01City 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
Quick Facts
Ticket
Jun-Aug: admission and sightseeing shuttle usually cost CNY 60-80 together.
Hours
Summer: usually around 06:30-07:00 to 20:30; the last sightseeing shuttle is usually around 18:30.
Transport
No direct metro. Use the visitor centre and sightseeing shuttle as the arrival and uphill transport anchor.
Duration
Allow time for the shuttle and the main boardwalk walk.
Best Time
Summer daylight hours
Visitors
All ages
How to Visit
1
Schedule your visit during the daytime in summer and allow time to buy tickets in advance.
From June to August, admission and the sightseeing shuttle together usually cost CNY 60-80; in summer, the site usually opens around 06:30-07:00 and closes at 20:30. You can buy tickets one day ahead through Meituan, Trip.com, or the scenic area's official WeChat account.
Tip:Buying ahead helps reduce queuing but is not a mandatory reservation; if you plan to arrive in the evening, work backward from the last shuttle departure.
2
Take the sightseeing shuttle from the visitor centre up the mountain.
Private and outside vehicles cannot drive up the mountain; the shuttle takes visitors to the start of the wooden boardwalk at mid-mountain.
Tip:Do not mistake the parking area for an entrance where you can continue driving uphill, or you may lose time catching the shuttle and touring.
3
Walk slowly uphill from mid-mountain along the wooden boardwalk.
After getting off the shuttle, the main walking section still has about 250 metres of elevation gain, but it is mainly on relatively gentle wooden boardwalks; pause at viewpoints according to your fitness, then follow on-site signs downhill.
Tip:Do not walk quickly or run to rush between photo spots in the high-altitude environment; reduce walking and descend early if you feel clear discomfort.
4
Return to the shuttle boarding point before the last sightseeing shuttle.
In summer, the last sightseeing shuttle is usually around 18:30; even if the scenic area remains open until 20:30, treat the last shuttle as the main time limit.
Tip:Missing the downhill shuttle directly affects your departure arrangements, so do not leave all photography time until the final part of the evening.
Highlights
- Red Danxia landforms, grassland, and distant snow mountains create the main viewing layers.
- The sightseeing shuttle takes visitors to mid-mountain, allowing them to focus their energy on the main boardwalk and viewpoints.
- The boardwalk ascent is relatively gentle for travellers who want to avoid steep walking.
- After opening in the early morning and before the last shuttle, you can arrange your visit around the light and return-shuttle times.
Insider Tips
✦When buying tickets, confirm whether your selected ticket includes the sightseeing shuttle.
✦If you want to stay into the evening, confirm the day's last shuttle before deciding when to enter.
✦Summer mornings and evenings can still be windy and cool; bring a windproof outer layer and sun protection.
✦The boardwalk may look gentle, but wear non-slip shoes suitable for walking.
✦Start from the visitor centre and shuttle system; do not try to drive around the mountain.
More Qilian Attractions
02City 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
03Nature 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
04Built Heritage
Arou Temple
阿柔大寺
All Ages
Admission
CNY 15 for adults
Typical Visit
30-60 minutes
05Nature 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.
06Historic Walk
Ebao Ancient City Ruins Park
峨堡古城遗址公园
Admission
The ruins park and Ancient City Museum are separate visits; do not assume shared tickets.
Typical Visit
Short daylight stop for the ruins; allow separate time only if visiting the museum.