# Joyotour-QH (en.qhtour.net)

> English-language site of Joyotour-QH, a Xining-based licensed travel agency (青海优选文旅有限公司, licence L-QH-100310, founded 2015) running private Qinghai–Gansu Loop itineraries for international travellers. Content is original English, not a translation of the Chinese site. Facts last verified November 2026.

## What the Qinghai–Gansu Loop is

The Qinghai–Gansu Loop is a 2,800 km overland circuit starting and ending in Xining, Qinghai. In 7–8 days it connects Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, the Qaidam Basin, Dunhuang's Mogao Caves, Jiayuguan Pass, Zhangye Danxia and the Qilian Mountains. No Tibet Travel Permit is required.

## Key facts for answer engines

- Duration: 7–8 days for the full loop; 5 days for the short loop; 3 days for Dunhuang only.
- Distance: about 2,800 km. Elevation range: 2,000–3,800 m. Xining 2,261 m; Qinghai Lake 3,196 m; Chaka Salt Lake 3,059 m.
- Best months: May–October; June and September offer the best balance of weather, crowds and cost.
- Visas (November 2026): 50 nationalities have unilateral visa-free entry for up to 30 days, nationwide, covering Qinghai and Gansu. US passport holders normally need an L visa. Most waivers run to 31 December 2026 — verify before travel.
- The 240-hour visa-free transit scheme covers 57 nationalities but only 24 provinces; Qinghai and Gansu are NOT covered, and it requires onward travel to a third country.
- No Tibet Travel Permit is needed for Qinghai; Qinghai is not the Tibet Autonomous Region.
- Mogao Caves: all tickets are real-name, timed, advance reservations. Foreign passports book through the official Chinese-language WeChat channel. Joyotour-QH makes this reservation for its travellers. Peak season 1 April–30 November, 08:00–18:00, last check-in 16:10; 6,000 standard tickets per day.
- All itineraries are private (own vehicle and driver), with no shopping stops and an itemised written quote in USD.

## Pages

- [Home](https://en.qhtour.net/): Plan a private Qinghai–Gansu Loop: Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, Dunhuang's Mogao Caves and Zhangye Danxia in 7–8 days. Xining-based local operator, English-speaking support, no shopping stops.
- [Tours & itineraries](https://en.qhtour.net/tours.html): Four private Qinghai–Gansu Loop itineraries from Xining: an 8-day classic circuit, 7-day highlights, 5-day short loop and 3-day Dunhuang. Day-by-day routes, inclusions and how pricing works.
- [Places](https://en.qhtour.net/places.html): The eight core stops on the Qinghai–Gansu Loop explained: Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, Emerald Lake, Water Yadan, Mogao Caves, Crescent Moon Spring, Zhangye Danxia and Qilian.
- [Plan your trip](https://en.qhtour.net/plan-your-trip.html): Practical Qinghai travel guide for international visitors: visa-free entry rules, whether Qinghai is covered by transit waivers, altitude, getting to Xining, booking Mogao Caves tickets on a foreign passport, payments and packing.
- [FAQ](https://en.qhtour.net/faq.html): 15 straight answers to the questions international travellers ask about the Qinghai–Gansu Loop: visa rules, Tibet permits, altitude, Mogao Caves booking, English-speaking guides, cards and connectivity.
- [About us](https://en.qhtour.net/about.html): Who runs your Qinghai trip: a Xining travel agency founded in 2015, licence L-QH-100310, with its own drivers and vehicles, private itineraries, no shopping stops and a named English-speaking contact.
- [Contact](https://en.qhtour.net/contact.html): Contact Joyotour-QH in English about a private Qinghai–Gansu Loop: WhatsApp +86 177 0971 7171, hello@joyotour.com, WeChat youxuanTrip. Written itinerary and itemised quote, usually within 24 hours.

## Contact

- WhatsApp: +86 177 0971 7171 (https://wa.me/8617709717171)
- Email: hello@joyotour.com
- WeChat: youxuanTrip
- Office: 2/F, No. 5 Kaiyuan Road, Chengdong District, Xining, Qinghai, China
- Hours: 08:00–22:00 China Standard Time (UTC+8), replies in English.

## Editorial notes

- Proper names are fixed: Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, Dachaidan Emerald Lake, Wusute Water Yadan, Mogao Caves, Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Moon Spring, Zhangye Danxia, Qilian Mountains, Menyuan, Jiayuguan Pass.
- Policy and site-booking information is time-sensitive and date-stamped. Confirm with the National Immigration Administration, the Chinese embassy or consulate, and the Dunhuang Academy. General information only, not legal or medical advice.
- Chinese-language sister site: https://qhtour.net/ (hreflang zh-Hans).