ideal city. There is a piece of color that makes my memory fresh, and a taste that makes me linger, this place is the "ideal city".
Started at the end of June 2019, and returned to Shenyang at the end of July this year (2022). In 138 days in three years, I drove a total of seven long and short distances, with a mileage of more than 52,000 kilometers. I have seen mountains and water. , "lit up" the night lights of nearly a hundred towns in other places, until the moon is full, and the moon is waning.
The night lights in a foreign country
Every time I go home, I have to sort out the expenses during the self-driving process and the photos I took. When I think back to a certain place, all the details are clear, the scenery I have seen, the food I have eaten, etc., as if it were just yesterday. Because of this, when you are fortunate enough to recommend a tourist destination to a friend, a certain place naturally becomes the focus of the introduction. This "a certain place" is the so-called "ideal city" in my self-driving experience, which is suitable for travel and travel.
My "ideal city", one state, two cities and one region. One state, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu; two cities, Dunhuang City, Gansu and Datong City, Shanxi; one region, Kashgar, Xinjiang.
One state
Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture . I set foot in three times in 2019, 2020, and 2021 respectively. The one city and seven counties under my jurisdiction have lit up the night lights of other towns except Zhouqu . Cities and counties, and between counties, are adjacent to each other for dozens of kilometers, and more than 100 kilometers away from each other.
Schematic diagram of Gannan route (excluding Zhouqu)
The Yellow River flows through the southernmost Maqu in Gannan Prefecture, and turns a big bend to the west, moistening the vast grass sea wetland. In the central and northern parts of the country, there are mountains and peaks, and there are many stone peaks. The endless grasslands and the splendid palaces all make me fascinated.
Cooperation·Milareba Buddha Pavilion
At the end of June 2019, our family of three set off in Shenyang by car, and arrived in Xining from Zhangye on the evening of July 8th. The original plan was to go north to Zhangye via Dunhuang, enter Qinghai to Xining, and then enter Gannan from Xining. Due to the rain, the only road bridge leading to Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang was damaged and could not be opened to traffic, so the itinerary was changed to Xining. From Xining to Gannan, this is the direction of the return journey. We haven't gone to Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, Qinghai Lake, and Chaka Salt Lake. After weighing it again and again, it is better to "replace the near and seek the far", go to the nearest Xiahe River in Gannan for a "shallow tour", and then return to Xining.
Overlooking Xiahe
Arrived in Xiahe from Xining on July 9th, and tried Tibetan food for the first time that night. On the morning of July 10, it was also the first time to visit Labrang Monastery, a magnificent Tibetan Buddhist monastery. In the afternoon, it was also the first time to visit the vast Sangke grassland. We really didn't "know" anything, it was the "first time", and self-driving was also the "first time". Before that, travel can only be said to be love, and self-driving is a luxury. Return to Xining in the evening.
Xiahe·Sangke Grassland
The "epidemic" broke out in early 2020, and it was brought under control until the middle of the year. Good news about tourism came out frequently, including the scenic spots in Gannan Prefecture, which are free for domestic and foreign tourists to visit. Of course, we can't miss this opportunity to save money and make up for the regrets of Gannan last year, design a self-driving Gannan route, and wait for the time to come. This year, the child is not at home, so my wife and I discussed it and decided to find a friend and a husband and wife to travel with us, so that we can save some money. The idea and the experience of having a "shallow tour" in Gannan, saying that with friends, hit it off.
Luqu·Zecha Shilin
On October 1st, four of us and one car set off from Shenyang and arrived in Lanzhou on the evening of October 4th. Entering Gannan from Lanzhou on October 5th, passing Zhuoni County / Lintan County /Hecheng City/ Xiahe County / Luqu County / Maqu County / Diebu County , 10 I left Gannan on the 11th and arrived at Dangchang that night. Visited Yeliguan National Forest Park/Chici Zen Temple/Dayugou National Forest Park/Milareba Buddhist Pavilion/Labrang Monastery / Sangke Grassland / Zecha Stone Forest / Gahai Lake / Langmusi Town / The First Bend of the Yellow River in the World / Zhagana and other scenic spots.
