65 million years ago, an asteroid struck the Earth, causing the Cretaceous creatures to become extinct, and the once dominant dinosaurs also died indirectly.
The time comes to 2021. If there is any way to see the world during the Phanerozoic period, it is probably to look for the world's oldest rare tree species that has existed for 135 million years - "poplar".
"Born without falling, falling without dying, dead and immortal" poplar, located in an arid land, has amazing drought resistance, wind and sand and other abilities, known as the "desert hero tree".
Although 90% of the poplars on the planet are in China, only 20 days of the year (mid-to-late September to mid-October) are suitable for viewing. A touch of gold, thick and open, showing the world a lonely, tenacious vitality.
To choose one of these 20 days, the first choice must be Ejin. Today, I will introduce it to you.
01
Why Ejina
The full name of the "Ejin Banner" (旗, a county-level administrative region unique to the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region), is located in the westernmost part of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, bordering Gansu and Mongolia.
With a total area of 114,600 square kilometers, it is the flag with the largest area and the smallest population in Inner Mongolia.
Ejina is one of the only three remaining poplar forests in the world, with the top 3 beautiful autumn colors in China selected by China National Geographic.
It is also an "extreme" place. Except for the more than 20 days when the poplar trees became extremely brilliant and enthusiastic, the remaining 340 days were inexorable desolation.
Compared with Xinjiang and Qinghai, the poplar forests in Ejina are also the most representative:
1, the tree age is long, the tree shape is beautiful;
2. Rich landscape, reflecting deserts and lakes;
3. Large area, large density, visual impact;
4. The classic scene of the movie "Hero" was filmed here.
There are 4 poplar forest scenic spots in Ejinna, the most famous of which are the following two.
02
Eight bridges, eight kinds of scenery
The poplar forest that shifted the bridge to change the scenery
Poplar Forest Desert Geopark
It is the oldest and largest poplar forest reserve in the world. The river meanders through it, and there are eight bridges. The scenic area is divided by bridges, and every time you walk through, it is a new poplar world.
Full of primitive scenery, the Erdao Bridge, with its wide waterways and golden poplars reflected in the autumn water, with yurts and rolling sand dunes as a background, is the best point for shooting reflections, sunsets and night scenes.
▲Two bridges
Sidaoqiao is the filming location of the movie "Hero", also known as the Hero Forest. The poplars here are dense and orderly, setting off endless golden waves. Put on the red clothes and stop in the forest, and a large piece will appear in an instant.
The poplar leaves of the Seven-Way Bridge were the first to turn yellow. Here are mainly small trees, although the tree shape is not diverse, but it is also more delicate, more quiet and less people.
▲Top: Four-way Bridge Down: Seven-way Bridge
Badaoqiao, also known as the Kingdom of Sand Sea, is located on the edge of the Badain Jaran Desert, where poplar forests coexist with the desert. At sunset, the desert is shrouded in a fascinating glow, and you can also photograph winding sand dunes and desert camels.
In addition to the undeveloped six bridges, the poplar forest scenery of other bridges is also different, and there will be no aesthetic fatigue after a day of playing.
▲Yadao Bridge
03
Mysterious ancient city & legend
The wildest poplar forest
The water of the weak water river washes away the scenic spots here to form the "four lakes, two islands, and six-fold forest", which perfectly integrates wild poplar, desert and sacred water. The 3 "millenniums" in the scenic spot are even more legendary.
Millennia of undead poplar forests
As a newly developed scenic spot, the poplar forest in Jinsha Bay, a weak water, does not flock to tourists and does not have too much artificial embellishment.
Under the love theme of "three thousand weak waters, only one scoop", the strangely shaped poplar forest on the island always carries tenderness, exudes romance and poetry.
Millennium Immortal Strange Grove
Legend has it that the strange forest was the soul habitat of the black general who guarded the black city. Large areas of dead poplar trees, in stark contrast to the golden poplar forest, are desolate and endless.
