Ejin Banner Travel Guide: Meet One of the Largest Poplar Forests in the World
Located at the intersection of the Mongolian Plateau and the Altai Mountains, Ejin Banner in the remote western part of Alxa League in Inner Mongolia is a treasure trove for stunning natural landscapes and cultural heritage. If you are planning to add Ejin Banner to your Inner Mongolia travel list, this complete Ejin Banner Travel Guide will help you to experience the best it has to offer.
Nurtured by the Ejin River, this banner boasts diverse natural landscapes, including the golden hues of Populus euphratica forests in autumn, and the oases of Juyan Lake. Contrast starkly with its lush sceneries are the vast Gobi deserts. Here visitors can also enjoy the stunning desert landscapes and thrill of the desert adventures at the edge of the Badain Jaran Desert.
Since Ejin Banner is close to Gansu and Xinjiang, and an important gateway from the Mongolian Plateau into Central Asia, it served as an essential passage on the northern route of the ancient Silk Road. Its strategic location and valuable water supplies contributed to its attraction to many ethnic groups and the spread of various religions. The Heishui Ancient City in Ejin Banner, a well-preserved ancient city along the Silk Road, will offer you a unique chance to look into the past glories and vicissitudes of this region through its remaining walls and structures.
Chinese: 额济纳旗 é jì nà qí
Location: Westernmost End of Inner Mongolia
Population (urban area): 35,756
Ejin Banner Fast Facts
- Location: In the western part of Alxa League, Inner Mongolia, situated at the junction of the Mongolian Plateau and the Altai Mountains.
- Area: About 114,606 square kilometers
- Climate: Temperate continental climate
- Highlights to See: Populus Euphratica Forest is its top highlights; Heishui Ancient City (a significant historical site along the ancient Silk Road); Juyan Lake; Badain Jaran Desert; various ethnic cultures.
- Best Time to Visit: Late September to middle October in autumn when the golden leaves turn the Populus Euphratica Forest into a fairyland.
Top Tourist Attractions in Ejin Banner
Top Things to Do in Ejin Banner
Explore the Populus Euphratica Forest
A top highlight of Ejin Banner, the populus euphratica forest is most enchanting in autumn, especially between late September and early October. Besides the stunning visual spectacle created by the golden leaves, the forest is also a witness to the rich history of this area. As you wander freely in the forest and marvel at the scenery of the golden sea, you can also listen to your guides narrating the historical and cultural background of the forest.
Desert Adventure
Another can’t-miss in Ejin Banner is the desert adventure in the Badain Jaran Desert. Thanks to the rich natural wonders and various desert adventure activities it offers, the desert has become a hotspot for adventurers and nature photographers. The desert is home to some of the highest dunes in the world, and many blue lakes. You can ride a camel to explore its natural wonders, enjoy the thrill of sliding down the towering dunes, or hop on an off-road vehicle for desert surfing.
Stargazing
Thanks to its far western location and low population density, Ejin Banner, with minimal light pollution, is a paradise for astronomy enthusiasts. A high dune in the desert is the ideal point for stargazing, and the best times are usually around the new moon when the stars are especially prominent and brilliant.
More than regular stargazing, Ejin Banner is also the place to witness spectacular meteor showers. The Perseid meteor shower in August or the Geminid meteor shower in December will both provide you with an unforgettable experience.
History and Culture Discovery
With a history that can be traced back to the Han Dynasty, a trip to Ejin Banner will also reward you with a fascinating history and culture discovery.
You can enjoy a perfect blend of history and nature at Juyan Lake, which was an important oasis along the northern route of the ancient Silk Road, and currently serves as a habitat for various migratory birds thanks to its unique wetland ecosystem.
Heishui Ancient City from the Western Xia Dynasty will offer a glimpse into the remnants of ancient walls, pagodas, and a wealth of other artifacts of Western Xia.
Also, as a cultural melting pot of multiple ethnic groups, Ejin Banner is where you can experience the traditional nomadic life of Mongolians, taste authentic Mongolian cuisine, see architectural styles influenced by different cultures, and more.
Experience Intangible Cultural Heritage
Ejin Banner boasts diverse intangible heritage experiences, offering an opportunity to learn traditional crafts and look into the wisdom of local Mongolian people. Some of the most recommended intangible cultural heritage activities include felt embroidery, furniture painting of the Torgut Tribe, silver jewelry craftsmanship, and traditional Mongolian yurt construction.
Ejin Banner Weather and Best Time to Visit
Spring is when Ejin Banner enjoys comfortable temperatures. Also, it is the best time to observe swans in Ejin Banner when numerous swans migrate from the south to areas around the Ejina River. The Populus euphratica trees begin to reawaken in this time, with their tender shoots starkly contrasting with the yellow hues of the desert.
Autumn is the peak season of Ejin Banner, especially from late September to mid-October when the Populus euphratica forests burst into a dazzling spectacle of golden hues. Thus, it marks the best time for photography and immersive experiences in the region’s natural grandeur.
From September to early November, the clear skies and pleasant weather make this period the best time for stargazing in Ejin Banner.
In summer, the hot and dry climate makes it a low season for Ejin Banner. While you can avoid the sweltering heat of the day between 12:00-16:00, and enjoy a desert exploration and adventure in the early morning and late afternoon.
Ejin Banner Transportation: How to Get to and Travel Around
How to Get to
By air:
Ejinaqi Taolai Airport is the only airport in Ejin Banner that only offers limited flights to the surrounding regions. It’s recommended to fly to some bigger airport close to the banner first, like Jiayuguan Airport ( about 397.3 kilometers away) and Ganzhou Airport in Zhangye (about 517.3 kilometers away). From these airports, visitors can hail a private car or take a long-distance bus to reach Ejin Banner.
By train/bus:
Ejinaqi Railway Station is the only train station in Ejin Banner, operating one daily trip to/from Hohhot. The train trip will take about 16 hours.
Or, you can reach Ejin Banner by long-distance bus or coach from Jiuquan City, Alxa Left Banner, Alxa Right Banner, or Zhangye. The bus schedules are as below:
- Jiuquan – Ejin Banner: two buses daily, depart from Jiuquan Bus Station at 8:30 am and 11:00 am, take about 5 hours and cost about CNY 119 per person.
- Alxa Left Banner– Ejin Banner: one to three buses daily, depart from 8:00-8:30 in the morning, take about 8 hours and cost about CNY 100-140 per person.
- Zhangye – Ejin Banner:one bus daily, departs at 10:00 in the morning, takes about 9-10 hours and costs CNY 134 per person.
How to Travel Around
The Populus Euphratica Forest is near Dalaihob Town and can be easily reached by taxi or walking from some hotels. Given the large area of the scenic area, there are sightseeing buses available to allow easy transfers between different sections of the forest.
To get to Heishui Ancient City or Juyan Lake Wetland Park which are further from the center of town, it is recommended to charter a vehicle since no direct public transportation options are available.
