Three Thousand Years of Vigilance—The Golden Epic of Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest

Deep in the deserts of Alxa, Inner Mongolia, the Ejina River nourishes a magical forest of life—the Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest. With the stubborn spirit of "living for a thousand years without dying, dead for a thousand years without falling, and fallen for a thousand years without decaying," it writes a life legend spanning three thousand years in the cracks between the Gobi and the desert. Every late autumn, it transforms into a golden ocean that shakes the heavens and earth, becoming a "fairy tale secret realm" sought by the world.

Stepping into this 450,000-mu (about 74,000 acres) poplar forest feels like entering a golden dream. From Bridge One to Bridge Eight, each spot hides a different stunning view. The "Poplars in Water" at Bridge Two is a classic: clear lake water reflects the golden trunks and leaves, and when the breeze passes, the shimmering water surface and the swaying shadows of the poplars make it hard to tell if the trees are in the water or the water is on the trees. Every snapshot is a breathtaking play of light and shadow. Bridge Four is home to the "Hero Forest," where the poplar trunks are thick and upright, branches twisting and stretching like armored warriors standing firm in the desert. Sunlight filters through the leaves, casting mottled golden shadows on the ground, fully displaying the poplars' vigor and grandeur. It is an excellent place for portrait and close-up photography.

The "Young Forest" at Bridge Seven exudes lively vitality. The young poplars have lush branches and tender golden leaves, less weathered and more vibrant. When the autumn wind blows, the golden leaves rustle, as if telling the story of thriving life. Bridge Eight borders the Badain Jaran Desert, where golden poplars embrace the vast desert. On one side stand tall trees, on the other rolling sand dunes. The collision of these two distinct landscapes creates a unique desolate beauty. Riding a camel through here, the sound of camel bells echoes in the wind, as if traveling back to the days of the ancient Silk Road.

Beyond the brilliance of the poplars, Ejina's autumn scenery has many layers. In the Heicheng Ruoshui Poplar Scenic Area, the poetic "Three Thousand Weak Waters" takes shape—along the Ruoshui River, poplars and reeds intertwine. At sunset, the river shimmers, and the distant ruins of Heicheng tell the rise and fall of the Western Xia Dynasty. The weight of history and the grandeur of nature merge here. The Strange Forest is the best witness to the poplars' "immortality." The dead poplars twist into shapes—some like swords pointing to the sky, others like beasts crawling on the ground. Bathed in sunset light, they form desolate and tragic silhouettes, with every branch telling a story of life's resilience.

From late September to mid-October each year is the most beautiful season for the Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest. The roughly twenty days of brilliance are enough to amaze for a whole year. When the first autumn breeze blows, the poplar leaves gradually lose their green, turning golden and orange-red. The entire forest seems ignited, blooming with the most passionate colors in the desert. In the morning, mist lingers among the trees, making the golden poplars appear faint and mysterious; at dusk, the sunset fills the sky, and the poplars shine even more brilliantly in the afterglow. It feels as if only this breathtaking golden color remains between heaven and earth.

The beauty of the Ejina poplars is not only a visual impact but also a tribute to life. They endure in extreme environments, interpreting resilience and perseverance over three thousand years. Every golden leaf and every dead wood is a life epic written by nature for humanity, waiting for every visitor to feel the power of life and the sediment of time in this golden ocean.

Post by SerendipityMajests | Oct 25, 2025