At sunset, the ghosts are full of shadows, backlit silhouettes, light and shadow flow, a glance at a thousand years.
Millennium Secret Blackwater City
Buried in quicksand, Blackwater City is the most complete and largest ancient city site on the ancient Silk Road.
With the poplar forest in the distance as the background, taking advantage of the long yellow sand, looking at the ruins and broken walls, in the sunset, it looks more solemn and vicissitudes.
04.
Outside the poplar forest
How else can Ejina play?
Those who come to Ejin will definitely go to Juyanhai to see a sunrise, see seagulls, reeds, and sunrise, and outline a gentle picture.
Because Ejina is adjacent to Gansu, people usually play together in the two provinces, including poplar forests, snow-capped mountains, lakes, deserts, Danxia, Gobi and many other natural scenery.
Tens of millions of years of wind and rain erosion, tens of millions of years of buckets of stars, the vast desert has swallowed countless lives, many of the past has long passed the smoke clouds.
Only poplar, year after year, releases the energy of life and amazes the world.
D0: National team member Lanzhou assembly
This day is the day when the team members of the Tiannanhaibei get together, the teammates who arrived first can rest, and the teammates are familiar with it, experience the northwest style in the nearest city, come to a bowl of authentic Lanzhou beef noodles, blow the wind by the Yellow River, and then go to the waterwheel garden to feel the water conservancy facilities of the primitive farming society, at night you can go to Zhengning Road to have a grilled skewer mash plus Yellow River beer, and the autumn colorful northwest trip began.
Tips: Before the collection will build a WeChat group, everyone can be familiar with each other, will be in advance to check in the hotel information (name, address, mode of transportation) to inform everyone, after the hotel to the front desk to report "travel e + name" can be checked in.
D1: Lanzhou - Colorful Danxia - Zhangye
The seven-colored Danxia is a jewel accidentally left by God, which is inlaid in the land of Zhangye, allowing tourists who are thinking of twilight to come to worship. Zhangye Danxia does not need to be meticulously crafted, and nature's miraculous craftsmanship has already made it magnificent and majestic.
Here belongs to the temperate continental climate, the climate is characterized by dry and little rain, so when you go, you must take precautions in advance, such as sunscreen, ultraviolet protection, veils, veils, sunglasses and so on.
D2: Zhangye - Jinta Poplar Forest - Jinta
The Danxia landform is even more wonderful in the ice ditch Danxia, you will really appreciate the magic of the forces of nature, if someone tells you that those layers are rock accumulations, ravines and treacherous peaks are formed by the wind blowing and the erosion of flowing water.
Immersed in this majestic beauty, a morning has passed, have a meal at noon, take a short break, drive to the Jinta Poplar Forest in the afternoon, there is a lake in the forest, the reflected poplar figure may be the best place for you to photograph it, arrive in Jinta County before dark.
D3: Golden Pagoda - Old Man Lake Poplar Forest - Ejin Na Banner
The rising sun evokes our mad ambitions for the Great Northwest. The golden poplars and babbling rivers, the beautiful strange forests and vicissitudes of the black city, the graceful reeds and the magnificent red willow forest, let the imagination will make you excited to sleepless, excited to meet the "golden feast" - marching to Ejina, about 30 kilometers away from Jiuquan, we will arrive at today's focus is also the first stop, the Golden Pagoda Poplar Forest, there are deserts, poplars, and lakes, all kinds of reflections will be presented in front of us without reservation.
D4: A day trip to the poplar forest in Ejina
If the Quinta Poplar Forest is just an appetizer, today's trip is a feast. Ejina poplar forest is known as "born without dying for a thousand years, dying without falling a thousand years, immortal for a thousand years, three thousand years of poplar, one hundred million years of history", today there will be a whole day to hang out here, whether it is to feel the tenacity or softness of poplar, or just walk around here, quietly for a day, is very good.
