CHANGLUOHOU·BEEF PATTY WITH ALLIUM MONGOLICUM

I waited in line for a long time before I bought it. It was worth the wait. It was very fragrant and delicious.

Accommodation: I recommend staying near the night market. We ate there every night; there were all sorts of snacks, perfect for solo diners. Dunhuang city is small, so getting around is easy. DAY: Shazhou Night Market. After arriving in Dunhuang by plane, there's an airport shuttle bus to the city center. Delicious and famous snacks are concentrated in the central part of the night market. You can search for "Shazhou Food Station" to avoid getting lost. Highly recommend Changluohou Sha Scallion Beef Pancake! The apricot tea is delicious, sweet and sour (personally, I feel that apricot tea from different shops is pretty much the same, just with different levels of sweetness). DAY: Mogao Grottoes → Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake Transportation: You can take a bus to Mogao Grottoes. The city center-Mogao Grottoes-airport-train station loop (see Figure 2) costs only 5 yuan. It's located opposite the Silk Road Yiyuan Hotel. There's no direct bus from Mogao Grottoes to Mingsha Mountain. You can return to the city center for lunch and then take a taxi to and from Mingsha Mountain (only about ten yuan). Go to Mogao Grottoes early! Even on weekdays, it's still very crowded. There are queues to enter, queues to watch movies, and queues for guided tours at Mogao Grottoes. I never expected visiting the Mogao Grottoes to be so incredibly tiring. After the guided tour and a quick look at other grottoes, I was completely exhausted. Also, arriving too late means missing the reservation time for special grottoes (11 AM - 2 PM). Crescent Lake is a must-see; the vast reed beds are especially beautiful. The distances between attractions on the West and East routes are quite long, so I recommend joining a tour group or hiring a car. DAY Dunhuang West Route: Silk Road Heritage City (man-made attraction, optional) → Western Thousand Buddha Caves → Yangguan Pass → Yumenguan Pass → Yadan Devil City → Stargazing We departed at 8 AM and didn't return to the hotel until after 10 PM. Early to rise and late to fall, we saw the sunrise, sunset, and starry sky in one day. (Sunrise is around 8 AM in autumn.) Pay attention to the weather; choose a sunny day to go. You can see a perfect sunset at Yadan Devil City, and a sky full of stars at night. There are free high-powered telescopes available, and you can even see Saturn's rings. DAY: Dunhuang East Route: Western Jin Dynasty Mural Tomb → Suoyang City (optional) → Yulin Caves → Sculptures along the way. Compared to the West Route, the East Route is much easier. We still depart at 8 am and arrived at the hotel around 7 pm. When visiting Yulin Caves, be sure to see the special caves!! The regular caves are somewhat average. I booked a day tour for both the East and West routes through the app, Tianyou Travel Agency. There was no mandatory spending, and you could choose to visit each attraction or not. The experience was quite good, with no hidden traps.

