Ejina Poplar Forest

Background

The Ejina Poplar Forest lies in Ejina Banner, Alxa League, Inner Mongolia, about 2.5 kilometers from the center of Dalaihobu Town, the seat of the banner government, along the lower reaches of the Heihe River (called the Emunegaole in Mongolian). The scenic area's poplar belt is concentrated between the First and Eighth Bridges, stretching about 28 kilometers, and each bridge has its own scenery: at the Second Bridge the river widens and golden poplars are mirrored in the water, hence the name reflection forest; the Fourth Bridge has the densest poplars and is called the hero forest; the poplars at the Seventh Bridge are younger and turn yellow early, so it is called the dream forest; and the Eighth Bridge, on the northern edge of the Badain Jaran Desert, is called the sand sea kingdom. Southwest of town lies the strange-tree forest, where dead poplars in odd shapes cover the ground. The desert poplar withstands drought, windblown sand and salt-alkali soil, and can grow and reproduce in a desert with large day-night temperature swings, earning it the name "hero tree" of the desert. The Ejina Poplar Forest Scenic Area was established in 1992, and the Ejina Poplar Forest National Nature Reserve was set up later.

Local customs

• At dusk, photograph the golden poplars reflected in the water and the sunset at the Second Bridge
• at dawn, watch the desert sunrise at the Eighth Bridge, where you can also ride camels and go sand sledding
• take the scenic-area shuttle bus between the bridges, and also visit the Black City ruins, the strange-tree forest and Juyan Lake.

Travel tips

• The golden-leaf period usually runs from late September to mid-October, about three weeks, shifting earlier or later with each year's temperatures
• this is also the peak season, with extreme crowds around the National Day Golden Week and tight accommodation in town, so book tickets and rooms in advance. The Gobi sun is strong and the wind carries sand, so bring sunglasses, a hat and sun protection
• days can still be hot while mornings and evenings are cold, so bring a thick jacket and dress in layers. In summer the forest offers green shade, and other seasons see few visitors.
• You can fly to Ejina Banner Taolai Airport or take the train to Ejina Station
• you can also travel by bus or hired car from the Jiayuguan or Zhangye direction. The forest is not far from Dalaihobu Town and can be reached by taxi from town. The visitor center is at the First Bridge, and the scenic-area shuttle buses stop at the Second, Fourth, Seventh and Eighth Bridges
• check the scenic area's current arrangements.