Splendid Pictures in the Sand

With his 2002 film Hero, director Zhang Yimou made the then unknown Ejina Banner an instant star. Audiences throughout the world were mesmerized by the county’s golden leaves flying all over the sky. In the northwest corner of Inner Mongolia, Ejina Banner is 400 kilometers from Jiuquan, notable for its satellite launches, and borders both Gansu Province and the country of Mongolia.
Included in Ejina’s diverse terrain are vast expanses of the Gobi Desert along with gorgeous poplar forests. Considered a camel hub of Inner Mongolia, Ejina is also home to a lengthy history and fascinating nomadic customs, which make it a popular draw for photographers and destination of China tourism. #415g5

Desert Hero
Tall poplars and thick rose willows flourish in Ejina’s vast wilderness. Flocks of sheep roam down slopes of sand dunes and through the woods as the setting sun produces a glowing silhouette of passing camels. It’s no wonder such scenery attracts picture-takers from near and far.

Along with its plentiful camels, the area’s wealth of poplars have also caused it to be dubbed the poplar capital, and there is little doubt that it is an ideal place to shoot and study poplars in China. From October to November is the best time to enjoy poplars because the sudden temperature drop paints the forests golden. In only a few days, the woods completely transform from lush green to radiant shades of yellow. With the backdrop of blue skies and vast expanses of desert, the vistas can be stunning. As the temperature continues to drop, falling leaves become another big attraction for photographers and tourists. Recently, Ejina has been hosting an annual poplar festival in early October, during which the photography contest is a central event and attracts so many tourists to search for best tours of China.

Ejina’s poplars huddle around the cyclical Ejina River. The densest forests can be found around branches of the river, with Erdaoqiao, Sidaoqiao, and Badaoqiao being the most popular scenic spots. Each spot was named after one of eight bridges that span the river. East of Ejina’s Dalaihubu Town, a bridge provides dry crossing of the river every two or three kilometers, starting from Yidaoqiao (literally “first bridge”) to Badaoqiao, the eighth. All of them are smothered by dense poplars. Well-read visitors have even jokingly compared the place to The Bridges of Madison County, even though Ejina has one more bridge than the seven of the locale featured in the novel. And visitors always consider to include it in their China tour deals.
The Ghostly Quaint Forest
About 28 kilometers southwest of Ejina’s Dalaihubu Town is a formerly dense forest of now-dead poplars. The so-called Quaint Forest is the remains of a former poplar forest that was consumed by the desert when the river altered its course. The forest has now been desolate for centuries, and through passage of time and changes in dynasties, the dead wood hasn’t decayed.
The Quaint Forest was once a lush primeval woods. Hehei and Beida Rivers, both originating in the Qilian Mountains, converge in Ejina to form a fan-shaped forest belt across the desert. However, over time the waterways change, resulting in large areas of dead trees such as the peculiar Quaint Forest.

Dead poplars can be found in a variety of shapes. Some remain standing upright, some have fallen completely horizontal, and others can even resemble animal bones. The seemingly endless ghost forest presents a stark contrast with glowing golden woods nearby — the juxtaposition becoming a favorite subject for photographers. A photographer with the internet handle “Black Coffee” described his experience of shooting sunset at the Quaint Forest on his blog:"When the evening glow pervades the sky, the dead poplars cast shadows in various shapes, harkening to the magnificence and vastness of life." The best time to have a popular China tour here is in October when the poplars' leaves turn yellow.
Past and Present Juyan Lake
When Juyan Lake is mentioned, Ejina River is usually not far behind. In the lower reaches of the Hehei River System, Ejina River’s source is also in the snow of Qilian Mountains. Historically, Juyan once referred to three lakes combined, but today only two remain: West Juyan Lake and East.
In ancient times, Juyan was notably fertile. With an abundance of water resources, thick seas of emerald grassland flourished on the banks, and the river nourished one of the oldest agricultural areas in China, playing an important role in the development of Northwest China’s ethnic groups. Last century, Ejina River began shrinking, and consequently Juyan Lake began drying up. However, in recent years, improved ecological measures have helped Juyan Lake regain some of its glistening splendor.

Visitors to Ejina, especially photographers, should not miss catching the sunrise at Juyan Lake. Before the sun rises each day, scores of people will already be eagerly crowding the shore. Of course, most of the optimum viewing spots are usually occupied by tripods and lenses aimed at the place where the sun will reveal itself. To ensure the best view for your China tour packages, some visitors will even camp on the lake overnight. Remember that the morning breeze can be quite chilly, but for those shivering through the darkness, the arrival of each stunning ray of light will surely bring piercing warmth.