Solo Adventure in Northwest China: A Super Detailed 5 Days 4 Nights Guide That Will Make You Want to Set Off Immediately!

“Traveling alone is a dialogue with the world.” When I set foot on this vast land of Northwest China, I truly understood the meaning of this sentence. Today, I’m sharing my unforgettable journey and super practical travel tips~ Itinerary Overview Day 1: Arrive in Xining, visit Dongguan Mosque and Xiannanmen Street Day 2: One-day tour of Ta'er Monastery, Qinghai Lake, Riyue Mountain, and Laji Mountain; overnight train to Dunhuang Day 3: Mogao Caves - Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring Day 4: Dunhuang West Line one-day tour (Yangguan Pass, Yumenguan Pass, Yadan Devil City) Day 5: Half-day tour of Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park Daily Itinerary Details Day 1: Arrive in Xining, experience the Western region’s charm Fly from your departure city to Xining, take the airport shuttle bus to Xining Bus Station, then walk to your hotel—very convenient. After a short rest, I went to Dongguan Mosque. This mosque’s architectural style is unique, blending cultural elements from Han, Tibetan, Hui, and other ethnic groups, with every detail reflecting a deep historical atmosphere. Here, you can feel the solemnity and sanctity of religion, and it’s a great spot for photos~ Next, I strolled to Xiannanmen Street, which is a food paradise! Various specialty snacks are everywhere, and anything you try will satisfy your taste buds. I personally recommend trying niangpi (cold skin noodles) and sweet fermented rice—both taste amazing! Day 2: Encounter the Pearl of the Plateau, head to Dunhuang by night Set off promptly at 7 a.m. for an exciting day tour. Since it was the off-season, there were only three of us on the bus, making the experience even better! The first stop was Ta'er Monastery, one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, holding great significance. I suggest doing some research beforehand to understand its history, which makes the visit more meaningful. If you’re short on time, you can also hire a guide like I did to quickly grasp its mysteries. On the way, we passed Laji Mountain. Although it was a brief stop, the rolling mountains, blue sky, and white clouds created a stunning picture. Standing on the viewing platform and gazing into the distance, my soul felt purified. Riyue Mountain is one of my favorite spots, with prayer flags fluttering in the wind across the hills, as if telling ancient stories. You can also pay to hug the adorable little lambs—their cuteness makes you want to take more photos. Every corner here is poetic, and any shot looks like a masterpiece. The last stop was the Erlangjian Scenic Area of Qinghai Lake. The off-season perk is free shuttle buses within the park! After reaching the peninsula, the breathtaking scenery instantly made me forget my fatigue. The lake water is crystal clear, snow-capped mountains in the distance, like a fairyland on earth. Walking along the lakeshore, feeling the breeze on my face, all worries vanished. After a day’s tour, I rested briefly at the hotel before boarding the train to Dunhuang (23:37-10:19 next day). Lying on the sleeper bed, watching the stars twinkle outside the window, I was full of anticipation for tomorrow’s journey. Day 3: Step into the millennium-old Mogao Caves, listen to the desert camel bells Arrived early morning at Dunhuang Railway Station, dragged my luggage straight to the Mogao Caves. It only took a few minutes to get there. After storing my luggage, I watched two films to deeply understand the history and cultural value of the caves. Then, I followed the guide into the caves to admire exquisite murals and lifelike Buddha statues, all showcasing the wisdom and craftsmanship of ancient people. Remember to follow the rules and don’t touch the relics~ After visiting the real caves, don’t forget to check out the replica caves, where you can appreciate the artistic details up close. Around 4 p.m., I headed to Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring. Climbing the wooden stairs to the top takes about 20 minutes; it’s a bit tiring, but the panoramic view of the desert oasis makes it all worthwhile! Waiting for the sunset, golden light bathed the land, creating an unbelievably beautiful scene; when the Crescent Spring lights turned on, it was incredibly romantic~ Day 4: Explore ancient Silk Road relics, gaze at the vast starry sky Today’s focus was several famous sites on Dunhuang’s West Line. First up was the Yangguan Pass ruins. The famous poem line “I urge you to drink another cup of wine; west of Yangguan, there are no old friends” has been familiar since childhood. Seeing this ancient pass in person still moved me deeply. Standing on the city wall, looking out over the Gobi Desert, imagining the bustling trade caravans of the past was a unique experience. Yumenguan Pass offers a different vibe, with ruins that reveal a sense of history. It’s said that in spring, you can see beautiful fields of blooming rapeseed flowers here~ Of course, you can’t miss Yadan Devil City! Arriving here at sunset is absolutely stunning! The uniquely shaped earth mounds are dyed golden by the setting sun, resembling a mysterious castle standing in the desert. You can also stay overnight to stargaze~ On clear nights, the Milky Way is clearly visible, and every photo looks like wallpaper quality! Day 5: The colorful end of the world—Zhangye Danxia For the last day, I chose a more relaxed itinerary—a half-day tour of the Zhangye Danxia. Departing around 2 p.m., the scenery kept changing until the dazzlingly colorful land appeared before my eyes… Truly a masterpiece of nature’s craftsmanship! The layered colors look like a spilled palette, brilliantly gorgeous and breathtaking! Due to its location, sunset comes earlier here than in Dunhuang; around 5:30 p.m., the sun slowly sets and disappears by about 6 p.m., so we hurried back to the city for dinner~ I highly recommend trying the local specialty Lao Zhou’s stir-fried bola noodles paired with a sweet and tangy lemon tea—refreshing and perfect to end the trip! Accommodation Recommendations Stay at chain brand hotels throughout the trip for great value, cleanliness, good hygiene, convenient locations, and easy transportation. Whether by taxi or public transit, it’s very convenient, so you don’t have to worry about transportation issues affecting your mood or sleep quality, ensuring you have plenty of energy to enjoy the next day’s adventures! Tips 1. Be sure to take sun protection seriously!!! The UV rays are strong and can easily burn your skin. Remember to bring sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, masks, and reapply regularly to avoid tanning or sunburn~ 2. The temperature difference between morning and night is large, so prepare warm clothes to prevent colds and illness that could affect your trip. Items like windbreakers, fleece jackets, down jackets, etc., can be chosen based on actual conditions. No need to wear overly heavy clothes that might restrict movement and hinder long outdoor activities~ 3. Respect local customs, religious beliefs, and taboos to avoid unnecessary trouble. For example, keep quiet when entering temples, don’t make loud noises, dress appropriately and modestly—these are basic common sense. Everyone must remember this to maintain good social order and create a harmonious travel environment! That’s my Northwest China trip! I hope this guide helps you. If you want to take a spontaneous trip, feel free to refer to my route!