Diebu·Zhagana
arrived on the evening of October 6 to complete the accommodation and consult the front desk of the accommodation hotel for local "delicious and cheap" dinners, recommending Tibetan and halal meals. According to the directions, I went to the Tibetan restaurant first. The two-story storefront was full. If I want to eat, I have to wait, but I can’t wait. Anyway, they are all in the same direction, and halal restaurants are not far away. Compared with the Tibetan restaurant I visited just now, this halal restaurant is much less popular. There is no crowd, and the restaurant is quiet. After being seated, order food with the "help" of the service staff, of course, our favorite lamb chops. In the past, halal dishes were more "greasy", but today, especially the lamb chops, not only light, but also very fresh, subverting my "understanding" of halal food.
Cooperation·Halal meal
Cooperation·Halal meal/lamb chops
On August 28, 2021, my wife and I departed from Shenyang, and on September 1, we went from Tianshui through Zhuoni , and arrived at Lintan that night. This is the third time we "set foot" in Gannan, although it is not a "special trip", but it is also deliberately done, just to take a "Road Road". The so-called "Road Road" refers to the G248 national road from to , and I specifically refer to the section between Zakulu and Zagana, which is about 100 kilometers away. When I was in Zhaga last year, I planned to take this road, but I gave up because of bad weather and landslides. This year "deliberately did it", but also to make up for last year's regret.
G248 Along the way of Locke
On September 2, from Lintan along G248, we passed through Zakulu and entered the way of Locke that we wanted to go. The road is really not easy to walk, if it catches up with the rainy day, it is estimated that you have to give up. But we are very lucky today, it is a sunny day and the scenery is very beautiful, which is exactly the saying "infinite scenery is on the dangerous peak". This section of the road normally travels for about 4 hours, and we walked for more than 9 hours before arriving at Zhagana in the evening. Early the next morning, the rain poured down, but fortunately it was not in time for yesterday. The rain did not stop, so he left Zhagana in the rain, and also walked out of Gannan.
two cities
one city, Dunhuang . In 2019, when our family just had the idea of self-driving and we didn’t have a clear direction, the first thing I thought of was going to Dunhuang. Without thinking, he blurted out, it must be a long-buried wish. The lonely smoke in the desert, the Buddhist shrines in the grottoes, I heard about it when I was very young, distant and mysterious. By 2019, it is still far away and still mysterious.
Dunhuang·Mogao Grottoes
On June 29 of the same year, our "long-planned" first self-driving started from Shenyang. Arrived in Zhangye on the evening of July 5th, and spent two days in Zhangye. On the 8th, we should go to Dunhuang as planned. The "reason" mentioned earlier, but diverted to Xining. When it will be "open to traffic", it is not known yet, we can only take a step by step, and the first self-driving will be twists and turns. On the night of arriving in Delingha on the 12th, I finally saw the dawn. The road and bridge between Dunhuang and Mogao Grottoes, which were interrupted by rain, can be opened to traffic after emergency repairs, and the Mogao Grottoes are open to tourists.
Dunhuang·Mogao Grottoes
Arrived in Dunhuang from Delingha on the evening of the 13th, settled down at the booked homestay, and started looking for a place to have dinner. Why don't you go to the Shazhou Night Market and look for it while shopping, there is no goal anyway. donkey meat yellow noodle , you know it is one of the local delicacies without introduction. I have seen ten restaurants, at least five of them are operating. We don't want to spend any more "brain", since it is a local feature, it's okay to have a taste. Donkey yellow noodles are delicious, but not the point.