Some people say that the poplar forest in autumn "misses it and has to wait for a year", the vigorous growth of the four seasons, only for the bloom of this month, this time wonderful, spent all the strength, just to show the most beautiful self, what reason do we have not to appreciate and love this ancient species? ErdaoQiao is a great place to enjoy the sunset over the poplar forest, stopping by the camel herd and watching the sun fall into the horizon little by little, as if you have also integrated into the land.
D5: Ejin - JuyanHai Sunrise - Ceke Port - Black City Strange Forest
In the early morning, we will go to the largest inland lake in the northwest region , Juyan Sea to shoot the sunrise, in the warm yellow morning light, the boundless reeds and mangroves, forming a natural landscape with a high degree of harmony between man and nature, which is very moving. The Ceke port, which is 20 kilometers away from Juyanhai, is the border between China and Outer Mongolia, so how can you not punch in the country when you come here.
Ceke Port, which is also the border line between China and Mongolia, is the only international passage opened to the outside world by the Alxa League, is a land port shared by the five provinces and regions of Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia and Qingdao, and is also the third largest port in Inner Mongolia. There are dairy products from Mongolia, dried fruits, beer is really beautiful, you can bring a little when the time comes. In the afternoon, we arrived at the strange forest of the black city, and in the strange forest was a batch of dead but not decaying poplar trees, we could see the teeth and claws everywhere under the sunset, and after the sunset shooting, we went to Ejin Naqi to stay.
Next, we come to the weak water Jinsha Bay, known as the "Six Lakes, Two Islands and Seven Heavy Forests", which is said to be a rare landscape in the world that combines desert, poplar and water.
Take advantage of the sunset, come to the strange forest, look at the truly "immortal poplar after a thousand years", you will really feel the tenacity of this life, different forms, or standing, waving, creeping, in the sunset reflection of a cold mystery.
D6: Ejina - Alxa
After seeing the poplar forest, crossing the Gobi Desert, watching the natural landscape outside the car window change from the forest to the Gobi, and then into the desert, after a while it will come to Tengger, where you will truly feel the style of the exotic people, and come to Alxa Heroes will witness the world's largest off-road event.
After drinking the horse wine and accepting the Hada offered by the Mongolian compatriots, he and his teammates gathered for a meal, and in the evening, under the soft waves of Swan Lake, cloaked in the moonlight, listened to their stories, sang, danced, and enjoyed the happy moments.
D7: Alxa - Yinchuan
Time flies so fast that it's the last day of the trip, and we're still in the desert in the morning. You can let go of your mood at will, and the desert will be a good listener. We have prepared buggy desert surfing, love excitement and challenge you must not miss, the car follows the ups and downs of the dunes and bumps, the excitement of the heart has already flown over the desert, bumps and shakes, this will be the most memorable mid-autumn trip.
Vehicles: Toyota Prado, Business Mercedes or C-Type motorhome, Tengger Desert Surf Buggy.
Accommodation: 5 nights in the hotel room + 1 night in the yurt + 1 night in the desert camping = full of experience, including the collection and end of the day's stay. (Note: Due to the shortage of rooms during the National Day peak season, the whole stay is booked and paid in advance, if you do not stay due to personal problems, no refund will be given)
Tickets: Colorful Danxia Ticket + Jingjiao, Jinta Poplar Forest Ticket + Jingjiao, Ejina Poplar Forest Ticket + Jingjiao, Black City (Strange Forest) Ticket + Jingjiao, Weak Water Jinshawan Ticket + Jingjiao, Juyanhai Ticket + Jingjiao. (If the individual has preferential documents, such as teacher's card, student card, military officer card, etc., show it in advance when purchasing tickets, accept preferential policies according to the regulations of the attraction, and refund the difference on the spot).
Dining: Complimentary bonfire dinner at Swan Lake in the Tengger Desert.
Team Leader: Professional team leader leads the whole process, and the team leader has been trained in first aid by the Red Cross.
Drugs: medicine box, first aid kit, etc. (the leader's medical kit contains the type of drugs: Yunnan Baiyao spray, wind oil essence, thermometer, Bandage, gauze block, alcohol, cotton swab, medical tape) Special drugs Please bring your own in advance.
