The Secrets of the Hexi Corridor
Hey, friends from abroad! I’m excited to share with you my amazing 9 – day trip in July along the Hexi Corridor with my friends. The total cost per person was about 6000 yuan.
1. The Allure of the Hexi Corridor
The Hexi Corridor is not the monotonous place you might imagine. It’s like a colorful palette. A bowl of Lanzhou beef noodles, with its clear broth, white radish, red chili oil, green coriander, and yellow noodles, is a perfect start. Against the backdrop of the blue sky and white clouds, you can see sandy deserts, oases, blooming flowers, and spiritual yaks.
It’s a place full of history and mystery. It was the desert in my middle – school memory, similar to the Sahara in Sanmao’s works, like the Mingsha Mountain. It was the historical stage of Zhang Qian, Huo Qubing, and the Xiongnu in history textbooks. It’s also the secret realm in documentaries about the Hexi Corridor and a significant Buddhist holy land. Despite its reputation for desolation, it has the tenderness of Qinghai Lake, the artistry of Chaka Salt Lake, and the company of rape flower and lavender fields.
This about 1200 – kilometer – long corridor showcases almost all types of terrain on this planet except the ocean. People say that traveling in the northwest is like experiencing half of China. You’ll go through emotional ups and downs here, from the sunrise to the sunset, from the desolate to the prosperous. You can follow the Gobi Desert, look at the snow – capped mountains, wade in the sky mirror of Chaka Salt Lake, and cross the desert. You’ll be amazed by the natural wonders like the Danxia landform and feel the grandeur of history through the ancient relics.
2. The Itinerary
The main attractions we visited were: Lanzhou – Ta’er Monastery – Qinghai Lake – Chaka Salt Lake – Delingha – Emerald Lake – Dunhuang (Mogao Caves, Yadan Ghost City, Yumen Pass) – Jiayuguan – Zhangye Danxia Landform – Zhuo’er Mountain – Biandukou – Huahai Yuanyang – Menyuan – Lanzhou.
Lanzhou: The Starting Point
As we were about to land at Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport, I was eager to try the famous Lanzhou beef noodles. A bowl of hot noodles is the perfect way to start a new journey.
When we arrived in Lanzhou, unfortunately, it was raining. I had hoped to visit the Gansu Provincial Museum in the afternoon and enjoy the food and the view at Zhengning Road Night Market and Zhongshan Bridge at night. But the rain dampened my mood, so I decided to rest in the hotel.
Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport is about 70 kilometers from the city center. You can take the airport bus for 30 yuan or the inter – city bullet train for 20 yuan. Taking a taxi would cost about 200 yuan, and you can also share the taxi with others.
Ta’er Monastery: The Guardian
The distance from Lanzhou to Ta’er Monastery is 246 kilometers, and from Ta’er Monastery to Qinghai Lake is 145 kilometers.
We took a chartered bus in Lanzhou. About ten kilometers before reaching Ta’er Monastery, we changed to a Qinghai bus (I still don’t know why). Due to the COVID – 19 pandemic in July, the scenic area shuttle bus at Ta’er Monastery wasn’t operating. We thought it wasn’t far at first and were full of energy, so we walked. In fact, it’s about 4 kilometers from the entrance to the monastery. You can also take a Didi. Along the way, there are a national school and the Eight – Petal Lotus Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritance and Experience Center.
The scenery on the left side of the road is incredibly beautiful. On our way back, we deliberately walked there. It’s the Lianhua Lake Scenic Area, an unexpected bonus. At Ta’er Monastery, it’s highly recommended to hire a guide. You’ll learn a lot about each temple and the bodhi trees, whether you have religious beliefs or not.
The Three Lakes: Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, and Emerald Lake
We spent three days visiting these three lakes. We watched the sunset at Qinghai Lake on the first day and the sunrise the next morning before going to Chaka Salt Lake. Unfortunately, it was cloudy at Chaka Salt Lake, which is best seen on a sunny day. We stayed in Delingha that night and reached Emerald Lake on the third day.
Chaka Salt Lake is like a sky mirror. When it’s cloudy, it doesn’t show its best. The salt sculptures and the colorful small trains add some charm. It’s true that wearing a red dress here is a great choice, especially on a slightly cloudy day. Emerald Lake is named for the color of its minerals. It’s made up of small salt lakes, and its green color is very clear. It’s still under development, and currently, it’s free. Aerial photography here can capture its beauty like a piece of emerald.
There aren’t many places to eat at these scenic spots. You’d better bring your own food. There’s a commercial street outside Chaka Salt Lake with some snacks like roujiamo and instant noodles. Since Emerald Lake is newly developed, there are no commercial facilities yet.
The journey from Emerald Lake to Dunhuang is a typical picture of the northwest we’ve imagined. It’s all about the Gobi Desert and wastelands. It took us more than 6 hours, and for about 3 hours, there was no mobile signal. We passed through the Qaidam Basin and the most beautiful roads.
Dunhuang: The Desert Pearl
We arrived in Dunhuang the day before and stayed there. The next day, we first went to the Yadan Ghost City and Yumen Pass. In the afternoon, we went back to the hotel to rest and then headed to Mingsha Mountain at 5 p.m. to watch the sunset. The camels there are lined up neatly. You can take a helicopter to see the whole view or climb to the top of the mountain to watch the sunset.
Mogao Caves requires tickets to be booked one month in advance as the number of visitors is limited. The tickets include two digital movies, which help you understand the caves before the on – site visit. Remember, no photos are allowed inside the caves or during the digital movies. There’s a museum outside where you can see some replica caves and take pictures.
The Ancient Battlefields: Yumen Pass, Jiayuguan
The Hexi Corridor is full of historical stories. The Yadan Ghost City, Yumen Pass, and Jiayuguan are like time – portals. Standing at these places, you can almost hear the sound of ancient battles. The Yadan Ghost City has strange rock formations, and Yumen Pass is a symbol of the ancient Silk Road. Jiayuguan Pass is a magnificent ancient military fortress.
Zhangye: Danxia Landform and the Flower Sea
On the way, we passed by the Arou Monastery, which was closed. At Zhangye, the Danxia landform is like a colorful painting on the earth. Zhuo’er Mountain offers a great view on a good day. The A’mi Dongsuo Scenic Area, also known as Niuxin Mountain in Tibetan, means “the god of all mountains” and “the mountain guarding the land”. Opposite Zhuo’er Mountain, there are rolling barley fields and the fragrance of rape flowers, along with the smoke from rural houses, creating a peaceful rural scene.
Biandukou Ecological and Leisure Tourism Area is also very beautiful. We saw some cute painted lambs along the way. Huahai Yuanyang is like a paradise on the grassland.
Lanzhou: The End of the Journey
As the trip came to an end, we returned to Lanzhou. The night view of Lanzhou is so charming that I fell in love with this city.
This trip was full of surprises, from the natural wonders to the historical relics. I hope you’ll also have the chance to explore the magic of the Hexi Corridor!
Read More《艳&遇 大西北(兰州-青海-敦煌-张掖-卓尔山)》
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