Dunhuang·Crescent Moon Spring
In a secluded place called "Weiji", I ordered yellow noodles with donkey meat, fried shallots, and found lamb skewers. We started this time from our departure, and passed through Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Qinghai and other places until Gansu. Wherever we went, as long as there was mutton skewers for dinner, we had to order a bunch of mutton skewers, because our family loves to eat them, and today is no exception. . There are two kinds of mutton skewers, one is usually eaten, and the other is the Nangkeng mutton skewers that have never been eaten. It is slightly more expensive, but the meat is large. Then try the Nangkeng mutton skewers, per personLet's have a bunch. We also ordered a plate of donkey meat, and we were worried that we would not be able to eat it. The outside is crispy like cicada wings, the meat is soft and glutinous, not greasy, not greasy, and delicious. Every time I think about it, it makes my mouth water.
Hami·Nangkeng Mutton Skewers
We came to this restaurant again for dinner the next day. We ordered one less plate of donkey meat, two skewers per person, and the noodles and dishes were the same as yesterday. "Nang pit" should be a unique way of Xinjiang, which was carried forward by Dunhuang. After that, we drove to Xinjiang twice in 2021 and 2022. In different places, we also tried to try Xinjiang's Nangkeng mutton skewers. This practice is very rare. We only encountered it in Hami, but compared to Dunhuang. To be "inferior" a lot.
Hami·Donkey meat yellow noodles
Note: The above two pictures of Nangkeng mutton skewers and donkey meat yellow noodles are photos taken by self-driving in Hami this year. I drove myself for the first time in 2019, I lacked "experience" and did not take pictures for "memorial", so I used this picture instead.
There are three types of ABC tickets for visiting the Mogao Grottoes. A type ticket needs to be reserved one month in advance. This is the first time we drove so far by ourselves. Class C tickets are no longer our choice, only class B tickets are optional. Class B tickets also need to be reserved, one day in advance, but after arriving in Dunhuang. I started making an appointment in the middle of the night in Dunhuang, but it didn't work, so I can only continue to work hard tomorrow night.
Dunhuang·Mingsha Mountain
I won't be able to go to Mogao Grottoes on the 14th, so I can visit the Crescent Moon Spring in Mingsha Mountain with peace of mind. After playing in the afternoon, I went back to the city and ate the Nangkeng mutton kebabs I was thinking of again. In the evening, I went to the Crescent Moon Spring in Mingsha Mountain again. The blazing sun during the day scorched the sand and mountains, and people could not open their eyes. In the evening, when the sun went down, the sand mountain also cooled down rapidly, and we could have "close" contact. Climb to the top of the mountain, overlook the Crescent Moon Spring, and wait for the sunset to set. A beautiful picture, which makes people linger and do not want to leave for a long time.
Dunhuang·Mingsha Mountain
Back to the residence in the middle of the night, the Mogao Grottoes' visit ticket was finally reserved. On the afternoon of the 15th, I arrived at the Mogao Grottoes. The B-type ticket can only visit four caves, and the visit is over in less than an hour. There are few caves to visit, and the visit time is also a little short. Before leaving, ask the staff if you want to visit these four caves again? uncertain.
Dunhuang·Mogao Grottoes
I really want to come back to Dunhuang, maybe I can see different caves in Mogao Grottoes, maybe I can eat Nangkeng mutton skewers again.
a city, Datong . The "knowledge" of Datong can be said to be a "coincidence". It was our family’s self-driving car ride in 2019. We were in a hurry to go home because of the child’s accident in the middle. On July 18, after Wuwei , after continuous running, we arrived at Pingyao on the evening of the 19th. In the middle of the night, the child told us embarrassedly that his affairs had been arranged, and there was no need to hurry. On the way home on the 24th, he could first send him to Tangshan, Tangshan. Playing in Pingyao for a day, there are still two days left, and I still have no idea where to go. Children recommend to go to Datong. This is how we "know" with Datong.
