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Tarim Forest Park generally refers to Tarim Poplar National Forest Park. Here is a travel guide for you:
💻 Basic Information
Tarim Poplar National Forest Park is located 70 kilometers south of Luntai County in Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, along the desert highway. Covering a total area of 100 square kilometers, it is the largest, densest, and best-preserved natural poplar forest in the world and is a national AAAA-level scenic area.
⛺️ Best Time to Visit
The autumn color season of the poplar trees is short, usually about half a month. The best season for the poplar forest in Luntai mostly falls between mid-October and mid-November each year, when the leaves turn golden and the scenery is magnificent.
✈️🚘 Transportation Guide
By Plane✈️: You can fly to Korla Airport and then transfer to other transportation to reach the park.
By Train🚄: Take a train to Korla Station, then transfer to a shuttle bus to Luntai County.
By Car: You can charter a car directly from Urumqi or start from Luntai County and drive about 70 kilometers along the desert highway to reach the park. The scenery along the way is beautiful, and you can stop anytime to enjoy and take photos.
By Public Transport🚌: Take a shuttle bus from Bazhou Bus Terminal to Luntai County, with buses every 30 minutes, ticket price 38 yuan, and a travel time of about 2.5 hours. Then transfer at Luntai Bus Station to a shuttle bus to Taheqiao Town, which runs every 2 hours, ticket price 18 yuan. Get off at the park entrance. For the return trip, you can catch a bus from Taheqiao Town to Luntai County on the roadside. The last bus from Luntai County to Korla departs at 20:00.
✅ Park Layout and Attractions
The park is divided into the Visitor Service Area, Sightseeing Area, and Leisure and Entertainment Area.
Visitor Service Area: Integrates dining, accommodation, entertainment, and shopping to provide convenience for visitors.
Sightseeing Area: Features a scenic road about 17 kilometers long with 126 bends, running through the ancient poplar forest. Here, you can admire poplars in different seasons and forms, experiencing their majestic spirit. In autumn, the golden poplar forest contrasts beautifully with the Tarim River, creating breathtaking views. You can also see precious animals such as the Tarim red deer, white cranes, wild boars, and wild camels. Additionally, the park includes attractions like the Luntou Ancient City Ruins, Lunnan Oilfield Meritorious Well No. 2, Desert Highway, Monument, and the first station of the West-East Gas Pipeline.
Leisure and Entertainment Area: Connected by a 13-kilometer circular sightseeing railway linking 4 to 5 large forest lakes. The poplars by the lakes are lush, turning golden in autumn, with beautiful reflections in the water. You can ride the sightseeing train and enjoy the fun of "leaping over green grasslands, dashing through red willow bushes, passing reed marshes, crossing the Qiyang River, and circling the forest lakes," fully embracing the charming scenery of the desert's southern beauty.
✅ Recommended Itinerary
Day 1: Visitor Service Center - Sightseeing Area - Poplar Sculpture Park - Poplar Forest Park - Desert Highway - Cangtou Ancient City Ruins - Leisure and Entertainment Area.
Day 2: Leisure and Entertainment Area - Sightseeing Train - Tarim River - Qiyang River - Forest Lakes - Visitor Service Center.
✅ Dining and Accommodation
You can stay at inns near the Tarim River Bridge at night, which are relatively inexpensive. For food, there are mixed noodles, naan bread, lamb skewers, hand-pulled rice, naan-wrapped meat, thin-skinned buns, Tarim Lake grilled fish, lamb trotters, pulled noodles, yogurt, milk tea, red willow grilled meat, specialty cold noodles, specialty baked naan, poplar lamb, poplar mushrooms, grilled buns, and fruits such as grapes, Hami melon, and watermelon.
⚠️ Notes‼️
Bring appropriate clothing according to the season. The UV rays are strong, so pay attention to sun protection. The temperature is low in autumn, so prepare warm clothes. There are many mosquitoes, so take mosquito precautions. The climate is dry, so stay hydrated. It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and prepare enough food and water.
- The poplar forest in the park is dense; pay attention to safety, do not climb or damage the trees, and do not destroy the vegetation.
- Follow park regulations, no smoking, no littering, and other uncivilized behaviors. Protect the environment well.