Lop Nur People's Village Scenic Area is located in Dunuotan Township, Yuli County, Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 35 kilometers away from Yuli County and 85 kilometers away from Korla City. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. The scenic area covers a total area of about 72 square kilometers, located on the edge of the Taklamakan Desert, with the Tarim River running through it, forming a unique combination of natural landscapes such as desert, river, lake, grassland and poplar forest. With the ancient Lop Nur culture as the core, the scenic area retains the traditional lifestyle and architectural style of the Lop Nur people, serving as an important window to understand the history and culture of the Lop Nur people. The scenic area includes the Taklamakan Desert (the largest desert in China), the Tarim River (the longest inland river in China), the largest primitive poplar forest reserve and the ancient Lop Nur village. The unique natural and cultural landscapes attract many tourists for sightseeing.
History and Culture
The Lop Nur people are one of the oldest ethnic groups in Xinjiang. They live along the Tarim River, making a living by fishing and leading a primitive and simple life. According to historical records, the Lop Nur people have lived on this land for more than 2,000 years, and their history is closely connected with the rise and fall of the Silk Road. Historically, the Lop Nur people lived in the Lop Nur area. With the drying up of Lop Nur, they gradually moved to the banks of the Tarim River and settled down, forming the current Lop Nur People's Village.
The Lop Nur people have unique languages, cultures and living customs. They believe in Shamanism, worship nature and live in harmony with nature. Nowadays, although modern civilization has affected their lives, many Lop Nur people still retain traditional fishing methods and handicraft production, such as making canoes from poplar wood and weaving fishing nets. The Lop Nur People's Village in the scenic area centrally displays the traditional culture of the Lop Nur people. Visitors can watch the song and dance performances of the Lop Nur people, experience traditional fishing activities and feel the life charm of the ancient nation.
Main Attractions
Lop Nur People's Village
The Lop Nur People's Village is the core attraction of the scenic area and a concentrated display of the traditional villages of the Lop Nur people. The village retains many traditional Lop Nur houses built with poplar wood and red willow branches, with strong regional characteristics. The Lop Nur Culture Exhibition Hall in the village displays the history, culture, production and living tools of the Lop Nur people. Visitors can visit the traditional dwellings of the Lop Nur people in the village, watch the Lop Nur people make canoes and fishing nets in traditional ways, and enjoy the unique song and dance performances of the Lop Nur people to deeply understand the culture and life of the Lop Nur people.
Tarim River
The Tarim River, the longest inland river in China, flows through the Lop Nur People's Village Scenic Area, bringing rich water sources and vitality to the scenic area. Along the Tarim River, there are dense poplar forests. In autumn, the poplar leaves turn golden, forming a beautiful landscape with the river and desert. Visitors can walk along the bank of the Tarim River to enjoy the river scenery, or take a cruise to visit the Tarim River and feel the grandeur of the great river.
Taklamakan Desert
The Taklamakan Desert, the largest desert in China, and the desert area in the scenic area is an excellent place to experience desert scenery. There are tall sand dunes where visitors can carry out desert activities such as hiking, camel riding and sand sliding to feel the vastness and mystery of the desert. In the desert, unique desert plants and animals such as camel thorns and sand lizards can also be observed.
Poplar Forest
The scenic area has a large area of primitive poplar forests, which is one of the largest poplar forest reserves in China. The poplar forest is a unique ecological landscape in the Tarim River basin, with tenacious vitality, known as the "desert hero tree". In autumn, the poplar forest is golden, forming a beautiful picture with the desert and river. Visitors can walk in the poplar forest, enjoy the various postures of poplar trees and feel the magic of nature.
Cuisine
Lop Nur Fish Grilled
Lop Nur fish grilled is the most characteristic food in the scenic area. It selects fresh wild fish from the Tarim River, strings them with red willow wood and grills them over charcoal fire. The grilled fish is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with fresh and delicious meat and the fragrance of red willow, which is the traditional cooking method of the Lop Nur people. This grilled fish does not add any seasoning, only a little salt, but it can fully reflect the original flavor of the fish, which is a must-try food when coming to the Lop Nur People's Village.
Roast Mutton
Roast mutton is a characteristic food of Xinjiang, and authentic roast mutton can also be tasted in the Lop Nur People's Village. Select high-quality local mutton, cut it into large pieces, string it with red willow wood and roast it over charcoal fire. The roast mutton is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with fresh and delicious meat. Sprinkled with cumin, chili powder and other seasonings, it has a very unique taste. Visitors can taste delicious roast mutton in the barbecue area of the scenic area.
