01City Guide
Zhuoer Mountain Scenic Area
卓尔山景区
All Ages
Admission
Jun-Aug: admission and sightseeing shuttle usually cost CNY 60-80 together.
Typical Visit
Allow time for the shuttle and the main boardwalk walk.
Quick Facts
Ticket
Free roadside stop; no unified ticket office.
Hours
No fixed operating hours; access depends on weather and G213 road conditions.
Transport
No direct metro. Drive or arrange a private car from Qilian county seat (about 40 km and 1 hour).
Duration
15-30 minutes
Best Time
Clear, stable weather in daylight
Visitors
Visitors acclimatized to high altitude
How to Visit
1
Drive from Qilian county seat to Dadongshu Mountain Pass along G213, after filling the fuel tank.
The pass is about 40 km and around one hour from the county seat. There is no direct public transport; arrange a private car or shared ride if you are not driving.
Tip:Supplies near the pass are limited, so do not leave fuel and drinking-water purchases until after going up the mountain.
2
Treat the pass as a short roadside stop rather than a long walking destination.
At about 4,120 m, it has no unified ticket office or admission charge. Plan to stop in a safe parking area for only 15-30 minutes.
Tip:Do not run, walk quickly, or stay too long at this altitude. Descend immediately if you feel unwell.
3
Follow the order: parking area - elevation marker - prayer-flag area - return to the vehicle.
The main sights are close to the road and within a short walk, so there is no need to leave the road in search of distant viewpoints.
Tip:In strong wind or low temperatures, do not cross barriers or walk toward slopes for photographs. Keep the vehicle out of through traffic.
4
Check whether the G213 pass section is open on the day of departure, then choose the pass or the tunnel.
Call Qinghai's transport hotline, 12328, to confirm rain, snow, rockfall, or temporary controls. Use Dadongshu Mountain Tunnel if the pass is closed or conditions worsen.
Tip:Do not rely only on navigation apps. If their updates lag behind, driving toward the pass may force you to turn around.
Highlights
- At about 4,120 m, this is a road pass primarily for a high-altitude stopping experience.
- The open view can show snow mountains, grass-covered slopes, and changing cloud cover in stable weather.
- Prayer flags and the elevation marker are concentrated in a short stopping area, making this a practical roadside pause rather than a long visit.
- The mountain road between Gangcha and Qilian passes grassland, streams, and snow mountains, with the pass as a clear route landmark.
Insider Tips
✦Carry a windproof jacket or light down layer even in summer; wind and perceived temperature at the pass are much colder than in town.
✦Sunglasses, a hat, and high-SPF sunscreen are essential, as plateau UV exposure is strong even during a short stop.
✦The final road sections can have potholes, rockfall, or crosswinds. Slow down in a standard car and avoid driving there at night.
✦Download offline maps in advance because mobile signal is unreliable on parts of the mountain road.
✦If anyone in your group is not acclimatized or already has clear altitude-sickness symptoms, skip the pass and use the tunnel instead.
More Qilian Attractions
02City Guide
Qilian Mountain Grassland
祁连山草原
Admission
Free along public road sections; private pasture access and activities are separate on-site transactions.
Typical Visit
Flexible roadside stops as part of a driving day
03City Guide
Binggou Forest Scenic Area
冰沟林海景区
Admission
No unified ticket gate or admission charge.
Typical Visit
About 1 hour for the core walk; 2-3 hours for a fuller visit
04Nature Escape
Qilian Mountains Scenic Area
祁连山风景区
Admission
No unified ticket; individual stops have separate entry, fee, and parking rules.
Typical Visit
Flexible selected stops within a daylight driving day
05Built Heritage
Arou Temple
阿柔大寺
All Ages
Admission
CNY 15 for adults
Typical Visit
30-60 minutes
06Nature Escape
Amidongsuo Scenic Area
阿咪东索景区
Admission
Free entry from May to July 2026; register visitors and the vehicle plate at the east gate and sign the liability waiver.
Typical Visit
Allow time for entry registration, fixed stops, and west-gate exit before closing.