There are multiple choices for tourist routes in the Qaidam area of Xinjiang. Here are some recommended routes:
I. Seven-Day Essence Route of Qaidam In-depth Tour:
Day 1: Depart from Xining, pass through Riyue Mountain, Daotang River, visit Qinghai Lake, and stay overnight in Heimahe.
Day 2: Depart from Heimahe, head to Chaka Salt Lake, and stay overnight in Golmud.
Day 3: Depart from Golmud, visit Kunlun Mountains, Hoh Xil, and return to Golmud for accommodation.
Day 4: Depart from Golmud, visit Xiaochaidan Lake, Emerald Lake, and stay overnight in Dachaidan.
Day 5: Depart from Dachaidan, visit East Taijinaier Lake, Shuitangyadan, West Taijinaier Lake along National Highway 315, and stay overnight in Mangya City.
Day 6: Depart from Mangya, visit Aiken Spring (Devil’s Eye), Mangya Emerald Lake, Mars Camp, Ebobliang, and pass through Lenghu Town, Lenghu Oil Town Ruins, Sugan Lake, Dangjinshan, stay overnight in Aksay.
Day 7: Depart from Aksay, visit Yangguan Scenic Area, West Thousand Buddha Caves, experience desert camping, and stay overnight in Dunhuang.
Day 8: Visit Dunhuang, including Mingshashan Crescent Moon Spring, Dunhuang Night Market, and other attractions
II. Four-Day and Four-Night Exploration Tour of Qaidam:
Day 1 (D0): Gather at the Dunhuang hotel, explore Dunhuang freely.
Day 2 (D1): Depart from Dunhuang, pass through the Oil Town, visit the Mars Camp, explore Ebobliang Yadan, and arrive in Lenghu.
Day 3 (D2): Depart from Lenghu, visit Mangya Emerald Lake, explore Aiken Spring, and return to Mangya.
Day 4 (D3): Depart from Mangya, visit the West Taijinaier Lake, explore the Shuitangyadan, and stay overnight at the scenic area.
Day 5 (D4): Depart from Shuitangyadan, drive along the U-shaped highway, revisit the Emerald Lake, and return to Dunhuang
III. Qinghai-Xinjiang Boutique Routes (Involving Qaidam Area):
This route is a long-distance crossing route, suitable for tourists who want to deeply experience the scenery of Qinghai and Xinjiang. The route is divided into the North Route, Middle Route, and South Route, all passing through some attractions in the Qaidam area. The suggested driving time is 6 days, and the recommended itinerary time is 8-9 days. The specific routes are as follows:
North Route: Xining → Chaka → Cahannuo → Wulan → Gahai → Delingha → Keluke Town → Huaitoutala → Yinmaxia → Dachaidan → Yuka → Nanbaxian → Mahai → Lenghuliang → Huanggualiang → Mangya → Ruoqiang → Xinjiang
Middle Route: Xining → Chaka → Cahannuo → Wulan → Gahai → Delingha → Keluke Town → Huaitoutala → Yinmaxia → Sebei → Dongtai → Huanggualiang → Mangya → Ruoqiang → Xinjiang
South Route: Xining → Chaka → Xiariha → Dulan → Reshui → Xiangride → Balong → Nuomuhong → Golmud → Wutumeiren → Mangya → Ruoqiang → Xinjiang
Tourists can choose suitable routes for sightseeing according to their schedules and interests. During the trip, please pay attention to safety, abide by local regulations and customs, and protect the environment and wildlife.