🌅 Dunhuang 5-Day 4-Night In-Depth Travel Guide (Budget 5500 RMB) ✨ Highlights The dual awe-inspiring grandeur of the desert and the ancient Buddhist caves Immersive cultural experiences (clay tablet painting, mural copying) Off-the-beaten-path experiences (desert stargazing camping, Yulin Caves special grottoes) 📅 Itinerary Day 1: First Encounter with Dunhuang | Shazhou Night Talk Afternoon: Arrive at Dunhuang Airport/Railway Station, take a taxi to the city center (30 RMB/taxi at the airport, 20 RMB at the train station) Accommodation: Dunhuang Mountain Villa or similar boutique hotel (approximately 400 RMB/night, breakfast included) Evening: Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake (entrance fee 110 RMB, valid for three days) Experiences: Camel riding (100 RMB/person), Sand Dune sunset (entry before 8:30 PM) Evening: Shazhou Night Market Must-eat: Donkey meat noodles, apricot juice, red willow roasted meat (60 RMB per person) Recommended: Li Guangji apricot tea, Changluohou scallion beef pancake Day 2: Pilgrimage to the Buddhist Kingdom | Mogao Grottoes In-Depth Tour Full Day: Mogao Grottoes (Category A ticket 238 RMB, advance booking required 1 month) Morning: Film screening at the Digital Center + guided tour of 8 regular grottoes (stay close to the guide) Lunch: Simple lunch at the grottoes (40 RMB per person) or bring your own food Afternoon: Special grotto visit (optional, 150-200 RMB/grotto, recommended grottoes 45/57/158) Evening: "Encounter Dunhuang Again" performance (298 RMB, immersive experience, optional) Dinner: Jingyuan Ga Liu lamb (80 RMB per person) Day 3: Border Memories | Yangguan Yadan Morning: Yangguan Ruins (Entrance fee 60 RMB including sightseeing bus) Experience: Passage document ceremony, distant view of the beacon tower, walk along Yangguan Avenue Lunch: Farmhouse restaurant (mutton stew with flatbread, 50 RMB per person) Afternoon: Dunhuang Yadan Geological Park (Entrance fee 120 RMB including sightseeing bus) Highlights: The most spectacular sights at sunset are "Golden Lion Welcoming Guests" and "Peacock Standing Tall" Tips: Take an off-road vehicle into the southern area (400 RMB/vehicle, can be shared) Evening: Desert camping base (approximately 300 RMB/person, includes dinner, bonfire, and stargazing) Day 4: Cultural Immersion | Exploring Yulin Caves Full Day: Yulin Caves + Suoyang City (Chartered car approx. 500 RMB/car, can be shared) Morning: Yulin Caves (Entrance fee 40 RMB, 4 special caves total 550 RMB) Must-see: Cave 25 (the pinnacle of Tang Dynasty murals), Cave 3 (Manjushri Transformation) Lunch: Lunch in Guazhou (40 RMB per person) Afternoon: Suoyang City Ruins (Entrance fee 70 RMB) + Earth Child Sculpture (Free) Return to Dunhuang city, experience clay tablet painting (Intangible Cultural Heritage Center, 120 RMB/person) Day 5: Dunhuang Relics | Farewell Morning: Dunhuang Museum (Free, reservation required) + Leiyin Temple Tip: The museum has a replica of Cave 45, making up for not seeing the Mogao Caves. Lunch: Daji Braised Donkey Meat Noodles (50 RMB per person) Afternoon: Coffee and souvenirs at Dunhuang Bookstore (picture book recommendations) Evening: Return trip depending on flight/train schedule 💰 Budget Breakdown (Per Person) Item | Cost Major Transportation (Round-trip Airfare/Train) 2000 RMB (Off-peak Season Estimation) Local Transportation (Chartered Car + Taxi) 600 RMB (Sharing is cheaper) Accommodation (4 Nights) 1600 RMB (Four-Star Standard) Tickets & Experiences 1200 RMB (Including Special Caves and Performances) Food & Drinks 500 RMB Others (Shopping, Emergency) 600 RMB Total Approximately 5500 RMB 💡 Money-Saving Tips Transportation: Fly to Lanzhou and transfer to train (30% saving), taxi fare in Dunhuang city starts at 5 RMB. Tickets: Discounts available with student ID/teacher ID/journalist ID; free admission to Mogao Caves on your birthday. Accommodation: Choose a guesthouse in Crescent Lake Village (200 RMB/night, walking distance to Mingsha Mountain). Sharing: Group carpooling through Xiaohongshu/hotels (150 RMB per person for the Yadan route). 