Natural Wonders

昆明

Yunnan's main transport hub, with airport and high-speed rail connections across the province.

华山

From Xi'an by high-speed train to Huashan North in about 30-45 minutes.

丽江

From Dali by train in about 1.5-2.5 hours, or by flight from major Chinese cities.

青海湖

A vast highland lake and one of the signature sights of the loop.

九寨沟

From Chengdu by flight, long-distance road route, or rail-and-road connections depending on season and schedule.

韶关

From Guangzhou by high-speed train in about 1 hour.

香格里拉

From Lijiang by road in about 3-4 hours, with rail and flight options depending on schedule.

茶卡盐湖

A famous mirror-like salt lake between Qinghai Lake and the Qaidam Basin.

大柴旦翡翠湖

A colorful salt-lake stop near Dachaidan.

G315 U型公路

A dramatic highway perspective in the Qaidam Basin.

水上雅丹

Wind-carved yardang landforms rising from water in the Qaidam Basin.

鸣沙山月牙泉

Dunhuang's iconic dune-and-oasis landscape.

张掖七彩丹霞

The loop's most colorful landform stop.

马蹄寺

A cliff-temple and grotto stop south of Zhangye.

卓尔山

A classic Qilian viewpoint on the return toward Xining.

日月山

A highland pass between Xining and Qinghai Lake.

大冬树山垭口

A high-altitude pass on the Qilian return route.

茫崖翡翠湖

A remote western Qinghai salt-lake extension for longer loops.

艾肯泉

A remote mineral spring often called the Devil's Eye.