Datong · Ancient City (Winter 2019)
arrived in Datong on the evening of the 21st. The hotel was booked by the child, and the restaurant for dinner was also found by the child, which is all the way from the hotel. This meal, lodging, and the tour the next day made us come twice later, staying in the same hotel and eating in the same restaurant, which has not changed. Everyone has their own tastes, which are different. The taste of this restaurant called "Kaige Restaurant", I think, is "in line with" the taste of the public. It is not special, nor is it an authentic Shanxi taste. The most important thing is the meticulous service, considerate way of meals, and fair prices. As soon as we sat down, the stomach-warming pumpkin porridge was served on the table. If you want to taste a few more dishes, you can order them in half. As for the price, for us outsiders, it is very, very "close to the people". When we arrived, we saw that the seats upstairs and downstairs were full. For the locals, it should be "close to the people".
Datong·Kaige Restaurant (2022)
The next morning after we visited the Yungang Grottoes, it started to rain.Visited Huayan Temple in the rain. That night, it was the same hotel and the same restaurant. On the 23rd, it rained and the weather was fine, and we also left Datong.
Datong·Huayan Temple (Summer 2019)
After returning from self-driving in the summer of 2019, I have the opportunity to "show off" with my friends. The speaker is interested, and the listener is also interested. My friend asked me if I would like to drive together once, and of course I did. At the end of the year, friends can't take a long vacation, so I will take a short trip, and I want to go to Datong again.
Datong·Yungang Grottoes (Winter 2019)
On December 13th, my wife, friend, husband and wife, four people in one car, set off from Shenyang and arrived in Datong that night. No need to spend time comparing. On the way, my wife made a reservation for the hotel we stayed in. It was the one we stayed in before, and the one before dinner, just like before.
Datong·Shanhua Temple (Winter 2019)
We went to Yungang Grottoes the next morning. Although we have been there, our friends have not been there. This cannot be omitted. Return to the city in the afternoon, visit Shanhua Temple, Kowloon Wall, and then visit the ancient city. Huayan Temple, we have been here, this is omitted. The night meal remains the same.
Datong · Hanging Temple (Winter 2019)
On the third day from Datong, we visited the Hanging Temple at the foot of , Beiyue Hengshan, and then went to Yingxian Wooden Pagoda to visit. Yingxian Wooden Pagoda is located in Shuozhou, but about 60 kilometers away from Datong. It forms a triangle with Datong City and Xuankong Temple. It is a "must pass" place to enter or exit Datong. it is good. After that, return to Shenyang via Taiyuan.
Shuozhou·Yingxian Wooden Pagoda (Winter 2019)
At the beginning of June this year, my wife and I were driving in Tibet and Xinjiang. Before we set off, we listed Datong as a stop on our return journey. We visited Huayan Temple in the rain in 2019. of insufficiency. Starting from Baotou on July 22, we can arrive at Datong at 2-3 pm as planned, but encountered traffic jams on the way, and only entered Datong urban area after 5 pm. Huayan Temple is open until 6 o'clock in the evening, and it is no longer in a hurry to go there. It's interesting to think about it. It started to rain when I came in the afternoon. At the same time, the rain just stopped. If I arrived at 3 pm as planned, it would rain again, which is exactly the same as the big day on July 22, 2019. Stay at ease, eat at ease, still the hotel, or the restaurant.
Datong·Huayan Temple (2022)
On the 23rd, it was also raining and the weather was fine, so I finally revisited Huayan Temple again.
A region
Kashgar, on the Chinese map, the farthest place from my hometown Shenyang, nearly 5,000 kilometers by car one way. In 2022, my wife and I decided to drive to Tibet and Xinjiang while we were still healthy. The focus of Tibet is the "highest" Ali , we have been to Xinjiang once, this time the focus is the "farthest" Kashgar.
Kashgar · urban area
departure from Shenyang on June 11, 2022, enter Xinjiang from Tibet on July 3rd, and arrive at the Thirty Mile Barracks that night. On the afternoon of July 5th, we arrived in Kashgar via Yecheng and . After arranging accommodation, we walked to the ancient city of Kashgar for "shopping". Today's temperature is 30°C. I was wearing cotton clothes in Tibet a few days ago, and I feel uncomfortable. Coupled with the fatigue of the long journey, after walking around for a while, I wanted to find a place to rest.
