Complete Guide to Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest: Photography Paradise + Travel Tips Sharing

“On a bike I ask the border, the vassal state passes Juyan. The wandering tumbleweed leaves the Han frontier, the returning wild geese enter the Hu sky. The desert’s lone smoke rises straight, the long river’s setting sun is round. At Xiaoguan I meet the marquis’s riders, the protector is at Yanran.”
Wang Wei’s famous poem "Envoy to the Frontier" describes this remote land, ancient Juyan, which is today Ejina Banner located at the westernmost part of Inner Mongolia bordering Mongolia. Ejina Banner is the largest banner in Inner Mongolia, and its seat Dalaihobu Town lies in the desert oasis of the Badain Jaran Desert, the world’s fourth largest desert, and one of the world’s only three remaining Populus euphratica forest areas.
Ejina Banner covers an area twice the size of Shanghai, yet its population density is only one person per ten square kilometers.

Travel Reflections on Ejina Banner✨

"If you love someone, take them to see Ejina in autumn, because it is a golden paradise🍁; if you hate someone, take them to see Ejina in spring, because it is a yellow sand hell🌪️"
No one would have thought this is actually the origin of China’s sandstorms🤯
Heaven and hell are really just a step apart‼️

📍Location Guide:
Western Inner Mongolia Plateau, adjacent to Gansu, bordering Mongolia to the north
Deep in this mysterious desert and Gobi🏜️
Lies a secret realm beloved by photographers🔍

🌟A once-a-year opportunity🌟
Only a 10-day golden viewing period each year
Too early👉the poplars haven’t changed color yet
Too late👉the leaves have been knocked off by autumn frost
October is the only chance to meet them, miss it and wait another year⏳

🔥Must-visit spots🔥
1️⃣ Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest Scenic Area
🕰️Opening hours:
9/10-10/31 7:00-17:30 (last entry at 17:00)
Night viewing period 10/4-10/31 19:00-22:00 (last entry at 21:00)
🎫Ticket: 240 RMB
📍100 meters east of Yidao Bridge, Dalaihobu Town
Recommended rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

2️⃣ Strange Forest
🕰️Open year-round 6:30-18:00
📍98 km on Jiuhang Road, Dalaihobu Town
Recommended rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

📷Photography Paradise:
✔️The spectacular "lone smoke in the desert"
✔️Mysterious Western Xia Black City ruins
✔️Millennia-old unfallen Populus euphratica forest
✔️The tragic and mysterious Strange Forest

💡Practical Tips:
✨Best shooting times: 2 hours after sunrise & 2 hours before sunset
✨Clothing suggestions: red/white clothes, avoid yellow tones
✨Must-have gear: sunscreen, mask, thermos cup

🌄The Populus euphratica forest is only beautiful for 10 days a year
Miss it and you have to wait 365 days‼️
Are you ready for this year’s Ejina appointment?💛