, it will reveal another style.

The lake, Yadan, and sky all merge together to create a strange light and shadow effect, which is desolate, majestic, and charming.

Photography/Bafen Laoqu

Water erosion and weathering, under the power of nature, make this place look particularly magical. The important thing is that although this place is known as the Yadan Devil City on the water, it is quieter than elsewhere, with very few tourists.

Photography/Bafen Laoqu

#Coordinates#: Within Delingha, next to National Highway 315, about 50km from Dongtai Toll Station

In Qi Moon, the most charming thing about this route

is not the mountains or the lakes,

it is the endless sea of ??flowers.

Menyuan

This is the largest rapeseed flower base in Qinghai. 600,000 acres of rapeseed flowers sway in the wind under the vast sky, looking particularly majestic.

There is no gap in this vast sea of ??flowers. Golden rapeseed flowers are everywhere on the hillsides and in the fields. The green highland barley is mixed in, like a colorful picture scroll, very spectacular.

The wooden houses are located in it, like a beautiful fairy tale world.

Here, even if you do nothing, just stand quietly among the flowers, you will still have a "fairy" atmosphere.

Qilian Flower Sea

If you are lucky enough to visit Qilian County, you will definitely be obsessed with the sight before you. The endless sea of ??flowers blooms enthusiastically, the blue sky and white clouds float freely, everything is so beautiful.

·Every year in July and August, the grassland turns golden, and driving on it is like driving into a golden picture.

Photography/Bafen Weiyang

More than two thousand years ago, the Xiongnu were driven out of the Hexi Corridor by Huo Qubing and lamented: "The loss of my Qilian Mountains has deprived my six animals of their lives." This grassland has been a holy land in people's hearts since ancient times.

Photography/Bafen Weiyang

Looking down are the herds of cattle and sheep, and looking up is the blue sky. And starting from July, the vast sea of ??flowers makes people fall in love with this place even more. reason.

#Coordinates#: Qilian County, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province

Take this route

You should also take a look at the former Silk Road< /p>

In the vast yellow sand

The sound of camels and bells sings an eternal dream

Dunhuang

The Feitian mural is the symbol here , Mogao Grottoes is the essence here. In Dunhuang, there are too many monuments waiting for you to explore.

The prosperous days of the Han and Tang Dynasties created so many cultural treasures, and if you want to exhaust them all, you must go to Dunhuang.

Go for a walk on the Mingsha Mountain and look for the prosperous Han and Tang Dynasty in the sound of camel bells.

The strange Crescent Moon Spring is known as "the most beautiful scenery outside the Great Wall". If you are lucky enough to visit Dunhuang, don't miss it.

Jiayuguan

When embarking on this Silk Road, you cannot miss the ancient pass. The howling wind and sand flying in the desert seemed to be telling unknown legendary stories.

The majestic Jiayuguan Pass is known as the most majestic pass in the world. It once guarded the throat of Hexi and protected the entire hinterland of the Central Plains.

However, this important beacon site in ancient times has also shone brightly in history.

Yangguan and Yumenguan, one is in the south and the other is in the north. Famous at home and abroad, his love is connected with the past and the present. Visiting this famous border place, the distant history seems to be unfolding in front of you, and the golden armies and iron horses shine through the past and present.

Like Yumen Pass, there are only a few ruins left in Yangguan today. But they are scenic spots that cannot be ignored on the Silk Road and are worth exploring.

#Coordinates #: Dunhuang, Gansu

Zhangye

If you go to Gansu, Zhangye is also one of the must-see places. It was named Zhangye because "the arm of Zhang State connected with the Western Regions". In ancient times, it was one of the most dazzling pearls on the Silk Road.

Today, the strange Zhangye Danxia has long been famous both at home and abroad. Its majestic momentum, spectacular scenes, strange shapes, and colorful colors all make people marvel and shock.

Red, yellow, white, gray... ravines of various colors covered the earth, as if a rainbow capsized from the sky and fell on the earth.

It is like a paint tray that God knocked over, extremely beautiful. The hills and ravines, coupled with the colorful colors, immediately become mysterious and make you admire the uncanny craftsmanship of nature.

In July, flowers have already bloomed like a sea under the Qilian Mountains

While the heat is unbearable in other places,

The junction of Qingshan and Gansu is extremely cool.

If you are looking for a place to escape the heat,

Qilian Grand Ring Road is undoubtedly the best choice

Recommended itinerary:

Day1: Xining —Tambum Monastery—Laji Mountain—Riyue Mountain—Qinghai Lake—Heima River

Day2: Heima River—Chaka Salt Lake—Delingha—Dachaidan Town

Day3: Dachaidan Dan—Shui Yadan—Yangguan—Dunhuang

Day4: One-day tour of Dunhuang

Day5: Dunhuang—Jiayuguan—Zhangye

Day6: Zhangye—Qilian

Day7: Qilian-Menyuan-Xining

Travel tips:

1. The altitude near Qilian Mountain may be higher, with an average of about 3,000 meters. Slightly high reflex.

2. The temperature in the general area of ??this route is cool. If you are hiking, the wind will be strong on the mountain, so bring necessary clothes to avoid catching a cold.

3. The temperature in Dunhuang and other areas is relatively high. It has been above 30℃ in July, which is quite different from other places. Please choose clothing carefully.

4. The above itinerary is for reference only and does not necessarily cover 7 days. It depends on everyone’s time budget.