Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest is only beautiful for 21 days a year! Please keep this autumn yellow-chasing guide

This is a race against time. The autumn colors of the Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest are brief and resolute, blooming brilliantly for only about twenty days a year. When 400,000 acres of poplar trees turn yellow together, this place becomes the most splendid golden ocean on Earth.
【Itinerary Planning: 3 Days 2 Nights Yellow-Chasing Trip】
Day 1: Arrive at Dalaihubu Town, Ejina Banner. In the afternoon, head to Ruoshui Jinsha Bay Populus Euphratica Forest, where there are relatively fewer people and it is surrounded by the Heihe waterway, ideal for shooting poplar reflections as a warm-up.
Day 2: Core scenic area hike! Spend the whole day exploring the Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest Tourist Area (from First Bridge to Eighth Bridge). Highlights: Second Bridge Reflection Forest → Fourth Bridge Hero Forest (filming location of Zhang Yimou’s movie "Hero") → Seventh Bridge Dream Forest → Eighth Bridge Sand Sea Kingdom (northern edge of the Badain Jaran Desert).
Day 3: Early morning go to Juyan Lake to watch the sunrise (the sun rising over the reed marshes with migratory birds flying together is very spectacular), then visit Heicheng · Strange Forest (an excellent place for sunset silhouette photography), and return in the afternoon.
【Highlight Recommendations: Star Rating】
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Fourth Bridge Hero Forest: The poplar trees are huge and vigorous, with diverse shapes full of strength, making it a favorite spot for photographers.
🌟🌟🌟🌟 Second Bridge Reflection Forest: With abundant water, poplars, river, and desert coexist, it is a classic spot for shooting reflections in the water, especially suitable for early morning and evening photography.
🌟🌟🌟🌟 Strange Forest: This is a forest of dead poplars standing in various struggling postures in the desert. At sunrise or sunset, you can capture extremely tragic and story-rich silhouette masterpieces.
【Check-in Guide: Timeline Style】
Early morning: Go to Second Bridge to shoot morning mist and reflections, or to Juyan Lake for sunrise.
Morning to afternoon: When the light is best, go deep into Fourth Bridge and Seventh Bridge to capture the details and colors of the poplar forest.
Evening: Be sure to arrive at the Strange Forest before sunset to capture the most stunning light and shadow moments of the sun setting among the dead branches.
Outfit for photos: With a pure golden background, wearing red, white, or blue long dresses or scarves will be very eye-catching. You can also bring some ethnic-style accessories.
【In-depth Experience Story】
Standing under the poplar trees at Fourth Bridge, I truly understood the legend of "three thousand years"—living for a thousand years without dying, dead for a thousand years without falling, fallen for a thousand years without decaying. Some trees are hollow but still flourish; some grow twisted, bizarre in shape but full of vitality. Sunlight filters through the golden leaves, casting mottled shadows on the ground. Touching the rough bark, you can feel a resilience and loneliness that transcends a thousand years. This beauty, tinged with desolation and grandeur, strikes straight to the soul.
【Practical Information✍🏻】
Best time: Usually from late September to mid-October, but it varies slightly each year due to climate, so be sure to check the latest information before your trip!
Weather: Desert area with huge temperature differences between day and night and strong sandstorms; be sure to bring wind and sand protection clothing, headscarves, and sunglasses.
Tickets: The Populus Euphratica Forest scenic area uses a package ticket that includes shuttle buses; prices are relatively high and time-limited, so plan your route in advance.
Accommodation: During the Golden Week, accommodation in Ejina Banner is very tight and prices soar, so book several months in advance!
This limited golden feast is worth your careful planning and journey!