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The hot summer quietly leaves, leaving behind the remaining warmth and golden ground.
If the green grasslands and herds of cattle, sheep and horses under the blue sky and white clouds are the romance of summer, then the colorful forests and poplar trees in the cool autumn breeze must be the tenderness of autumn.
As autumn arrives, the poplar trees, their green leaves turning yellow, stand tall in the desert beneath a clear, azure sky, as bright and radiant as the sun. When a cold wind blows, the tree's splendor transforms into a blanket of golden light, the final movement of life in full bloom. Each leaf holds up the sun, each vein brimming with energy. Sunlight flickers through the leaves, and annual rings condense on the branches.
Populus euphratica mostly grows in deserts and is cold-resistant, drought-resistant, saline-alkali-resistant, and wind-resistant. There are large and small Populus euphratica forests distributed in western Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Qinghai and Xinjiang in my country. When the autumn wind blows, the whole place is golden.
Just imagine, if we take an RV, cross the desert, and come to the beautiful poplar forest in autumn, and set up camp in the beautiful scenery, the autumn wind is no longer bleak, the desert is no longer desolate, and we look up at the starry sky. Isn’t it wonderful?
The yellowing of Populus euphratica leaves is closely related to temperature, humidity, and tree age. Generally speaking, yellow leaves begin to appear when the temperature drops to 5-10 degrees, and areas with less water and younger trees turn yellow first.
Generally speaking, the best time to view the Populus euphratica forest is from mid-to-late September to late October. If you want to experience the golden color covering the sky, it is recommended to visit between September 25th and October 15th.
Zhang Yimou's film "Hero" made the Yadan Devil City in Dunhuang, the Arrow Bamboo Sea in Jiuzhaigou, and the Ejina Populus euphratica forest hidden deep in the desert famous.
This Ejina Banner Populus euphratica forest has a large area, high density, and broad coverage. The trees are old and have beautiful shapes. The scenic area is rich in landscapes. After the release of the movie "Hero", the Ejina Populus euphratica forest has become more and more popular year by year, and tourists are flocking to it.
The extreme landscape, the poplar forests of various shapes and covering the sky are very photogenic and have attracted countless photography enthusiasts who come here to visit.
So where exactly is this poplar forest?
Ejin Banner, located at the westernmost tip of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, borders Gansu and Mongolia. With a total area of 114,600 square kilometers, it is the largest and least populated banner in Inner Mongolia.
As one of the world's only three remaining areas of poplar forest, it boasts one of China's top three most beautiful autumn landscapes, as ranked by National Geographic China. It's also a place of extremes. Aside from the 20-odd days when the poplar trees bloom with vibrant color, the remaining 340 days are filled with endless desolation.
This is the westernmost part of Inner Mongolia, and the terrain is mainly desert. Here you can easily experience the tragic feeling of "lonely smoke rising in the desert", and you can also feel the heroic spirit of the poplar forest standing and guarding the desert.
The vast Populus euphratica forest scenic area is the world's oldest and largest protected area. A winding river flows through it, punctuated by eight bridges. The scenic area is divided by bridges, and each bridge reveals a new world of poplars.
Erdao Bridge is full of primitive charm, with a wide waterway and the clear autumn water reflecting the golden poplars. It is also set against the backdrop of yurts and rolling sand dunes. It is the best spot to take pictures of reflections, sunsets and night scenes.
Sidaoqiao, also known as the Hero Forest, was the filming location for the movie "Hero." The densely poplar trees here create a golden sea of color. Located in the heart of the scenic area, this area is also ideal for RV camping.
The leaves of the poplar trees at Qidaoqiao are the first to turn yellow. Small trees dominate the landscape here, and while their shapes and postures vary, they are more refined, quieter, and less crowded.
Badaoqiao is located on the edge of the Badain Jaran Desert, where poplar forests coexist with the desert. At sunset, we'll watch the golden sands cast a captivating halo across the desert. We can also capture the winding sand dunes and the shadows of desert camels.
The sky is full of autumn colors and golden poplars. Only by going to Ejina Banner can you live up to the most beautiful autumn colors!
