Entering the real version of the golden fairy tale | Populus euphratica forest in Ejina Banner
|Populus euphratica forest in Ejina Banner. In-depth travel guide to the Populus euphratica forest in Ejina Banner, Inner Mongolia: Unlock the ultimate romance of "China's most beautiful autumn"! 🍂📸
1. Introduction to Populus euphratica forest in Ejina Banner
Located at the westernmost tip of Inner Mongolia, Ejin Banner has one of the only three remaining poplar forests in the world and is known as the "hometown of poplars."
- 🌟Three thousand years of watch: Populus euphratica "lives for a thousand years without dying, dies for a thousand years without falling, and falls for a thousand years without decaying". In the golden autumn season (late September to mid-October), the forest is full of colors, and the golden and azure blue are interwoven like an oil painting.
- 🏜️Secret place combination: Populus euphratica forest, Badain Jaran Desert, Black City Ruins and Juyan Lake together constitute the "Four Wonders of Ejina".
2. Best time to travel
- 🍁Golden time: September 25th - October 20th (the specific time fluctuates with the temperature every year, and the leaves remain yellow for about 20 days).
- 📅Tips for avoiding peak hours: There will be a lot of people during the National Day holiday, so it is recommended to go there in late September or mid-October.
3. Transportation Guide
1. Large traffic arrival
- ✈️ Aircraft:
- Directly to Ejin Taolai Airport (temporary flights are available during peak season, check for updates).
- Or fly to Yinchuan/Lanzhou/Zhangye and then charter a car/drive yourself (about 6-8 hours to Ejina).
- 🚗Self-driving:
- Go directly to G7 Beijing-Xinjiang Expressway and cross the uninhabited Gobi Desert along the way (bring enough fuel + offline maps).
2. Local transportation
- 🚌Scenic area bus: There are 8 bridges in the Populus euphratica forest scenic area, and the sightseeing bus connects the various scenic spots (tickets include bus fares).
- 🐫Desert experience: You can ride camels and go sand surfing in Badaoqiao Sand Sea Kingdom (100-200 yuan/item).
4. Core attractions and gameplay
1. Populus euphratica forest scenic area (1-8 bridges)
- Erdaoqiao Reflection Forest:
🌅Photograph the reflection of poplar trees at sunrise, with the water surface gilded, with a tripod + polarizing filter (best time 6:30-7:30).
- Sidaoqiao Heroes Forest:
🎬The filming location of "Hero", the tree trunks are rugged and vigorous, and the blockbuster movie is shot in red clothes (the drone aerial photography is even more shocking).
- Seven Bridges Dream Forest:
🍂The area where the leaves turn yellow first is suitable for taking close-up portraits. Soft light in the afternoon is recommended.
- Badaoqiao Sand Sea Kingdom:
🏜️At the northern edge of the Badain Jaran Desert, ride a camel to enjoy the sunset in the desert, and stay overnight in a desert tent to watch the stars.
1. Black City: Ruoshui Populus euphratica Forest
- 🏯Heicheng Ruins: The ruins of the ancient Xixia city, the coexistence of mysterious pagodas and the desert, and the sunset silhouette are full of vicissitudes.
- 🌊Ruoshui Jinsha Bay: Populus euphratica and Ruoshui River are interdependent, golden reflections + swaying reeds, a niche photography spot.
1. Juyan Lake
- 🦢Saibei Jiangnan: In the morning light, the reeds are golden and seagulls are flying. Arrive before 6:00 to grab a front-row seat.
1. Ceke Port
- 🚧At the China-Mongolia border, you can buy Mongolian chocolate and fur (ID card required, no drone allowed).
5. Itinerary planning suggestions
1. 3-day classic route
- Day 1: Sunrise at Juyan Lake → Ceke Port → Sunset at Black City Ruins and Strange Forest
- Day 2: Full-day photography of bridges 1-8 in the Populus euphratica forest (focus on bridges 2, 4, and 7)
- Day 3: Sunrise at Badaoqiao Desert → Return/Go to Jiayuguan/Zhangye
1. 5-day in-depth tour
- Added Badain Jaran Desert Crossing, Dongfeng Space City (advance notification required), and Jinta Populus euphratica forest (in Gansu, with few people and beautiful scenery).
6. Accommodation Guide
- 🏨In Ejina Town:
- During the peak season (September-October), room rates soar to 800-2000 yuan/night and reservations must be made one month in advance!
- Recommended: Ejina Jinyang Hotel, Family B&B (conditions are limited, convenient location is important).
- 🏕️Desert Camping:
- Badaoqiao or the edge of Badain Jaran Desert, about 300-500 yuan/top (including dinner + bonfire).
7. Food Recommendations
1. Camel meat pie:
🥙Local specialty, tender meat without any smell, "From Head to Hoof" restaurant has a good reputation.
2. Juyan Lake Grilled Fish:
🐟Juyan Lake wild carp grilled on charcoal, served with desert purple onions, 60 yuan per person.
3. Yogurt lumps:
🧀The herders make their own fermented cheese, which is sweet and sour and appetizing, and can be paired with brick tea to relieve greasiness.
4. Scallion scrambled eggs:
🌱Desert wild vegetables are fragrant, crisp and tender, and are a must-order for Ejina home-cooked dishes.
8. Photography and dressing tips
- 📸Best time:
- 1 hour after sunrise (6:30-8:00) & 1 hour before sunset (17:00-18:30).
- 👗 Outfit suggestions:
- Red/white long skirt (Poplar Forest), denim/workwear style (Desert), Hanfu/ethnic style (Black City).
- 🎒Equipment preparation:
- Use wide-angle lens to shoot large scenes, and telephoto lens to capture local light and shadow; use ND filter to shoot slow shutter speed and flowing water; and register drones (no flying in black cities).
9. Tickets and Budget
- 🎫Tickets:
- 240 yuan for the Populus euphratica forest scenic area (including sightseeing bus), 200 yuan for Heicheng Ruoshui Populus euphratica forest, and 60 yuan for Juyan Lake.
- 💰Per capita budget:
- 3 days and 2 nights: 2,500-4,000 yuan (accommodation during peak season accounts for the majority of the cost); 5 days and 4 nights: 5,000-7,000 yuan.
10. Notes
1. 🌡️Dry climate: Moisturizing cream, lip balm, and sunglasses are essential. The average daily temperature difference is 15℃+, so bring a windbreaker/thin down jacket.
2. 🚰Supply reserves: There are few restaurants in the scenic area, so bring your own dry food and water, and purchase fruit supplies in the town.
3. 🚫Environmental protection proposal: Do not trample on dead trees or litter, as the ecology of poplar trees is extremely fragile!
4. 📱Signal problem: There is no signal in the desert area. Download offline maps in advance and travel with companions.
Final Tips
- Follow the "Ejin Banner Culture and Tourism Bureau" official account in advance to get real-time reports on the yellow leaves of Populus euphratica.
- Self-driving cars can be parked in the free parking lot outside the scenic area to avoid congestion inside.
- Prepare a small amount of cash, as some herders’ stalls only accept cash.
If autumn is ten points beautiful, nine points are in Ejina! 🍁
Take this guide with you and experience the immortal autumn romance that has lasted for three thousand years! 🚗📷