Nang (Xinjiang Traditional Bread)
Nang is a traditional pasta loved by all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, and it also has a unique production method in the Lop Nur People's Village. The nang made by the Lop Nur people is usually mixed with wheat flour and corn flour, added with sesame, onion and other seasonings, and baked in a nang pit. The baked nang is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a sweet taste. It is one of the favorite foods of visitors and a good tourist souvenir.
Tickets
The ticket price is 35 yuan per person, and other experience projects in the scenic area need to be charged separately. As of June 2, 2025, no official WeChat public account has been found.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open all year round from 8:00 to 20:00. Summer (June to August) is the peak tourist season in the scenic area. At this time, although the climate is hot, the poplar forest is green and the desert landscape is unique. Autumn (September to November) is the best season to enjoy poplar trees when the poplar forest is golden, and it is also the most beautiful season of the scenic area. In winter (December to February of the following year), there are fewer tourists in the scenic area, but you can experience the unique charm of desert snow scenery.
Tour Route
It is recommended that visitors adopt the following tour route: first visit the Lop Nur People's Village, understand the history and culture and traditional lifestyle of the Lop Nur people, and watch the song and dance performances of the Lop Nur people; then go to the bank of the Tarim River, enjoy the river scenery and take a cruise; then enter the Taklamakan Desert area, experience desert activities such as camel riding and sand sliding; finally go to the poplar forest area, walk in the poplar forest and enjoy the beauty of poplar trees. The whole tour is recommended to take 4-5 hours, and visitors can adjust it appropriately according to their interests and time.
Transportation
- External transportation: Starting from Korla City, you can take a bus to Yuli County at Korla Passenger Transport Terminal, which takes about 1.5 hours. After arriving at Yuli County, charter a car to the scenic area, which takes about 40 minutes. You can also drive from Korla City along G218 National Highway, with a total distance of about 85 kilometers and a driving time of about 1.5 hours.
- Internal transportation: The scenic area is large in area. It is recommended to take the scenic area sightseeing bus, which costs 30 yuan per person and can be taken unlimited times. You can also choose to ride a camel to visit the desert area, and the camel riding fee is about 80 yuan per person.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Lop Nur People's Village: The core attraction of the scenic area, displaying the traditional lifestyle and culture of the Lop Nur people. You can visit traditional dwellings, watch song and dance performances, experience handicraft production, and feel the charm of ancient nations.
- Poplar Forest: One of the largest primitive poplar forest reserves in China. In autumn, the poplar trees are golden, which is an excellent place for photography and sightseeing. You can walk in the forest and enjoy the various postures of poplar trees.
- Taklamakan Desert: The largest desert in China. You can experience activities such as camel riding and sand sliding, feel the vastness and mystery of the desert, and watch unique desert landscapes.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended that visitors wear comfortable sports shoes and long trousers to facilitate walking in the desert and poplar forest. In summer, prepare sunscreen products such as sunscreen, sunglasses and hats.
- The ultraviolet rays in the desert are strong and the climate is dry. It is recommended to carry drinking water and moisturizing products such as lip balm and moisturizing spray.
- When riding a camel, follow the guidance of the staff, wear safety equipment correctly, and do not make dangerous moves on the camel to avoid accidents.
- Respect the customs and habits of local ethnic minorities. When entering the Lop Nur People's Village, abide by the regulations of the village and do not disturb the life of the villagers at will.
- Autumn is the best season to enjoy poplar trees. It is recommended that visitors plan their itinerary in advance to avoid missing the best viewing period.
Precautions
- Part of the area in the scenic area is a desert. Visitors should abide by the regulations of the scenic area and do not enter the unopened area without permission to avoid getting lost or in danger.
- The temperature in the scenic area is high in summer. Pay attention to heatstroke prevention and cooling, avoid long-term activities in the hot sun, and carry heatstroke prevention drugs with you.
- The sand in the desert is large. It is recommended to carry a mask or scarf to protect the respiratory tract and eyes.
- The mobile phone signal in the scenic area may be unstable. It is recommended that visitors travel in groups and inform their families or friends of their itinerary in advance.
- When buying local specialties, it is recommended to go to regular stores or stalls to avoid being deceived, and at the same time, respect the labor achievements of local craftsmen.