The Black Water City, buried in the quicksand, is the most complete and largest existing ancient city ruins on the ancient Silk Road. Fans of "Ghost Blows Out the Light" must be familiar with this name. Black Water City, also known as the "City of Death", overlooks the tall walls surrounding Black Water City from a distance. Although it has experienced years of wind erosion, it still looks very beautiful.
It is rare to see the glory of the entire city in its past. Legend has it that beneath these ruins, there are countless treasures buried...
Heishui City was a key agricultural and animal husbandry base and frontier fortress in the western region of the Western Xia. During the Yuan Dynasty, it served as a post station on the Hexi Corridor connecting to the Lingbei Province and served as the seat of the Heishan Weifusi, one of the Twelve Military Supervisory Offices of the Western Xia. Heishui City is called "Heishui" because the Heishui River flowed through it before the Yuan Dynasty.
With the distant poplar forest as the background, looking at the endless yellow sand and the broken walls, it looks even more solemn and vicissitudes in the afterglow of the setting sun.
Not far away, there is a poplar forest. The difference is that this is a dead forest, called the Strange Forest. The trees are in different postures, with their teeth and claws bared, as if they are trying their best to tell us something.
Legend has it that the strange forest is the home of the soul of General Black, who once protected Black City. The vast expanse of dead poplar trees forms a stark contrast to the golden poplar forest, creating a desolate yet enduring feeling.
Go there at sunset, and you will see many phantoms. Take silhouette photos against the light. The shifting light and shadows will capture a thousand years in one glance.
On the edge of Blackwater City, there is a poplar forest that is sparsely visited by tourists. As a newly developed scenic spot, the poplar forest in Ruoshui Jinsha Bay is not crowded with tourists and has not been overly modified by humans.
Under the love theme of "Three thousand rivers, but only one scoop", the bizarre poplar forest on the island always exudes tenderness, romance and poetry.
The water of Ruoshui River has eroded the scenic area here to form "Four Lakes, Two Islands, and Six-layer Forest", which perfectly integrates wild poplars, desert, and holy water.
The three "millennia" consisting of the "Millennium Secret Blackwater City", the "Millennium Immortal Strange Forest" and the "Millennium Immortal Poplar Forest" are truly spectacular.
After seeing the Populus euphratica forest in Inner Mongolia, let's move our gaze slightly south. In Jiuquan City, Gansu Province, to be precise, west of Chaohu Forest Farm in Jinta County, Jiuquan City, there is a very large Populus euphratica forest. This is the Jinta Populus euphratica forest.
The reason why this Jinta Populus euphratica forest is so large is that it belongs to the Three North Shelterbelt System. It is over ten thousand acres wide and is surrounded by tree species unique to the Northwest, such as saxaul trees, red willows and poplars. After decades of growth, the Populus euphratica gradually grows into a mature adult. In autumn, the green leaves turn yellow, and they appear brighter and more brilliant under the blue sky.
The unique reflection of Jinbo Lake in the Jinta Populus euphratica forest scenic area is the most iconic landscape here. The poplar trees are bright and lush, full of vitality, and their reflections in the clear lake are beautiful and tranquil.
There is a lookout tower in the scenic area that was built in imitation of a beacon tower from the Han Dynasty. It is 15.8 meters high. When you climb up, you can have a panoramic view of thousands of acres of poplar trees, vast forests, deserts and pastoral scenery. It is the highest point in the scenic area.
These four poplar forests, each with its own unique style, have formed their own desolate beauty in the desolate and vast autumn scenery of the Northwest, as if adding a touch of warmth to the bleak autumn wind whistling across the desert.
It is said that 90% of the world's poplars are in China, and 90% of China's poplars are in Xinjiang.
Xinjiang's beauty is undoubtedly unique. Snow-capped mountains and glaciers, canyons and lakes, grasslands and forests—except for the ocean—Xinjiang boasts every color imaginable. In this Xinjiang, poplar trees naturally have their own unique landscape, adding a touch of dazzling gold to Xinjiang's vibrant autumn.
In Uyghur, the name for the poplar tree is Toklak, meaning "beautiful tree." Uyghurs are known for their direct and romantic naming. The upright figure of the poplar tree in the desert is both beautiful and full of a sense of freedom, bursting with vitality.
