The best road trip routes in the Northwest

The northwest region of China is very large, has a very special and complex geographical and natural environment, and is rarely inhabited. It’s a great place for self-driving adventures and attracts young self-driving enthusiasts from Dapo every year. Here is a detailed road trip itinerary.

Self-driving on the Silk Road

The Silk Road was a land commercial and trade channel connecting the hinterland of China and Europe. It was formed from the 2nd century BC to the 1st century AD and was used until the 16th century. . It is the main road for economic, political and cultural exchanges between the East and the West.

Recommended route:

D1: Xi'an

Xi'an Tour Tangxi Market Museum, Bell and Drum Tower Square, landmark buildings in the city center of Xi'an; Hui people Snack street, free tasting of Xi'an's time-honored specialty snacks: beef and mutton dumplings, cold skin, meat buns, etc. Stay at the hotel.

D2: Shaanxi History Museum-Daci'en Temple-Qin Shihuang Mausoleum Museum

Go to visit 113,000 fine cultural relics unearthed in Shaanxi, vividly and systematically displaying the history from 1.15 million years ago to At the Shaanxi History Museum in 1840 AD, we visited the Tang Cultural Square of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and admired the largest waterscape musical fountain square in Asia. After lunch, we drove to Lintong and visited the eighth wonder of the world - Qin Shihuang Mausoleum Museum;

Visit China's earliest, most complete, highest-grade, and best-made bronzes - Terracotta Warriors and Horses Pit No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3: Bronze Chariot and Horse Exhibition Hall; visit Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum and Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum Heritage Park.

D3: Xi'an - Tianshui (Xi'an - Tianshui one-way 350 kilometers)

Go to Famen Temple Cultural Scenic Area, a Buddhist holy place where the relics of Sakyamuni Buddha are collected, and enjoy the 148-meter folding At the pagoda, you can admire the unique finger bone relics of the Buddha and recreate the glorious Buddhist style in the prosperous times. Then, drive to Tianshui and enjoy the natural scenery along the way!

D4: Maijishan-Fuxi Temple

Go to the Maijishan Grottoes, known as the Oriental Sculpture Museum. Maiji Mountain is named because the mountain resembles a mound where farmers grow wheat. Surrounded by trees, it has a quiet environment and beautiful scenery. It is the best place among the many grottoes in China.

Among them, there are Seven Buddha Pavilion, Ten Thousand Buddhas Cave, Niu Er Hall, Ji Ling, etc. are the most famous). Then, visit China's first temple to worship ancestors - Fuxi Temple, which is the largest and best-preserved Ming Dynasty architectural complex in China to commemorate Fu, one of the ancient "Huang San".

D5: Tianshui-Lanzhou (Tianshui-Lanzhou one-way 310 kilometers)

Tianshui drive to Lanzhou and visit the Gansu Provincial Museum. This is a comprehensive museum. From fossil specimens in the Cretaceous to the painted pottery culture of the Paleolithic and Neolithic Ages; bronzes, ceramics and jades since the Shang and Zhou dynasties to the Silk Road civilization of the Han and Tang Dynasties; including porcelain, wood carvings, silk fabrics, paintings, etc. from the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.

010-10, drive from Lanzhou to Wuwei to visit Leitai Han Tomb. In 1969, local farmers discovered a large masonry tomb from the late Eastern Han Dynasty under the old locust tree in Leitai. It is famous at home and abroad for the unearthed Chinese tourism symbols, national treasures, horse-riding swallows, and 99 cast bronze chariots and horses and iron cavalry (horse warrior rituals), forming a well-equipped bronze chariot and cavalry phalanx in the Eastern Han Dynasty.

Then visit Wuwei Confucian Temple Wuwei Confucian Temple, also known as the Holy Temple and Confucius Temple, is the largest Confucius Temple in the northwest. It is a temple built to worship Confucius, a great thinker and educator in the Spring and Autumn Period of my country. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it was known as the "Crown of Study Houses in the Northwest". It was a holy place for Liangzhou literati to worship Confucius. It is the largest and best-preserved Confucius temple in the northwest and one of the three largest Confucius temples in the country.

