The Alxa Populus Euphratica Forest Scenic Area is located in Ejin Banner, Alxa League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and is a national 5A-level tourist attraction. The total area of the scenic area is approximately 390,000 mu, with the core area covering about 150,000 mu. It is mainly characterized by the golden populus euphratica forest landscape in autumn, and is one of the three remaining primitive populus euphratica forests in the world, as well as the most concentrated distribution area of populus euphratica in China. Populus euphratica enjoys the reputation of "living for a thousand years without dying, standing for a thousand years after dying, and remaining unrotten for a thousand years after falling". Most of the populus euphratica in the scenic area are over a hundred years old, and some ancient trees are over 800 years old. The scenic area not only has dense populus euphratica forests but also includes diverse landforms such as deserts, Gobi, and lakes. Among them, the Ejin River (Heihe River) flows through the area, providing water sources for the survival of populus euphratica and forming a "green miracle in the desert". The scenic area is equipped with complete facilities such as sightseeing trails, viewing platforms, and a visitor center. The visitor center covers an area of approximately 3,000 square meters, and there are more than 20 various viewing platforms. It is a tourist attraction integrating ecological sightseeing, popular science education, and folk custom experience.
Historical Culture
Ejin Banner has a long history. It is an important node on the northern route of the ancient Silk Road and a place where ethnic groups such as the Xiongnu, Dangxiang, and Mongols thrived. As early as the Neolithic Age, there were human activities here. The discovered Lvcheng Ruins and Heicheng Ruins within the territory are important witnesses of ancient Western Regions civilization.
Heicheng Ruins is one of the most representative historical sites around the scenic area. First built during the Western Xia Dynasty, it was a significant city on the northern route of the ancient Silk Road, renowned for the large number of Western Xia documents and Buddhist artworks unearthed within the city. During the Yuan Dynasty, Heicheng became an important military and political fortress in the northwest. Later, it was gradually abandoned due to the diversion of the Ejin River and the intensification of desertification. Nowadays, although only broken walls and debris remain at Heicheng Ruins, the urban layout of that time can still be discerned, making it important material evidence for the study of Western Xia culture and the process of desertification.
Populus euphratica has a special status in local ethnic culture. The Mongols call Populus euphratica "Taolai" and regard it as a symbol of tenacious vitality. Throughout history, local herdsmen have lived in dependence on Populus euphratica, forming many legends and customs related to it, such as using Populus euphratica branches for sacrifices and making daily necessities from Populus euphratica wood. These cultural elements are integrated into the display of the scenic area, allowing tourists to feel the profound historical heritage while enjoying the natural landscape.
In addition, Ejin Banner is an important part of Alxa League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The local Mongolian Turgut tribe has a glorious history. They returned to the motherland from the Volga River basin in the Qing Dynasty, and their patriotic spirit and unique folk culture are still inherited today. The annual Populus Euphratica Culture Tourism Festival combines natural landscapes with historical culture through folk performances, photography exhibitions, etc., attracting many tourists.
Main Attractions
First Bridge (Taolai Forest)
First Bridge is located at the entrance of the scenic area and is the starting point of the Populus Euphratica Forest Scenic Area. It is named after the first bridge on the Ejin River. "Taolai" refers to Populus euphratica in Mongolian. The Populus euphratica forest here is relatively young, with relatively sparse trees, but a large water area. The branch of the Ejin River flows through here, forming a "Populus euphratica in water" landscape. In autumn, the golden Populus euphratica is reflected in the clear river water, with sparkling waves, presenting a pleasant scene. The scenic area has a large parking lot and a visitor center here, where tourists can transfer to the scenic area's sightseeing bus. The visiting time is about 1 hour.
Second Bridge (Reflection Forest)
Second Bridge is one of the most famous attractions in the scenic area, known as "Reflection Forest", covering an area of about 500 mu. The Populus euphratica here is tall and dense, and the Ejin River forms a wide water surface here. The branches and leaves of Populus euphratica form a clear reflection in the water, especially at sunrise or sunset, when the sun shines on the golden leaves and the water surface, with interlacing light and shadow, making it a paradise for photographers. Second Bridge is also equipped with a wooden plank road with a total length of about 2 kilometers. Tourists can go deep into the forest along the plank road to watch the posture of Populus euphratica up close. The visiting time is about 1.5 hours.
Fourth Bridge (Hero Forest)
Fourth Bridge is called "Hero Forest" and is famous because Zhang Yimou's movie "Hero" was filmed here, covering an area of about 800 mu. The trunks of Populus euphratica here are thick and have various shapes. Many Populus euphratica grow on sand dunes, showing tenacious vitality. Some ancient Populus euphratica trees are over 500 years old, with trunk diameters up to 1.5 meters, and are lush and leafy, making it one of the most spectacular areas of Populus euphratica in the scenic area. There is a "Hero Platform" viewing platform in the forest, from which you can overlook the entire Populus euphratica forest. The visiting time is about 2 hours.