There are four major poplar forests in China. In addition to the Ejina Poplar Forest mentioned above, there are also the Golmud Poplar Forest in Qinghai, the Golmud Poplar Forest from northern Xinjiang, and the Luntai Poplar Forest from the Tarim River Basin in southern Xinjiang.
However, in addition to these well-known poplar forests, there are scattered poplar forests throughout Xinjiang. They may not be famous, but their beauty is not inferior at all.
Northern Xinjiang is recognized as one of China's top ten autumn wonders by National Geographic. Late autumn in northern Xinjiang is a vibrant world, with snow-capped mountains, lakes, rivers, valleys, forests, and grasslands ablaze with color. The scenery is magical, like a breathtaking canvas. Two small, hidden poplar forests in northern Xinjiang are virtually deserted, standing quietly, awaiting the next millennium.
The Urho Populus euphratica forest in Karamay can be said to be a new star in the Xinjiang Populus euphratica forest. In the northern Xinjiang where the distribution of Populus euphratica is far less than that in the southern Xinjiang, this Urho Populus euphratica forest does not have century-old trees, but they also have different postures, full branches, and the branches are full of golden autumn leaves, showing their vigorous vitality throughout the autumn.
In the northern Xinjiang province of Altay lies the Irtysh River. It originates on the southwestern slopes of the Altai Mountains in China, and along its way, it merges with northern tributaries like the Kara Irtysh, Kelan, Burqin, and Haba rivers, forming a comb-like shape. After flowing into Kazakhstan, it flows north through Russia's Ob River into the Arctic Ocean. It is the only river in my country that flows into the Arctic Ocean.
The Irtysh River stretches 2,969 kilometers, but only 546 kilometers are within China. Flowing through three kingdoms, its most stunning scenery remains at its source. Although the Chinese section accounts for only one-fifth of its total length, it boasts even more vibrant scenery than its middle and lower reaches. The river flows in various forms, sometimes gentle, sometimes roaring, sometimes swift, sometimes slow, as it weaves through high mountain gorges, creating a truly spectacular sight.
The Burqin section is the most beautiful section of the entire Irtysh River.
In autumn, Wucai Beach, known as the best beach in the world, is adjacent to the rippling Irtysh River. It is rocky but barren, and contrasts beautifully with the lush and green river valley on the opposite bank.
The south bank is a vibrant oasis, while the north bank boasts the magical Yardang landform, with its crisscrossing ravines and shifting colors under the light and shadow, creating a bizarre and mysterious scene. The sunset at Wucai Beach is particularly breathtaking, with the warm, infinite light of the setting sun illuminating the beach, the luminous river, and the golden poplar trees.
Of course, the beautiful autumn scenery in northern Xinjiang is more than that. God has never been stingy in wielding his paintbrush and painting colorful colors on this land.
Wandering around the northern border, besides Populus euphratica, we will also see——
The gorgeous autumn turns this place into a gorgeous picture.
Baihaba Village, known as the No. 1 Village in Northwest China, was rated as "one of the eight most beautiful towns in China" by China Geographic.
This is a small village inhabited by both Kazakhs and Tuvans. All the houses in Hemu are simple log cabins scattered throughout the mountain valley. In autumn, the birch trees on the slopes flanking the village turn a brilliant golden hue, while the mountaintops begin to accumulate snow, creating a fairytale-like scene.
Autumn is the most vibrant season of the year. Unlike the intense heat of summer and the quiet of winter, Xinjiang quietly blossoms with vitality in autumn. Nature never hides its beauty, but even more of its beauty requires us to discover, record, experience, and personally experience it.
The autumn colors in northern Xinjiang are steady and romantic. Why not run together to fulfill this promise from afar in such a beautiful season!
China is so huge that even if I spend my entire life I cannot see all the beautiful scenery on this land, but we can leave behind the best memories of ourselves and the beautiful scenery in our limited life.
We advocate freedom and yearn for romance; we want to escape the shackles of life, live like mayflies in the world, roam the mountains and seas, and become one with the beautiful scenery.