🎒 Pre-trip Preparations Clothing: Sunscreen clothing, sunglasses, face towel, light down jacket (large temperature difference between day and night) Equipment: Sandproof phone case, wet wipes, lip balm, high SPF sunscreen Cultural Preparation: Watch the documentary "Dunhuang" to learn about the background of the murals Photography: Bring a tripod to photograph the starry sky; protect your lens from sand. ⚠️ Important Notes Photography is strictly prohibited at Mogao Grottoes. Tickets for special grottoes require on-site queuing. Choose a reputable desert camping site to avoid low-price traps. The Yardang landforms are windy and dusty; take precautions if visiting in the afternoon. Respect the grotto culture; do not touch the murals. 🌟 Hidden Activities Desert Dinner: Customized dinner at the back of Mingsha Mountain (300 RMB/person, reservation required) Mural Copying: Experience at the Mogao Grottoes Research Center (180 RMB/2 hours) Stargazing Trip: Desert stargazing photography workshop with instructor (200 RMB/person) Tracing the Silk Road: Hike a section of the Han Dynasty Great Wall (free, requires local guidance) 🍽️ Food Map Type | Recommendation | Average Price Hardcore: Braised Lamb with Flatbread, Whole Roasted Lamb 80 RMB Snacks: Mixed Sauce, Fried Rice Cake 25 RMB Desserts: Apricot Juice, Dunhuang Yogurt 15 RMB Souvenirs: Dried Apricots from Li Guang, Luminous Cup From 100 RMB This itinerary balances classic and niche experiences, allowing for a deep cultural experience within your budget. For a more economical option, you can reduce the number of special caves and performances, saving 800-1000 RMB. The best time to travel to Dunhuang is April-June and September-October (avoiding the summer heat and winter cold). It is recommended to book Mogao Grottoes tickets and unique accommodations 30 days in advance. #DunhuangTravelGuide #MingshaMountainCrescentSpringDunhuangMogaoGrottoes

Experience the Dunhuang Night Market firsthand, and learn how to avoid it. The legendary city of Dunhuang is uniquely brimming with nightlife. Eight or nine o'clock isn't the end of the day, but the real beginning of nightlife. The night market is vast, but the most popular spot is Shazhou Food Station. The bustling crowds can be seen from afar, and the sounds of hawkers, clinking glasses, and the intertwining clatter of fire and food reflect the vibrant life of Dunhuang at night. The Mobei Grilled Fish stall is always lined with a long line. The pre-cooked basa fish, sprinkled with a secret sauce and various spices, is sizzling on the iron plate. The skin is crispy and the meat is tender, making it the night market's star attraction. If you enter the food station from the west, you'll be greeted by a long line of people. The Changluohou Sand Scallion Beef Pancake is famous for its tender beef and refreshing sand scallions, both wrapped in a flatbread, creating a fragrant and delicious dish. Sometimes hidden delicacies are easily overlooked. Hidden behind the long barbecue line is Shule Baked Buns. Their lamb buns have a crispy crust, a rich filling, and are so juicy you can't stop eating until you've had two or three. The Fiery Beef and Fiery Yellow Throat may seem simple skewers, but the cooking is meticulously executed. The chef repeatedly tosses the skewers in the hot wok. This seemingly simple technique preserves the tenderness of the beef and the crispness of the yellow throat. The moment the flames rise is a visual feast. Additionally, the fragrant and flavorful pilaf, the crispy and tender rice crust shrimp, the crispy fried cang ye, and the refreshing beer—every bite is a feast for the tongue and taste buds. Recommendation: The night market begins preparations at 4:30 p.m. each day, but the real action begins after sunset. There are three or four food courts throughout the night market, with Shazhou Station being the busiest and most bustling. Find a seat first, then queue for your food. Each stall has a clear division of labor. While popular stalls may have long lines, food is served quickly. Don't be put off by the long lines. #DunhuangNightMarket #DunhuangFoodGuide #HumanCity #DunhuangFoodCeiling #DunhuangFoodTopics Changluohou Sand and Scallion Beef Patties