Seventh Bridge (Dream Forest)
Seventh Bridge is located in the depths of the scenic area, covering an area of about 600 mu, featuring "Dream Forest". The Populus euphratica here is mainly young trees with relatively slender trunks. When the leaves turn golden, it is like a golden ocean. Compared with other areas, the Populus euphratica in Seventh Bridge is more gentle and beautiful. Moreover, the tributaries of the Ejin River form many puddles here, and the Populus euphratica and their reflections in the puddles set off each other, like a dream. The leaves of Populus euphratica in Seventh Bridge usually turn yellow about 1 week earlier than in other areas, making it the first place to enjoy golden Populus euphratica in autumn. The visiting time is about 1.5 hours.
Eighth Bridge (Sand Sea Forest)
Eighth Bridge is the only area in the scenic area connected to the desert, with a total area of about 1,500 mu, integrating Populus euphratica and desert landscapes. The desert here belongs to the edge of the Badain Jaran Desert, with sand dunes up to 50 meters high. Tourists can experience activities such as sand sliding and camel riding in the desert. The Populus euphratica on the edge of the desert grows in the gravel, forming a sharp contrast with the golden sand dunes, showing the survival ability of Populus euphratica in extreme environments. Eighth Bridge is equipped with a desert viewing platform and a desert camp. The visiting time is about 2 hours.
Cuisine
Hand-Grilled Mutton
Hand-Grilled Mutton is a traditional food in Alxa League and can be found in restaurants in Ejin Banner. It uses locally raised mutton, cut into large pieces with bones, boiled in clear water, and eaten with salt or mashed garlic. Local mutton is famous for its tender meat and no mutton smell. Hand-Grilled Mutton retains the original flavor of mutton and is the first choice for herdsmen to entertain guests. In the yurt restaurants around the Populus Euphratica Forest Scenic Area, tourists can taste freshly cooked Hand-Grilled Mutton, paired with local vegetables such as sand onions, with a unique flavor.
Sand Onion Buns
Sand onions are wild plants growing on the edge of the desert, rich in vitamins and minerals, and are local characteristic ingredients. Sand Onion Buns use sand onions as the main filling, paired with minced mutton or pork, added with appropriate seasonings, with thin skin and sufficient filling, and a fresh and fragrant taste. The freshness of sand onions and the mellow aroma of meat blend with each other, with a unique taste and certain health care effects. Sand Onion Buns can be eaten in breakfast shops or restaurants in Ejin Banner, with a reasonable price, usually 5 yuan each.
Suoyang Oil Cakes
Suoyang is a specialty Chinese medicinal material in Alxa area, with the effects of tonifying the kidney and moistening the intestines. Local residents often use it for cooking. Suoyang Oil Cakes are made by mixing Suoyang powder with flour, adding yeast for fermentation, and then frying. They taste crispy, with a light medicinal fragrance and sweetness. This delicacy is not only delicious but also has therapeutic effects, and is a local specialty snack, which can be bought at snack stalls around the scenic area, with a price of about 3 yuan each.
Camel Milk Wine
Camel Milk Wine is a traditional drink of the Alxa Mongolians, made from camel milk through fermentation. It has a low alcohol content, usually between 10-15 degrees, with a mellow taste and a milk fragrance. Camel Milk Wine is rich in protein and amino acids, with certain nutritional value, and is a drink for local herdsmen during festivals or when entertaining guests. In the yurts around the scenic area, tourists can taste freshly brewed Camel Milk Wine and learn about its brewing process, with a price of about 50 yuan per bottle (500ml).
Tickets
The ticket price is 240 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "额济纳胡杨林景区" to get the latest news or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours
The opening hours of the scenic area are adjusted according to the season: from April 1 to October 15 each year, the opening hours are 6:00-19:00 (during the Populus Euphratica Festival from October 1 to October 15, the opening hours are extended to 6:00-20:00); from October 16 to March 31 of the next year, it is the off-season, and some areas of the scenic area are open, with opening hours of 8:00-17:00. The best time to watch Populus euphratica is from October 5 to 15 each year, when the leaves of Populus euphratica are golden and the scenery is the best. The specific time may fluctuate slightly due to the climate.
Tour Route
On the morning of the first day, arrive at the scenic area's visitor center, transfer to the sightseeing bus to Second Bridge (Reflection Forest), enjoy the Populus euphratica and reflection landscape, take photos of the sunrise (if getting up early), which takes about 1.5 hours; then go to Fourth Bridge (Hero Forest), visit the filming location of "Hero", and watch the ancient trees up close, which takes about 2 hours; at noon, have a meal in the catering area near Fourth Bridge, taste Hand-Grilled Mutton, Sand Onion Buns and other delicacies, which takes about 1 hour.
In the afternoon, go to Seventh Bridge (Dream Forest) to visit the golden young Populus euphratica forest, which takes about 1.5 hours; then go to Eighth Bridge (Sand Sea Forest) to experience desert activities (such as camel riding, sand sliding) and enjoy the combined landscape of desert and Populus euphratica, which takes about 2 hours; in the evening, return to Second Bridge to take photos of the beautiful sunset of Populus euphratica, which takes about 1 hour; then return to the entrance of the scenic area to end the day's trip.