D6: Lanzhou-Wuwei (280 kilometers one way from Lanzhou to Wuwei)

Take a bus from Wuwei to Zhangye to visit Zhangye Colorful Danxia. The Danxia landform was formed 6 million years ago and is located in Linze and Sunan counties of Zhangye City, covering an area of ??approximately 510 square kilometers.

It is the only complex area of ??Danxia landforms and colorful hilly landscapes in China. It was rated as one of the seven most beautiful Danxia landforms in China by "China National Geographic" magazine.

From 2010 to 1010, Zhang Qian visited Jiayuguan Gate Tower, which was the westernmost starting point of the Great Wall in the Ming Dynasty, an important military fortress along the Great Wall line, the first pass in Hexi, and the only pass on the ancient Silk Road. . As we all know

D7: Wuwei-Zhangye (Wuwei-Zhangye one-way 240 kilometers)

Go to Dunhuang from Jiayuguan to visit the desert wonders Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring. Riding a camel, you can enjoy the magical beauty of sand and springs. The sand does not cover the springs and the springs do not dry up. The charm of sandboarding or skydiving is endless.

D8: Zhangye-Jiayu Pass (260 kilometers one way from Zhangye to Jiayuguan)

Go to Yangguan, which is the throat of land transportation in ancient China and the only way to pass through the Southern Silk Road . It is located near the antique beach in the southwest of Dunhuang City, Gansu Province. The Pass of the Western Han Dynasty is named after it is located to the south of Yumen Pass.

Yumen Pass was the gateway for transportation in the Western Regions at that time. After the tour, visit Yumen Pass: Yumen Pass, also known as Pan Xiaofang, is located on a sand dune 90 kilometers northwest of Dunhuang City. Guancheng, square and well-preserved, is the throat of the Silk Road leading to the North Road.

Visit Yadan Ghost City: Yadan Uygur means steep mound with city walls, which is a wind-eroded landform in arid areas. Dunhuang people commonly call it "Ghost City", hence the name "Yadan Ghost City".

This Yadan landform community far exceeds the scale and shape defined in the dictionary. Its individual and overall scale and peculiar shape are rare in the world. You can enjoy the scenery along the way. After the tour, check into the hotel and rest!

D9: Jiayuguan-Dunhuang (Jiayuguan-Dunhuang one-way 370 kilometers)

After breakfast, visit the Mogao Grottoes, a world-famous cultural heritage and Buddhist art treasure house, which was first built by Fu Jian II of the former Qin Dynasty Year (366 AD). It has 492 caves, more than 45,000 square meters of murals and more than 2,000 colorful statues. It is an art palace integrating ancient architecture, sculptures and murals, commonly known as Thousand Buddha Cave.

Nine Colors of Gannan, Self-driving on Locke Road

Zuirenyan Road won the Gold Medal of the Central Humanities Line with the highest number of votes in the 2015 self-driving route selection, and was listed as one of the 36 self-driving routes in the country. one. It is the road that made Locke Jiahui, the first explorer of Northwest China, forget to return, and it is the road that amazes today's self-driving passengers. It is the most beautiful self-driving route in the world.

From Hehe to Zhuoni, the 100 kilometers along the provincial highway S306 can be called a world-class landscape, with rolling grasslands, quiet temples, and quiet snow-capped mountains. The scenery is picturesque and awe-inspiring. In particular, the road is full of fun, with cattle and sheep crossing it, and there is no danger. It is a golden route for experienced travelers to linger on.

Recommended route:

D10: Yangguan-Yumen Pass-Yadan (Dunhuang-Yumen Pass 90 kilometers one way)

Arrived in Lanzhou and visited the Yellow River in the world Zhongshan Iron Bridge, known as the "First Bridge"; currently the most beautiful sculpture of the Yellow River, the mother river of the Chinese nation, is the Mother of the Yellow River. Then we visited the Ancient Waterwheel Park. Lanzhou Waterwheel, also known as "Crown Car", "Turnover Car", "Filling Car" and "Tiger Car", originated in the Ming Dynasty.

