Golden Fairy Tale World! Complete 20-Day Blooming Guide for Jinta Populus Euphratica Forest

Enter the Golden Fairy Tale · Complete Guide to Jinta Populus Euphratica Forest
—— Gansu’s most photogenic autumn lasts only 20 days, miss it and wait another year!✨

🗓️ Best Viewing Time
Late September – Mid October (Golden 20 days of Populus Euphratica)
🌟 Peak period around October 1st, be sure to book your accommodation in advance!

🌍 Location
📍 Jinta County, Jiuquan City, Gansu Province
🚗 Transportation Guide:
Jiuquan Bus Station — Jinta County 50 minutes
Jinta County — Populus Euphratica Forest Scenic Area 15 minutes
All paved roads, easy access by sedan~

✈️ 3 Ways to Get There
1. By Plane: Nationwide ✈️ Jiayuguan/Jiuquan Airport
Rent a car upon arrival, 1 hour direct to the scenic area
2. By High-Speed Rail: Get off at “Jiuquan South Station” on the Lanzhou-Xinjiang High-Speed Railway
Carpool 40 minutes to Jinta
3. Budget Travel: Jiuquan Bus Station “Jiu-Jin Line” bus
Every 30 minutes, fare 18 RMB (last bus 18:30)

💰 Ticket Guide
Peak Season (July–October):
Ticket 65 RMB + Sightseeing Bus 20 RMB (unlimited rides)
Off-Season (November–June):
Only 30 RMB for the ticket
💡 Save 5 RMB by booking online one day in advance!
Queue starts at 7:30 during National Day, recommended to arrive by 6:50~

🏨 Accommodation Recommendations
① “Populus Euphratica Family” Homestay:
🏡 At the scenic area entrance, open the window to see the poplars
Standard room 280 RMB (480 RMB during National Day)

② “Jinta Hotel”:
🌟 Established three-star hotel with complete facilities
3-minute walk to the night market, very convenient

③ Luxury Wild Experience:
⛺ Desert starry sky tents (only 30 available)
880 RMB per tent including BBQ + bonfire

📸 One-Day Highlight Route (a must for photographers)
1️⃣ Golden Countryside Flower Sea
Beautiful background of verbena and sage
2️⃣ Desert Thorn Tree Boardwalk
Feels like the Land of Oz
3️⃣ Core Area of Jinbo Lake
Must shoot the water reflection of poplars!
4️⃣ Beacon Tower Climb
Panoramic view of ten thousand acres of golden sea
5️⃣ Couple Tree
300-year-old twin poplars growing side by side
6️⃣ Populus Euphratica Tower Sunset
Perfect spot for silhouettes + star trails

🍴 Food Highlights
🍲 Hu Guo (Thick Soup Pot):
📍 In front of the old cinema in the county town
Chicken soup base + fried dough twist, 10 RMB/bowl
🍜 Lamb Noodle Soup:
Freshly slaughtered lamb, free soup refills
Only 25 RMB per person, great value
🍢 Populus Euphratica BBQ:
Night market exclusive in October
Lamb hooves + gluten + apricot peel water

👗 Dressing Guide
Daytime 20℃ / Morning & Evening 5℃
Recommended “onion-style” layering
Photo color matching:
🔴 Red / ⚪ White / Navy solid color long dress
+ shawl for a high-end look
Must-have items:
🕶️ Sunglasses + SPF50 sunscreen
💧 Moisturizer (humidity <30%)

🔥 October Populus Euphratica Festival Exclusive Events
📅 7 days around National Day
✨ Featured programs:
Drone light show
Populus Euphratica fairy fashion show
Camel crossing through the poplar forest
Desert electronic music festival (separate ticket 88 RMB required)

🌟 4 Secret Photo Spots
1. Left bank of Jinbo Lake (before 07:30)
🌅 Windless mirror-like reflection
2. Diagonal line of Beacon Tower
🏜️ Poplars + desert + Great Wall beacon tower in one frame
3. Middle shot of Couple Tree looking up
❤️ Tree canopy forms a heart shape
4. Rooftop of Populus Euphratica Tower
🌌 Excellent spot for car light trails and star trails

⚠️ Notes
1. Best shooting windows:
07:30-09:30 / 17:30 until sunset
2. 💵 Cash is a must:
Small stalls/experience projects only accept cash
3. 🌳 Protect the poplars:
No carving or breaking branches
4. 🏔️ Altitude 1300 meters:
Avoid strenuous exercise

💫 Trip Summary
Save your annual leave for early October
3 days 2 nights immersed in Jinta Populus Euphratica Forest
When the first leaf falls on your shoulder
The entire northwest autumn becomes your stage!