On the second day, you can choose to visit the attractions you haven't enjoyed enough according to your interests, such as the Populus euphratica in water at First Bridge, the details of Hero Forest at Fourth Bridge, etc., or go to attractions around the scenic area such as Heicheng Ruins and Strange Tree Forest (tickets need to be purchased separately) to further enrich the itinerary. It takes about 1-2 days to visit the core area of the scenic area, and 3 days if including surrounding attractions.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Starting from Alxa Left Banner (Bayanhot Town) of Alxa League, drive along S218 Provincial Road and S312 Provincial Road to Dalaihubu Town, Ejin Banner, with a total distance of about 630 kilometers and a driving time of about 8 hours; starting from Jiuquan City, Gansu Province, drive along S214 Provincial Road to Dalaihubu Town, Ejin Banner, with a total distance of about 390 kilometers and a driving time of about 5 hours; the scenic area is located about 2 kilometers southeast of Dalaihubu Town, and you can drive directly to the scenic area's parking lot, with a parking fee of 10 yuan per day.
- Airplane: The nearest airport is Jiuquan Dunhuang Airport, about 400 kilometers away from Ejin Banner. There are tourist chartered cars from the airport to Ejin Banner, with a cost of about 500 yuan per car (can seat 4 people) and a driving time of about 5 hours; you can also take a plane to Yinchuan Hedong International Airport, then transfer to a long-distance bus to Ejin Banner. The total distance from Yinchuan to Ejin Banner is about 800 kilometers, with a driving time of about 10 hours and a bus fare of 180 yuan per person.
- Long-distance bus: Dalaihubu Town of Ejin Banner has a long-distance bus station, with daily buses to and from Jiuquan City (departing at 8:00, driving time 5 hours, fare 80 yuan per person) and Alxa Left Banner (departing at 7:00, driving time 8 hours, fare 150 yuan per person); from Dalaihubu Town to the scenic area, you can walk or take a taxi, with a taxi fare of about 10 yuan.
- Scenic area sightseeing bus: The scenic area implements sightseeing bus connection, with 1-8 bridge stations in total. The through ticket includes the cost of the sightseeing bus, which can be transferred infinitely. The first bus is at 6:30, the last bus is at 19:30, and the driving time between each station is about 10-15 minutes.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Second Bridge (Reflection Forest): Featured by Populus euphratica and water reflections, especially suitable for shooting at sunrise and sunset, covering an area of about 500 mu, with a 2-kilometer-long wooden plank road, and a visiting time of about 1.5 hours.
- Fourth Bridge (Hero Forest): The filming location of "Hero", with dense ancient Populus euphratica trees, thick trunks, most of which are over 500 years old, with the largest trunk diameter of 1.5 meters, and a visiting time of about 2 hours.
- Eighth Bridge (Sand Sea Forest): The only area integrating Populus euphratica and desert, with sand dunes up to 50 meters high, where you can experience sand sliding and camel riding (cost about 100 yuan per person per hour), and a visiting time of about 2 hours.
Travel Suggestions
- The best travel season is from October 5 to 15, when the Populus euphratica is golden and the scenery is the best. It is recommended to book accommodation 1 month in advance because the rooms are tight during the peak season.
- The distance between the stations of the sightseeing bus in the scenic area is relatively long. It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes and carry a light backpack with water, snacks, cameras and other items.
- In autumn, the temperature difference between morning and evening in Ejin Banner is large, with daytime temperatures about 15-25℃ and nighttime temperatures dropping below 5℃. You need to carry coats, scarves and other warm clothes.
- The catering price in the scenic area is relatively high (for example, Hand-Grilled Mutton is about 80 yuan per catty). You can purchase dry food and water in Dalaihubu Town and bring them into the scenic area. The restaurants in the town are more cost-effective.
- Photography enthusiasts are recommended to carry wide-angle lenses and telephoto lenses. The best shooting times are at sunrise (about 6:30-7:00) and sunset (about 18:30-19:00).
Matters Needing Attention
- Randomly breaking branches or carving on the trunks of Populus euphratica in the scenic area is prohibited. Violators will be fined (500-2000 yuan) to protect the ecological environment of Populus euphratica.
- In autumn, Ejin Banner has a dry climate and strong winds. It is necessary to carry moisturizing skin care products, lip balm, windproof and sandproof masks or scarves to prevent dry skin and sand from getting into the eyes.
- During the peak season (October) of the scenic area, there are a large number of tourists, and there may be queues for sightseeing buses. It is recommended to travel during off-peak hours and arrive at the scenic area before 6:30 a.m. to avoid crowds.
- Mobile phone signals in the scenic area are good, but signals in some desert areas are weak. It is advisable to keep in touch with companions to avoid getting separated.
- Respect the customs and habits of local Mongolian people. You need to take off your shoes before entering a yurt, accept milk tea offered by the owner with both hands, and do not take photos of herdsmen without permission.
- For self-driving travelers, it should be noted that some sections in Ejin Banner may experience sand and dust weather in autumn, resulting in low visibility. It is necessary to drive slowly and turn on the vehicle lights.