Avoid Pitfalls When Photographing Dunhuang Populus Euphratica Forest! Erdaoqiao Morning Mist + Sidaoqiao Portrait Test

Dear friends! The golden color of Dunhuang Populus Euphratica Forest really looks like an oil painting, but I have to share the pitfalls I encountered during National Day—going too early means no yellow leaves, crowded main roads full of people, and getting scammed by touts! This sandy guide is full of real shooting tips～

✅【Erdaoqiao】Morning mist with Populus Euphratica is the jackpot; if you wake up late, it’s all white!

Must-shoot time: 6-7 AM! Mist wraps the golden Populus Euphratica floating on the water. Stand on the stone steps by the water (don’t crowd the main road! Tour groups block it all 😤), shoot “Populus Euphratica + water reflection” from a low phone angle. When the sun just rises, the light spots on the leaves are amazing 🌫️
⚠️ Pitfall to avoid: Don’t come after 10 AM! The mist is gone and the backlight makes the leaves look gray; also don’t trust touts who say “take you to a lesser-known morning shooting spot,” they charge 50 yuan to take you around the sand, but the water edge at Erdaoqiao is already beautiful enough～ Real embarrassing story: The first time I woke up late and arrived at 7:30, the mist had already dispersed. I waited until 9 AM to catch the light, and my legs were covered in sand!

✅【Sidaoqiao】Portrait masterpieces, wearing the wrong clothes looks tacky!

Golden time: 9-10 AM! The sunlight is soft and not glaring. Choose a thick Populus Euphratica tree (the “Hero Tree” in the scenic area is perfect), wear a red or white dress (don’t wear yellow/brown! It blends in with the Populus Euphratica and looks like camouflage 😅), stand in the tree’s shadow facing the camera, touch the leaves and shoot candidly. When the wind blows and the skirt flutters, it’s stunning～
⚠️ Pitfall to avoid: Don’t use a wide-angle lens for full-body shots! It makes people look short. Use 1.5x focal length for half-body shots to highlight the Populus Euphratica texture; also don’t climb trees to shoot! My friend broke a small branch and was warned by staff, super awkward～ Last time I wore a beige dress, the photos blended with the Populus Euphratica and I deleted half the album as useless!

✅【Yidaoqiao】Panoramic empty shots, best in the afternoon!

Best time: 3-4 PM! The sunset dyes the Populus Euphratica forest golden red. Stand on the high wooden boardwalk (don’t crowd the lower level! You can’t get the full panorama), shoot horizontally with your phone “Populus Euphratica in the frame + distant sand dunes.” When no tourists intrude, it feels like entering a secret wilderness～
⚠️ Pitfall to avoid: Don’t shoot after 6 PM! The light dims quickly and the leaves aren’t clear; also don’t buy the 15-yuan “panoramic guide” at the scenic entrance. Just follow the boardwalk yourself; the highest spot has great angles～ Last time I listened to the guide and wandered for half an hour, but I found better spots on my own!

✅【Key Pitfalls to Avoid】Don’t spend money on these!

- Don’t go to the roadside touts’ “lesser-known Populus Euphratica forest”! They charge 50 yuan to take you to ordinary sandy Populus Euphratica, which is less dense than the scenic area;
- Don’t buy the full-route electric cart ticket! It’s a 15-minute walk from Erdaoqiao to Sidaoqiao, saving 20 yuan and you can stop to shoot anytime;
- Don’t buy scarves in the scenic area! 30 yuan each with poor quality, you can get them for 10 yuan at the city night market and even bargain～

📝 Itinerary suggestion:

Day 1: 6 AM Erdaoqiao for morning mist → 9 AM Sidaoqiao for portraits → 3 PM Yidaoqiao for panorama → sunset Populus Euphratica shoot (around 5 PM for the softest light)
Day 2: Visit Yumen Pass ruins on the way, shoot “Populus Euphratica + ancient city wall,” fewer people and great for solo shots, return to Dunhuang city in the afternoon

✨【Truly Local Secret】Pastoral family’s apricot skin water + shooting spot!

Next to Erdaoqiao is a herdsman’s hut (with a “Populus Euphratica Family” sign). Buy a cup of apricot skin water for 5 yuan, and the owner will point you to a small path—walk 100 meters inside to get close-up shots of Populus Euphratica roots with no crowd! Last time I shot “Populus Euphratica roots + water surface” here, my friends flooded my social media asking for the location 😂

Keep this guide safe and go shoot stunning photos at Dunhuang Populus Euphratica Forest! Remember to wear red/white dresses, bring a scarf, don’t wear canvas shoes (sand gets in and rubs your feet), and after shooting, enjoy a bowl of mutton noodle slices in the city to warm your heart～📸