The Ecological Secret Realm on the Qinghai-Gansu Border of Tianjing Qilian

Qilian Mountains, the "Ice Source Reservoir" spanning the Qinghai-Gansu border, serve as the ecological barrier of the Silk Road. The most anticipated part of this trip is standing at the junction of the snow line and the grassland, touching billion-year-old glaciers, and listening to the ancient echoes of the herders. 📍Detailed Address: The border between Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, and Zhangye City, Gansu Province. Qilian Mountains Qilian Grassland Amindongso Scenic Area 🎫Ticket Reference: Zhuo'er Mountain Scenic Area 60 RMB, Arou Dasi Temple 15 RMB, Qilian Grassland free admission. 🛣️Transportation Guide 🚗Self-driving: Depart from Xining along National Highway G227, reach Qilian County in 4 hours, passing snow-capped mountains, rapeseed flower seas, and Heihe Canyon. 🚌Long-distance Bus: Daily buses from Xining Bus Station to Qilian County, ticket price about 80 RMB, enjoy Menyuan flower sea along the way. 🚕Charter/Carpool: Depart from Zhangye, 3 hours to the heart of Qilian Mountains, flexible access to undeveloped landscapes. 🖼️Photo Spot Route Guide 1️⃣Zhuo'er Mountain Danxia Sunrise: At dawn, overlook the red sandstone and rapeseed flower fields from the beacon tower viewing platform. Sunlight gilds Niuxin Mountain’s peak, the clash of crimson and gold resembles an oil painting. Zhuo'er Mountain 2️⃣Qilian Grassland Pastoral Song: In summer, horseback ride through the green meadows (50 RMB/hour), gaze at the Milky Way by the campfire at night, visit herders’ homes to milk yaks and wear Tibetan robes for photos. Qilian Grassland 3️⃣Bayi Glacier Secret Realm: Requires advance scientific research permit, touch the blue ice layers, guided hiking (trekking poles needed), feel the breath of billion-year-old glaciers. Bayi Glacier 4️⃣Arou Dasi Temple Pilgrimage: More pristine than Bitar Temple, monks debate daily at 3:00 PM, the prayer wheel corridor frames the snow mountains, hidden panoramic viewpoint at the back mountain. Arou Dasi Temple 🍜Food Guide ✅Qilian Yellow Mushroom Stewed Lamb: Wild yellow mushrooms are fresh and fragrant, lamb is tender and free of gamey taste, the highland’s day-night temperature difference gives it a unique flavor. ✅Yak Yogurt with Highland Barley Flour: Yogurt is rich, sweet and sour, sprinkled with barley flour for texture, a traditional local way to eat. ✅Hand-grabbed Lamb: Boiled in clear water to retain original flavor, dipped in salt or chili powder, meat is firm and odorless. 🏠Accommodation Suggestions 1️⃣Qilian County Snow Mountain View Homestay: Average 300 RMB/night, window views of Amindongso Snow Mountain, includes floor heating and Tibetan-style breakfast. 2️⃣Grassland Starry Sky Tent: 150 RMB/night, equipped with electric blankets and lamb hotpot for late-night snacks, stargaze the Milky Way deep into the night. 3️⃣Zhangye City Hotels: 200 RMB/night, near Danxia Park, suitable for family travelers, well-equipped facilities. ❤️‍🔥Tips and Precautions 1️⃣Altitude Sickness Prevention: Altitude 3000-4120 meters, take Rhodiola in advance, prepare oxygen tanks. 2️⃣Temperature Difference Protection: Day-night temperature difference over 15°C, windproof jacket + light down jacket essential. 3️⃣Environmental Protection: No trampling on vegetation in glaciers and grasslands, carry out all trash. 🌸In the melting snow mountain water and the herders’ prayer flags, touch the original shape of time—it is silent like the glacier, free like the wind on the grassland.