D11: Mogao Grottoes

Go to Xiahe to visit Labrang Monastery, one of the Sixth Patriarch Temple of Tibetan Buddhism. Buleng Monastery is one of the six major monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism and the largest monastery in Gansu and Qinghai regions. It has a majestic main hall, a simple and tidy monk's residence, lamas coming and going, wearing humanistic cassocks, and devout Tibetans walking around the prayer wheel, reciting scriptures.

Let you be in a Buddhist country and experience the breadth and depth of Tibetan Buddhism. After that, I visited the beautiful grassland Sanke Grassland, which was helped by the legendary Tibetan hero King Gesar, and rode my horse and whip, enjoying the beautiful scenery of the grassland and intending to cooperate.

D1: Lanzhou

Re-take the road of Locke! Along the way, visit one of the famous Tibetan Buddhist temples in Amdo, the magnificent Milarepa Pavilion, which has nine floors. It is dedicated to the founders of various schools of Tibetan Buddhism, mainly Milarepa and his disciples. There are 1,720 statues of Buddha, Bodhisattvas, Dharma protectors, etc., mainly Vajra.

The scenery of Nida Yugou, a century-old Tibetan village in Niba Village, will make you feel the beauty of tranquility. Niba Tibetan Village, which has gone through vicissitudes for hundreds of years, still retains a strong religious atmosphere. Its architectural format is unique, well-preserved, and spectacular in scale and momentum. Afterwards, we climbed over Guanggai Mountain and headed to the natural stone city, Zagana, a paradise!

D2: Lanzhou-Xiahe-Labrang Monastery

After breakfast, enjoy the morning light of Zagana. The smoky, ancient and rustic pedal houses of Zagana are surrounded by towering stone mountains. , the towering stone forest of Shangpa

Zhaga means stone gate in Tibetan, and its original meaning is "in the stone box". It is a completely natural "stone city". In 2006, it was approved as a provincial geological park, and in 2009, it was rated as one of the "Top Ten Unpopular Mountains" by "China National Geography". It is the location chosen by many photographers.

D3: Locke’s Road

Drive to Huahu. Huahu is located on the 213 National Highway between Ruoergai, Sichuan and Langmusi, Gansu. It is a natural sea on the Geerba grassland. Redam is the second largest grassland in China after Hulunbuir Grassland, with an altitude of 3,468 meters.

The classic time for Huahu is May and June. The lakeside is colorful like clouds, and the lake is full of gorgeous flowers that look like water monsters. This plant looks bland and unremarkable. In August, when the rain is abundant, it dyes the pure blue lake water into a light lotus color, with different shades, like a touch of blush when a girl is homesick. After the tour, go to Langmusi!

: Morning D4: Zhagana

After that, visit Langmusi Temple, feel the solemn Buddhist atmosphere of "Xiu Bailian escapes from the continent", and overlook the mysterious and sacred celestial burial platform. The birthplace of Langmusi is the Langmusi Grand Canyon in Sichuan, where there are Langmu Cave, Laohu Cave and the source of Bailong River. Let's experience the beauty of this paradise together! After the tour, return to Lanzhou!

Walking around the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and driving through the Hexi Corridor.

Understanding the Silk Road with your heart is like traveling through thousands of years. Standing in the Hexi Corridor and feeling the desolation and heroism of history, passing through the deep starry sky and vast grasslands, it turns into a breeze and flies to your side. I hope I will see you again in my lifetime;

It snows in July, flowers bloom like a blanket, eagles fly and cranes cry, it is mysterious and unpredictable. With expectations for the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Hexi Corridor, we galloped across the desert and galloped through the grasslands under the blue sky and white clouds.

