Qilian Mountains Autumn and Winter Adventure: From Colorful Parties to Silent Snowy Lands

1. Origin: Who says autumn and winter are only for staying indoors? As a "rebellious" travel blogger, I insisted on rushing to the Qilian Mountains in Qinghai during the off-season! I was completely conquered by the "adorable contrasts" here—the summer grasslands instantly turn into an ice and snow fairy tale, the autumn forests blaze with golden fireworks, and this ordinary person almost wanted to star in a spin-off of "Game of Thrones"! 🍁 As one of "China's six most beautiful grasslands," Qilian Mountains in autumn and winter are less noisy and more poetic. While cities are still struggling with smog, this place has already switched to "fairyland mode": snow-capped mountains wear silver hats, forests don golden armor, and when the sunlight shines, the entire mountain range looks like it’s under a natural filter. 2. Must-Experience: The Magical Duet of Nature and Culture 1. Zhuo'er Mountain: The divine battle of Danxia colorful forests Standing on the Zhuo'er Mountain viewing platform, I was stunned speechless by the scene before me—on the left, the Amindongso Snow Peak wears a "white hat," on the right, the Danxia landform is draped in "red silk," and beneath my feet, the forest sea is golden like spilled paint! 🎨 But at dawn waiting for the sunrise, I was wrapped up like a dumpling yet still froze like a sieve. An elder traveling companion calmly joked, "Youngsters, you’re shaking louder than the shutter clicks!" 2. Heihe Grand Canyon: The ice and fire love song of glaciers and colorful forests Rushing into China’s second deepest canyon, autumn’s colorful forests stretch along the river, glaciers glint silver on the cliff walls. I tried to imitate a geologist by tapping an icicle, but ended up knocking snow chunks on my head, instantly cosplaying as the "White-Haired Witch"! Yet deep in the canyon, drone shots show a weave of red, yellow, blue, and white—each photo looks like a National Geographic cover. 3. Gangshika Snow Peak: A beginner climber’s "pretend summit" At the foot of the 5,254-meter snow peak, I put on crampons and posed for a "conqueror" photo, but after climbing less than ten meters, I was gasping like a broken bellows. The local guide stifled a laugh and handed me an oxygen bottle: "Miss, we have helicopter tours here, no shame in that!" 🚁 But when the sunset dyes the peak gold, the whole mountain looks like a giant crystal, so beautiful it makes you forget altitude sickness. 3. Hidden Gems: Unlocking Local Secret Playstyles - Qilian Deer Farm: A snowy date with the "deer fairy" Sneaking into Asia’s largest semi-wild deer farm, 1,500 deer stroll in the snow. I held out carrots to please them but was instead surrounded and my backpack besieged, earning a limited-edition "drool scarf"! But capturing photos of antlers adorned with ice crystals instantly got over a hundred likes on social media. - Arou Monastery: Warm coffee under prayer flags Hiding in a century-old ancient temple, monks sunbathe butter tea in the courtyard. I snagged a cup of yak milk coffee, and it was so fragrant it felt like my soul left my body! The lama laughed, "WeChat Pay? Even Buddha has gone digital!" ☕️ 4. Foodie Survival Guide: Do You Know the Joy of High Calories? 1. Yak Hot Pot: The meat mountain cold-weather weapon Around a copper pot, we dipped yak meat slices thicker than a phone, the broth so fresh it made your eyebrows raise. I downed three bowls in a row, and the owner grinned, "Slow down! This meat was running on the mountain just yesterday!" The secret: dip in spicy sauce with barley cakes, even the carb bomb is worth it. 2. Butter Tea + Zanba: The plateau version of "milk tea dessert" Learning from locals to knead zanba, I ended up making "cement lumps," and the Tibetan grandma laughed tears, "Child, your hands are better suited for typing!" But salty tea paired with sweet zanba instantly warmed the chilly stomach. 5. Blood and Tears Experience Summary: Style is important, but survival is more! - Dressing formula: quick-dry shirt + fleece + shell jacket + down jacket! With a 20°C+ day-night temperature difference, heat patches on the waist and back are life-saving. - Pitfall warnings: - Some roads are closed in winter; check traffic bureau announcements in advance; - Zhuo'er Mountain tickets include sightseeing bus; don’t trust wild guides taking shortcuts. - Photography tips: Shoot snow peaks with backlit golden tops in the morning, wait for blue hour in the canyon at dusk, adjust phone saturation for instant "photography master" effect. 6. Conclusion: Qilian Mountains in autumn and winter are truly addictive! Before this trip, I thought northwest autumn and winter were "barren and harsh"; after returning, I kept missing the dazzling Danxia of Zhuo'er Mountain, the crystal-clear glaciers of Heihe Canyon, and the warm comfort of a hot yak hot pot. Qilian Mountains use extreme scenery to thrill your body and hearty food to heal your stomach—who can resist shouting "so good" at such an exclusive autumn and winter adventure?