Lakes, salt flats, the Gobi, grottoes and danxia. Budget coach tours usually skip Qarhan Salt Lake and Heidushan.

Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop (North) Xining-Gonghe-Wulan-Dachaidan-Dunhuang-Zhangye-Qilian-Xining

Also known as: Great Northwest Loop · Qinghai Loop (North)

Lakes, salt flats, the Gobi, grottoes and danxia. Budget coach tours usually skip Qarhan Salt Lake and Heidushan.

City loop 8 days Qinghai, Gansu Jun–Sep

Route Introduction

📜
Why This Route Exists
The historical & geographical answer to why this route came to be
  • Lakes, salt flats, the Gobi, grottoes and danxia.
  • Budget coach tours usually skip Qarhan Salt Lake and Heidushan.

At a Glance

Suggested days 8 days
Cities 8
Provinces Qinghai, Gansu
Difficulty 🟢 Easy
Best months Jun–Sep
Best for Great for history enthusiasts, Silk Road culture lovers, and photographers

Route Map Animated marker shows direction

🏙️ Xining 🏙️ Gonghe 🏙️ Wulan 🏙️ Dachaidan 🏙️ Dunhuang 🏙️ Zhangye 🏙️ Qilian 🏙️ Xining
Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop (North): Xining-Gonghe-Wulan-Dachaidan-Dunhuang-Zhangye-Qilian-Xining 西宁 → 共和 → 乌兰 → 海西 → 敦煌 → 张掖 → 祁连
Time Place / plan Category Duration Transfer Note
Day 1 Xining → Gonghe → Ulan → Haixi → Dunhuang → Zhangye → Qilian → Xining

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