Kashgar·Ancient City
Before we came out of the hotel, we had already selected a good restaurant to satisfy our cravings. After all, we were dealing with "simple meals" for several days. Navigate to set the destination, follow the directions to arrive at the restaurant, the simple facade is a little surprised after entering. Uyghur style decoration, showing luxury, I thought it was the wrong place. Confirmed to be "Nolan", but we can't afford "luxury". After sitting down, I flipped through the menu, and after re-confirmation, I didn't go out of the place.
Kashi·Nolan
There are many dishes on the menu that we can't understand. We can only look at the picture analysis on the menu, or click "familiar". The waiter is a Uighur girl, see what we wantMeals, have to laugh out loud. Tell us in Mandarin that is not very proficient, you have to pack and take away what you can't finish. It probably means that I ordered too much to eat. Re-examined and communicated slowly in the same way, removing the shelf meat and pilaf, and replacing them with lamb chops. The Uighur girl still gestured with a smile, changing the lamb chops into smaller portions.
Kashi·Nolan/lamb chops
Lamb chops and thin-skinned buns are all "dry goods" and need a soup. We couldn't explain it to this Uighur girl, so we found a chickpea rice on the menu. Although it is called "rice", look at the pictures on the menu, it is similar to the porridge in our hometown, but it is "clearer" than porridge, so let's drink it as soup. The Uighur girl signaled, that's enough, that's enough.
Kashi·Nolan/Chickpea rice
Chickpea rice and lamb chops are served first, and by the time the thin-skinned buns are served, there is no room left in the stomach. I still ordered too much, and I couldn't make people "joke". I barely finished the thin-skinned buns, and I couldn't bend down.
Kashgar Nuolan/Thin-skinned buns
In 2020, we ate lamb chops that could be called "delicious" at a cooperative halal restaurant in Gannan. This time, the lamb chops we ate in Kashgar, Xinjiang, were completely different and better than others. . Waxy but not greasy, soft but not oily, bite into the mouth, the meaty fragrance overflows the mouth. Whether it is a good breed of sheep or a different approach is unknown. I asked the Uighur girl, she explained to us with difficulty for a long time, but we still did not understand. As for the thin-skinned buns, when you've already eaten up, what else is there to whet your appetite.
Kashgar · Baisha Lake
The reason why Kashgar area fascinates us is that "Nolan" is an unexpected gain, mainly Pamir Plateau . On July 6th, we went to Tashkorgan via G314 as planned, visited Baisha Lake and Taheman Wetland along the way, arrived at Tashkorgan at 5 pm and finished accommodation. After that, I went to Stone Town Xia Jincao Beach to visit. At around 9 o’clock in the evening, I watched the Tajik compatriots fashion show performance, accompanied by the theme song “Why Flowers Are So Red ” from the movie “Guests on the Iceberg”. Sing, go back to the hotel.
Kashgar·Stone City Xiajincaotan
From Tashkurgan on July 7, we continued southward to the " Wakhan Corridor ", a "special" geographical location. This "special", for us, the "farthest" domestic self-driving can reach. Go back to the original road, pass the Panlong Ancient Road, and experience the "thrilling" of driving hundreds of detours in the Pamirs.
Kashgar-Wakhan Corridor
The sandstorm has been relatively heavy these two days. I plan to take a close look at Muztag along the way, and change it to a "far view". Returning to Kashgar in the evening, the air was filled with sand and dust, and I wanted to go to "Nuolan". The hotel where I stayed again was a little far away, I was not familiar with parking, and the air was not good and I was a little tired. I didn't go to "Nuolan", and I took a bite nearby. Come again because of Muztagh? Because of "Nolan"?
Natural scenery and cultural scenery, we will generally agree, you can find it. The so-called gourmet food will vary greatly due to the different eating habits of each person. If you "ran across" a meal that suits your taste during the journey, you are fortunate!
Thanks for reading
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