A half-experienced driver's self-drive trip along the Qinghai-Gansu Highway has landed safely. I'm still in Dunhuang. I just completed the Qinghai-Gansu Highway, which isn't a complete loop. Here's a brief overview of the itinerary, and I'll go into more detail later when I have time. 8-day itinerary, focusing on a relaxed lifestyle. Day 1: Land in Xining, start with a stroll and eat. Fly to Xining, explore the Qinghai Museum, and have Abu hot pot lamb for dinner. Stay at the Ibis Styles Delingha. Day 2: Start the self-drive trip by renting a car to Chaka. From Xining, drive to Chaka Salt Lake. Have dinner at Juya Cuisine and stay at the Qinglang Inn in Chaka. Day 3: From Chaka to Qilian, enjoy the scenery along the way. From Chaka, pass the Black Horse River at Qinghai Lake, the Dongger Viewing Platform, and Garila Temple before arriving in Qilian County. Dinner is spent at the century-old Old Street BBQ restaurant. Stay at the Hua'anju Quality Hotel. Day 4: From Qilian to Zhangye, Visiting the Big Buddha Temple In the morning, we visited the back of Zhuoer Mountain and arrived at Zhangye Big Buddha Temple in the afternoon. We had Futangge Malatang for dinner and ordered takeout from the roasted chicken. We stayed at the Hi Inn. Day 5: Mati Temple, Colorful Danxia, ​​and Return the Car In the morning, we visited Mati Temple and visited Colorful Danxia in the afternoon. Afterwards, we returned the car. We ordered takeout from Xiaogan Malatang for dinner and stayed at the Hi Inn. Day 6: Zhangye to Dunhuang, High-Speed ​​Rail In the morning, we visited the Zhangye Museum and in the afternoon, we took the high-speed rail to Dunhuang. We had Tianji beef noodles and Heshunyuan steamed buns. We stayed at Dunyiju, near Shazhou Night Market. Day 7: Dunhuang: Food and Beverage Tours, Mingsha Mountain In the morning, we visited the Dunhuang Museum. In the afternoon, we visited Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake. In the evening, we visited the Shazhou Night Market. We had Miji Lamb Noodle Soup, Huyang Braised Pancakes, and Changluo Housha Scallion Beef Pancakes. We stayed at the same hotel. Day 8: Mogao Grottoes, Preparing for Return We visited Mogao Grottoes in the morning and then flew out. We had breakfast at the time-honored Jianghai Breakfast Shop and lunch at Shunzhang Noodle House. Itinerary Planning: Don't rush, safety first We were traveling with two people, and one of us was a complete novice with no driving experience. Since we knew I would be the primary driver, we intentionally kept our itinerary short to avoid accidents. We were both pretty relaxed, not obsessed with hitting countless attractions or taking stunning photos. We woke up around 9:00 every day and didn't leave until after 10:00. Those with more abilities or a desire to see more can definitely plan a more packed itinerary. These are just some honest reminders, all from personal experience. Altitude Sickness: Even a Cruel Cantonese Cantonese Can withstand it I'm from Guangdong and have never been to high altitudes before. My physical condition is average, so I'm a bit of a cruel Cantonese. Aside from a slight headache from washing my hair on the third night, I didn't have any other noticeable symptoms. I occasionally felt a tightness in my forehead for the first few days, but it subsided with oxygen. After the fifth day, it was mostly gone. The B&B owner said to wait until symptoms appear before using oxygen, otherwise you'll become addicted and unable to adapt, which is quite true. Road Conditions: Most of the roads are easy to navigate. Except for Garila Temple and the section from Qilian to Zhangye, the rest are mostly paved roads, though there are many curves and it can be a bit bumpy at times. I rented a Volkswagen Tanyue, and it drove just fine. Clothing: The temperature swing between day and night is significant, so a windbreaker is essential. The temperature difference between morning and evening and midday is particularly large, and the wind is quite strong. I wear quick-drying clothes and pants. I sweat during the midday hours, but at night or when climbing the mountain, I add a windbreaker and a liner for colder days. It's completely sufficient. I didn't pay much attention to my outfit throughout the trip, but I saw many people dressed nicely and wearing full makeup. It depends on your skin. Skincare: It's very drying, so you must bring a skincare oil. The Northwest is really dry. I have combination skin, and just using a mask and lotion isn't enough. I need a skincare oil, otherwise it'll dry out and cause nosebleeds. Everyone should prepare skincare products according to their skincare needs. What's your biggest concern when driving the Qinghai-Gansu Highway? Have you ever had amazing Northwest milk tea? Ask me in the comments, I'll tell you everything! #Qinghai-Gansu Highway #Self-DrivingTour #NorthwestTravel #Dunhuang #Chaka Salt Lake #ColorfulDanxia #TravelStrategy #MogaoGreetings