Hami Dadao Road Self-Driving Complete Guide｜The Ultimate Guide to Crossing the "Mars Secret Realm"

🗺️ **1. Route Planning: East Entry, North Exit, Classic Crossing** 1. **Entrance Options**: - **East Gate** (towards Wubao Town, Hami): Navigate to "Dadao Road Scenic Area East Gate," 80% paved road, suitable for initial adaptation. - **North Gate** (towards Liaodun): Next to G30 Expressway, exit has a height limit barrier (2.2 meters), RVs need to detour on gravel roads. - **Classic Route**: East Gate → Hongliutan (80km paved road) → Pterodactyl Grand Canyon (20km corrugated road) → Tongtian Cave (must check-in) → Water Source → North Gate, total about **170 kilometers, 6-8 hours**. 2. **Alternative Off-Road Route** (4WD vehicles only): - Enter via Sandunzi Interchange or Sandaoling Coal Mine, explore the "Eye of Lop Nur," "Secret Great Wall," and other uninhabited area secrets, satellite equipment required. --- 🚗 **2. Vehicles and Equipment: The Core of Safe Crossing!** 1. **Vehicle Requirements**: - **Must be an off-road vehicle/SUV**! The road from Hongliutan to North Gate is gravel; sedans are prone to tire punctures and getting stuck. - Reference case: Some travelers successfully drove an MPV (Lantu Dreamer) through, but extreme caution is needed. 2. **Essential Equipment**: - **Emergency tools**: Spare tire, jack, tow rope, air pump, sand mats. - **Survival supplies**: 5L water per person + high-energy food (no supplies in the scenic area), sun hat/sunglasses/arm sleeves (surface temperature over 50℃ in summer🔥). - **Electronics**: Offline maps (Ovi Interactive Map), satellite phone (signal coverage <30%). --- 🌄 **3. Attractions and Time Arrangement: Efficient Check-ins Without Getting Lost** - **Core Attractions**: - **Tongtian Cave**: Natural wind-eroded rock cave, perfect for shooting interstellar photos📸 (located towards North Gate). - **Pterodactyl Grand Canyon**: 20km corrugated road, Yadan landforms like a giant dragon’s spine, do not stop while driving. - **Water Source**: Gobi miracle, chance to encounter wild camel herds. - **Time Recommendations**: - **Best Season**: Spring and autumn (April-May / September-October), avoid summer heat and sandstorms. - **One-day Crossing**: Enter before 8 AM, reach North Gate before 6 PM (temperature difference is huge after sunset). --- ⚠️ **4. Safety and Costs: Key Details!** 1. **Safety Rules**: - ❌ **No solo vehicle crossing!** At least 10 vehicles get stuck daily, travel in groups for mutual aid. - ❌ **Do not leave the main road**: Yadan landforms look similar and easy to get lost, follow tire tracks. - 🌪️ **Weather Warning**: Instant winds can reach level 12 (e.g., yellow warning on 2025-07-11), check "Hami Meteorological Station" before departure. 2. **Costs and Tickets**: - Ticket: 45 RMB/person + 100 RMB/vehicle, valid for 72 hours. - Fuel: SUV round trip consumes about half a tank (fill up in Hami city!). --- 🏨 **5. Accommodation and Food: Rest and Resupply Points** - **Accommodation**: - **Hongliutan Visitor Center**: The only hotel, 588 RMB/standard room (book in advance!). - **Hami City**: All Seasons Hotel (smart temperature control), Lanting Hotel (near night market, cost-effective). - **Food** (must-try on return): - Hami Night Market: Juicy grilled buns, spicy lamb trotters. - Specialty: Wubao Town Hami Melon (2.5 RMB/jin! Extremely sweet). --- 💎 **Ultimate Tips** - **Rescue Phone**: Sign the "Safety Notice" upon entry and keep the rescue phone number. - **Environmental Responsibility**: Take all trash with you! No cleaners in the uninhabited area. - **Mental Preparation**: The road is bumpy and dusty, but the stunning starry sky and Yadan landforms make all hardships worthwhile!✨ > 🌌 **2025 Update Notice**: North Gate added a 2.2-meter height limit barrier; RVs only allowed to enter and exit via East Gate; Mars Base capsule beds increased to 400 RMB/person. Let's go! This "alien wilderness" is waiting for you to claim the romance of billions of years of wind erosion～ 🚀