Recommended route:

D5: Zhagana 105km to Huahu 37km to Langmusi Temple

After breakfast, drive to the famous Tibetan Buddhist temple, the Gelug Sect The birthplace of the great master Tsongkhapa, you can enjoy the Eight Ruyi Pagodas, the Big and Small Jinwa Halls, and the three wonders of Buddhist art: murals, embroidery, and butter carvings.

Then drive to Qinghai Lake, passing through Riyue Mountain, Fengshui Ridge of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Loess Plateau, and Daotang River, which is said to be the largest inland saltwater lake in China. The end of the lake is connected to the sky, and the water and sky are the same color. Tourists can take a boat tour of Qinghai Lake here and feel the beauty of the plateau lake.

D6: Langmusi 390km from Lanzhou

After breakfast, drive to Chaka Salt Lake. The water and sky meet, and it is difficult to tell where is the sky and where is the water. It is called China's Sky Mirror. After the tour, drive to Dachaidan.

D1: Xining 40km to Kumbum Monastery 150km to Qinghai Lake

After breakfast, drive to Dunhuang. Today is a big crossroads. The main thing is to appreciate the vast desert scenery of the Qaidam Basin, which is deeply touching. Due to the sparse population along the way, supplies were difficult. It is recommended to prepare enough drinking water and dry food.

After arriving in Dunhuang, although there is no danger of climbing Mount Huashan, it is difficult to climb Mount Tai. Take a step further and take a half-step back to Mingsha Mountain to visit the Crescent Moon Spring, the largest desert spring in the world. It is known as "surrounded by sand and silver mountains, a pool of clear water and green ripples, the breathtaking Crescent Moon Spring".

D2: Qinghai Lake 150km Chaka 400km Dachaidan

After breakfast, head to the eastern foot of Mingsha Mountain in Dunhuang. On that long plank road, large and small grottoes are connected in a zigzag manner. The walls of the grotto are covered with murals and colorful sculptures related to Buddhism. The solemn and solemn Buddha shadows are dancing and dancing. Solemn and mysterious, it makes people pause.

Here is one of the four major grottoes in China and the largest treasure house of Buddhist art in the world - the Mogao Grottoes. After the tour, drive to Jiayuguan and check into the hotel to rest!

010-10, after breakfast, visit the Jiayuguan Tower at the west end of the Great Wall, and then drive to Zhangye. In the afternoon, you can visit the Zhangye Danxia landform formed 6 million years ago. It is located in Linze and Sunan counties of Zhangye City, covering an area of ??more than 510 square kilometers. It is the only complex area of ??Danxia landforms and colorful hilly landscapes in China, and was rated as one of the seven most beautiful Danxia landforms in China by "China National Geographic" magazine.

D3: Dachaidan 320km from Dunhuang to Mingsha Mountain/Crescent Spring

Visit the Zhangye Grand Buddha Temple. The Great Buddha Temple Scenic Area is located in the southwest corner of Zhangye City, Gansu Province. It is an important scenic spot

The attractions open to the public include the Great Buddha Temple built in the Xixia Dynasty, the Wanshou Pagoda in the Sui Dynasty, the Tomi Thousand Buddha Pagoda in the Ming Dynasty, The Bell and Drum Towers and the Shaanxi Guild Hall of the Qing Dynasty are famous in the northwest region. After the tour, go to Lanzhou and check into the hotel. In the evening, you can go to the local snack night market and taste special delicacies!

D4: Mogao Grottoes 370km from Jiayuguan

Take a bus to visit the Zhongshan Iron Bridge, known as the "No. 1 Bridge on the Yellow River in the World". Possible self-funded items in the scenic area include: sheepskin rafting for 80 yuan/person; currently the most beautiful sculpture on the Yellow River, the mother river of the Chinese nation, is the Mother of the Yellow River. Afterwards, I visited the old water parking lot. Lanzhou's waterwheel, also known as the crown car, rollover car, irrigation car and tiger car, originated in the Ming Dynasty.

