Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest in Ejin Banner, Inner Mongolia, is known to be one of the top three largest Euphrates poplar or desert poplar forests in the world. It has an area of 3,800 square kilometers (1,467 square miles) with eight bridges (sections). The forest is said to have the most beautiful fall in China. Countless visitors and photographers travel to Inner Mongolia to witness its wonder.
Populus Euphratica is the oldest poplar species ever found. They are living fossils in themselves. They are also called “heroes in the desert,” because they are remarkably resilient in the harsh desert environment. A local saying goes, “They remain alive for a thousand years after taking its roots, remain standing for a thousand years after its death, remain imperishable for a thousand years after its fall.”
Fast Facts about Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest
- Location: Dalaihob Town, Ejin Banner, Alxa League, Inner Mongolia, China
- Hours: 7 am-7 pm
- Tickets: CNY 240 for 1 day, CNY 350 for 3 days (both including tourist bus)
- Recommended Visit Time: 1-2 days
- Best Time to Visit: late September to mid-October
- Suited to: nature lovers, photographers
8 Bridges of Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest
1. First & Second Bridge
In First and Second Bridge of Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest, you’ll see the poplar trees, wetland, the desert, and elements of Mongolian life together in the same picture. There are Mongolian Aobaos, rivers flowing through the forest.
The clear water has made the Second Bridge of Ejina Desert Poplar Forest, the reflection forest, particularly famous. The golden leaves in the water are like paint floating on the surface. The atmosphere is quiet and peaceful. The Second Bridge is a popular spot to see the sunrise. You can even take a boat ride through the forests.
2. Third & Fourth Bridge
In Third Bridge of Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest, you’ll also find red willow bushes, adding tints of red to the picture. As you head to the Fourth Bridge, you’ll find a sight named “little strange forest,” a dead poplar forest. Dry trunks and roots, some remain upright, some lie on the ground. It’s grotesque and amazing at the same time.
The Fourth Bridge is known to be the hero forest. The poplar trees here grow in slat flats and the desert. Most of them are over a hundred years old. Their trunks are large and strong, and their crowns reach into the sky. It was also the shooting spot for a scene in the movie Hero by Zhang Yimou. The scene was so well done it made the Ejina Desert Poplar Forest a popular destination among its viewers.
3. Seventh & Eighth Bridge
As you enter deeper into the forest, the poplar trees in the Seventh Bridge are taller and larger. On your way, you might see locals on the backs of camels from time to time, or herds of sheep traversing through the trees.
The Eighth Bridge is where Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest meets the northern part of Badain Jaran Desert, China’s third largest desert. The scenery here is very different from other bridges. The golden, boundless desert, under the setting sun, is particularly gorgeous and poignant.
Best Time to Visit Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest
The best time to plan your Inner Mongolia tour to Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest is from late September to mid-October. This is when the poplar leaves transform into a magnificent golden color. But you might want to avoid traveling during Golden Week, October 1-7, when the area tends to be very crowded.
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How to Get to Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest
By Air: Fly into Ejin Banner Airport in Dalaihob Town. There are flights from cities including Xi’an and Hohhot. Then take a taxi or shuttle bus to Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest.
By Train: Take a train to Ejin Banner Railway Station in Dalaihob Town, about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) away from Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest. There is only one daily train available from Hohhot Railway Station. And the travel time is around 14-15 hours.
By Bus: There are long-distance buses from nearby cities such as Hohhot, Baotou, and Yinchuan to Ejin Banner Bus Station in Dalaihob Town. It is about 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) from Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest.
Attractions Nearby Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest
- Badain Jaran Desert is the third largest desert in China and a subsection of the Gobi Desert. It is renowned for its “five wonders,” sandy peaks, singing dunes, desert lakes, clear springs, ancient temples.
- Juyan Lake Wetland Park is a vast freshwater lake surrounded by sand dunes and grasslands. It is home to many species of birds and fish.
- Heicheng Ruins is the remains of the ancient city of the Xixia Dynasty buried under the sand for centuries.
- Strange Forest is an area with many dead poplar trees standing firmly in the Gobi Desert in all kinds of shapes and postures.
- Genghis Khan Mausoleum is the cenotaph of the great Mongolian ancestor and a site for local worship ceremonies.
Recommended Inner Mongolia Tours to Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest
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