Northwest China Travel Guide#
Northwest China includes Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia, and Xinjiang, featuring Silk Road relics, desert grasslands, and lake scenery.
Shaanxi#
Highlights#
- Historic Sites: Ancient capitals like Xi’an, Xianyang, Yan’an
- Cultural Sites: Terracotta Warriors, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Huaqing Pool
- Cuisine: Shaanxi Cuisine, Mutton Steamed Bread, Rougamo
Key Attractions#
- Terracotta Warriors: UNESCO World Heritage, Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang
- Terracotta Warriors Official Website - Ticket and booking information
- Recommended to book 3-7 days in advance, avoid holidays
- Recommended to hire a guide to understand history
- Big Wild Goose Pagoda: UNESCO World Heritage, Tang Dynasty Buddhist architecture
- Big Wild Goose Pagoda Official Website - Ticket and tour information
- Can climb the pagoda to overlook the entire Xi’an
- Huaqing Pool: UNESCO World Heritage, Tang Dynasty imperial garden
- Huaqing Pool Official Website - Ticket and tour information
- Can watch the live performance “Song of Eternal Sorrow”
- Xi’an City Wall: One of the best-preserved ancient city walls
- Xi’an City Wall Official Website - Ticket and tour information
- Can cycle or walk around the city
Gansu#
Highlights#
- Silk Road Culture: Dunhuang, Jiayuguan, Zhangye
- Natural Scenery: Singing Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake, Colorful Danxia, Qilian Mountains
- Cuisine: Gansu Cuisine, Lanzhou Beef Noodles, Hand-held Mutton
Key Attractions#
- Mogao Caves: UNESCO World Heritage, treasure house of Buddhist art
- Mogao Caves Official Website - Ticket and booking information
- Recommended to book in advance, daily visitor limit
- Recommended to hire a guide to understand Buddhist art
- Singing Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake: UNESCO World Natural Heritage, desert wonder
- Singing Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake Official Website - Ticket and activity information
- Can experience sand sliding, camel riding, desert camping, etc.
- Jiayuguan: UNESCO World Heritage, First Strategic Pass Under Heaven
- Jiayuguan Official Website - Ticket and tour information
- Can climb the pass tower to overlook the Great Wall
- Colorful Danxia: UNESCO World Natural Heritage, colorful landform
- Colorful Danxia Official Website - Ticket and tour information
- Recommended to visit in the morning or evening for best lighting
Qinghai#
Highlights#
- Plateau Scenery: Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, Kumbum Monastery
- Tibetan Culture: Tibetan Buddhism, Tibetan songs and dances, Tibetan cuisine
- Cuisine: Qinghai Cuisine, Highland Barley Wine, Butter Tea
Key Attractions#
- Qinghai Lake: World’s largest inland saltwater lake
- Qinghai Lake Official Website - Ticket and tour information
- Best travel time: July-August (rapeseed flower season)
- Can cycle around the lake, experience plateau scenery
- Chaka Salt Lake: Sky Mirror, China’s most beautiful salt lake
- Chaka Salt Lake Official Website - Ticket and tour information
- Recommended to visit in the morning or evening for best photography
- Kumbum Monastery: One of the six great monasteries of Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism
- Kumbum Monastery Official Website - Ticket and tour information
- Can experience Tibetan Buddhist culture
- Kunlun Mountains: Ancestor of all mountains, Taoist mountain
- Note altitude sickness, recommended gradual adaptation
Ningxia#
Highlights#
- Hui Culture: Yinchuan, Zhongwei, Guyuan
- Natural Scenery: Shapotou, Sand Lake, Western Xia Imperial Tombs
- Cuisine: Ningxia Cuisine, Mutton Noodles, Eight Treasure Tea
Key Attractions#
- Shapotou: UNESCO World Natural Heritage, meeting of desert and Yellow River
- Sand Lake: UNESCO World Natural Heritage, perfect combination of desert and lake
- Western Xia Imperial Tombs: UNESCO World Heritage, imperial tombs of Western Xia Dynasty
- Zhenbeibao Western Film Studio: China’s western film shooting base
Xinjiang#
Highlights#
- Silk Road Culture: Urumqi, Turpan, Kashgar
- Natural Scenery: Tianchi Lake, Kanas, Sayram Lake
- Cuisine: Xinjiang Cuisine, Roasted Lamb Skewers, Big Plate Chicken
Key Attractions#
- Tianchi Lake: UNESCO World Natural Heritage, pearl of Tianshan Mountains
- Tianchi Lake Official Website - Ticket and tour information
- Recommended 1-2 days visit, experience alpine lake
- Kanas: UNESCO World Natural Heritage, God’s private garden
- Kanas Official Website - Ticket and tour information
- Recommended 2-3 days for in-depth visit, experience northern Xinjiang scenery
- Best travel time: June to September
- Turpan: UNESCO World Heritage, important town on the Silk Road
- Turpan Official Website - Tourism information
- Can visit Flaming Mountain, Grape Valley, etc.
- Note heat prevention, summer temperatures are high
- Kashgar: Ancient Silk Road city, Uyghur cultural center
- Kashgar Official Website - Tourism information
- Can experience Uyghur culture and cuisine
Travel Tips#
- Best Time: Summer is suitable but note heat prevention; spring and autumn are pleasant
- Transportation: High-speed rail network is developing rapidly, but some areas still rely mainly on highways
- Xi’an-Lanzhou: About 3 hours by high-speed rail
- Xi’an-Urumqi: Requires flight or long-distance train
- Special Experiences: Experience Silk Road culture, taste authentic cuisine, experience desert grassland scenery
- Useful Links: