A Guangdong little potato bravely explores the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Big Loop in Northwest China (7 days and 6 nights)

🚗Driving situation: Rented a Haval H6, quite comfortable for 5 people (good value for money) Two people per group each day, one driving and one co-pilot assisting with navigation Driving for over 7 hours a day, each person drives for 3-4 hours, the road conditions are very good, basically not tiring The first 1-2 days are more challenging (due to altitude sickness + rushing to attractions), but driving becomes more relaxed afterwards 🍜Dining: 1. In a hurry, roadside restaurants were used, mainly relying on self-heating rice and instant noodles for emergency meals 2. Beef and mutton are common along the way, with similar cooking methods, which can become a bit monotonous after a while 3. Didn't encounter any dry toilets, had to make do by the roadside... 📹Photography: Essential to have a 200mm telephoto lens, having a drone is best ⛰️Scenery: The landscape changes gradually from meadows to drought-resistant plants to desert scenery, absolutely beautiful The most beautiful section is from Qinghai Lake to Dunhuang, afterwards you can fly out from Dunhuang if short on time Day 1 Landed in Lanzhou - rented a car next to the airport and headed straight to Xining - stayed overnight in Xining Day 2 Xining - Riyue Mountain - Qinghai Lake - stayed overnight in Delingha ✨Didn't enter Riyue Mountain Scenic Area, took photos on a hillside with white cows, lambs, and prayer flags ✨In July and August, the area around Qinghai Lake is full of tender yellow rapeseed flowers, so beautiful ✨Strongly do not recommend Erlang Sword Scenic Area by Qinghai Lake, altitude sickness + headache from walking Day 3 Delingha - Small Qaidam Jade Lake - U-shaped Highway - Water Yadan - Mars No.1 Highway - stayed overnight in Lenghu Town ✨Passed by Small Qaidam Lake, undeveloped, parked by the roadside and walked to the lake ✨U-shaped Highway is busy, pay attention to safety ✨The most beautiful part of Water Yadan is at position 4, we climbed over the fence and found several spots ✨The evening on Mars No.1 Highway has a different kind of beauty ✨Limited accommodation in Lenghu Town, just for one night Day 4 Lenghu Town - Petroleum Town - Heidushan - Aksai Film and Television Base - stayed overnight in Dunhuang - watched 'See Dunhuang Again' stage play - Dunhuang night market ✨No need to visit Petroleum Town, all houses have been demolished, not much historical trace ✨The film and television base is also quite simple, with a feeling of a rundown amusement park from the 90s ✨Highly recommend Heidushan, very photogenic, unfortunately, it was hazy that day Day 5 Dunhuang - Mogao Caves - Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring - night market ✨It is advised to book the special cave tickets for Mogao Caves 2 weeks to 1 month in advance, they were gone a week before departure, didn't get to see ✨The mountain is easier seen than climbed, Mingsha Mountain is really tough to climb Day 6 Dunhuang - Jiayuguan - stayed overnight in Zhangye Day 7 Zhangye - Rainbow Danxia - Xining Airport - headed straight to Chengdu for fun (very close) Average expenditure per person was around 5-6,000