Self-driving on Qiujin Landscape Avenue

Someone once said: If you love someone, take him to see the autumn in Ejina, because it is a paradise with beautiful scenery; if you hate someone, , take him to see the spring in Ejina, because it is hell. No one would have thought that this is the birthplace of sandstorms in China. Sometimes heaven and hell are only one step away.

Recommended route:

D5: Jiayuguan 260km to Zhangye

Lanzhou drives to Xiutala Prairie, one of the six most beautiful grasslands in China, along the way Enjoy the grassland scenery. Then go to Shandan Royal Racecourse, which is currently the largest and oldest racecourse in the world.

It was founded by Huo Qubing, an ancient general of the Western Han Dynasty, in 121 BC. It has been more than 2,130 years ago and is also the oldest single organization in the world today. In the afternoon, we rode whip at the military horse farm. Go to the villa in Huaixi Town in the evening, with the mountains to the east——, and have a rest!

D6: Zhangye Great Buddha Temple 500km from Lanzhou

Take a bus to Zhangye Colorful Danxia, ??which is one of the areas with the largest and best landforms and the richest landforms in China. It is a typical representative of my country's colorful Danxia and has high scientific research and tourism viewing value.

In November 2005, China Geographic Magazine and 34 national media jointly held the "Most Beautiful Places in China" selection and was selected as one of the "Seven Most Beautiful Danxias in China". After the tour, check into Zhangye!

D7: Baili Yellow River Scenic Line

We set out from Zhangye to the most beautiful Populus euphratica forest in China. The Populus euphratica forest in October, the poplar trees have turned yellow. Under the blue sky, it is as bright as the sun in the desert desert, and the golden Populus euphratica is reflected on the calm lake, like an oil painting! After the tour, drive to Ejina Banner to check in!

D1: Lanzhou 420km Shandan Army Racecourse 5km Huaixi Town

Visit the Ejina Banner Populus euphratica forest for a full day, where dragons soar in the sky, grass dances wildly, and there are all kinds of wonderful things .The Heihe River has stopped flowing, the Juyan Sea has dried up, and only 300,000 acres of the more than 700,000 acres of Populus euphratica forest remain. Perhaps instead of lamenting humanity itself, it is better to lament the departure of Populus euphratica.

Saving Populus euphratica forest is saving mankind's own homeland.

D2: 195km from Huaixi Town to Zhangye Danxia

Get up early and set off for Juyanhai, a peculiar wandering lake. "Juyan" is a Xixia language, which means "moving desert". Due to the shrinkage of the lake, the lake was divided into two lakes. The name of West Lake is Gashun Nuoer, also known as Gashun Lake. In Mongolian, it means "Sea of ??Bitterness", that is, Xiju Yanhai.

After the tour, go to Black City and Strange Forest, an ancient city buried by quicksand, located in the Ejina River Basin in the west of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. It is 30 kilometers southeast of Dalangkebu, Ejina Banner, and about 10 kilometers away from the Nalin River.

The city has been swallowed by quicksand. The city of Dangxiang, the ancient capital of the Xixia Kingdom, is named "Ikinai Road", and Dangxiang means "Blackwater City".

D3: Zhangye 260km Golden Pagoda Populus euphratica Forest 340km Ejina Banner

In the morning, we set off from Ejina Banner to Zhangye and enjoy the Gobi scenery along the way!

D4: Populus euphratica forest in Ejina Banner

In the morning, we set off from Zhangye to Jinchang and enjoyed the Gobi scenery along the way! After arriving in Jinchang, visit the Jinchang Bauhinia Sea. In Jinchang in summer, purple lavender, verbena, and borage complement each other with golden rapeseed flowers, sunflowers, and marigolds, creating a picturesque scene.

There are also beautiful tulips, poppies, peonies, roses and other flowers vying for beauty. The whole city seems to be a sea of ??flowers, filled with a romantic atmosphere everywhere, giving "Nidu" an extra dimension. A new business card for the "Western Flower City".

D5: Juyanhai---Black City---Strange Forest

Get up early and go to the Tengger Desert for surfing, corruption, and picnics. Here you can fully experience " The desert is lonely a