Special Reminder:
Eleventh is the Golden Week of Tourism, and the number of tourists from all over the world will reach its climax. Hotel accommodation is very tight, we have to book in advance, please interested in participating friends as soon as possible to register and confirm, full of closure.
Poplar Status:
A bridge: The closest to the town of Dalai Hubu, Huyang has been urbanized.
Erdao Bridge: On the east bank of the Heihe River in Ejin Naqi, there is water here. The poplars along the shore reflect golden reflections, and the blue sky reflects above the river. "Hero" movie shooting location sightseeing shooting, watching the magnificent scenery of "sunset sprinkling afterglow, poplar dyeing golden autumn".
Sandaoqiao: Poplar is not abundant.
Four bridges: the poplar forest is dense and orderly, and there are many themes. The golden poplar forest of the old tree nest of Sidaoqiao, where mongolian herders live in the forest, there are white sheep and golden poplar, presenting a comfortable scene of herdsman life.
Wudao Bridge: Huge poplars everywhere, growing on saline, desert. It is completely natural growth forest, and the traffic is not convenient.
Liudao Bridge: There are vast expanses of endless poplar leaves, occasionally you can see the mighty Mongols riding tall camels through them, and occasionally the smoke and dust raised by the sheep as they pass by jump in the light and shadow.
Seven Bridges: Poplar is tall and unique in shape, with different postures, and the poplars in the depths are getting taller and taller, and the area is also open, and the ground here has more dead branches and withered poplar poles.
Badaoqiao: This is a rich landscape of the Badain Jaran Desert and the Poplar Forest, where the perfect combination of desert, poplar, camel caravan and sunset sunrise is a photographer's paradise.
Travel Equipment:
Documents required: ID card (student ID, military officer's card, disability certificate and other preferential documents), bank card (preferably ABC) part of the cash.
Outdoors: 24" or less suitcase, backpack (unlimited size), small backpack or fanny pack for valuables, umbrella, water bottle.
Clothes and shoes: The temperature difference between the morning and evening of Ejin Naqi is large, especially when the sunrise is strong in the morning. The average temperature is about 3 degrees in the morning and 15-20 degrees during the day. To bring a storm jacket or cotton coat, it is best to wear a storm jacket pants. Shoes are best worn hiking boots or touring shoes, convenient slippers, change of underwear, socks, etc.
All kinds of equipment: mobile phone (power bank), camera (charger, spare battery), flashlight.
Sun protection items: sunglasses, hats, gloves, sunscreen, lip balm and other protective items.
Protective drugs: cold medicines, gastrointestinal medicines, Band-Aids, wind oil essence (special reminder: the north is dry, it is necessary to remove fire and throat drugs).
Food: dry food, chocolate, biscuits, mineral water, etc
Registration Notice:
■ Event time ■
The annual Poplar Festival is held around September 25th to October 20th, and it is also the most beautiful season in Ejin. So every year in this period of Ejin, there are many tourists in Ejin who can only camp in the stadium because they have no place to stay. Therefore, if you are interested in going, please register early, the number of places is limited, and the registration is full!
■ Registration Requirements ■
Participants in all kinds of activities of the club are 16-60 years old, have full capacity for civil conduct, can be responsible for themselves, and have no diseases that are not suitable for outdoor activities (such as: heart disease, hypertension, asthma, infectious diseases, etc.). Minors must be led by a guardian who meets the first two conditions to participate in the activity, and the guardian is responsible for them.
■ Safety first ■
During the trip, the team members are invited to carry out activities strictly according to the arrangements of the tour leader, personal adventure or heroism is strictly prohibited, and if there is any irresistible (such as natural disaster) or endangering the safety of the team's life and property during the trip, the club has the right to change or cancel the content of the activity.
■ Environmental protection first ■
The travel e-family advocates the concept of environmental protection first, and the team members carry garbage bags with them to properly dispose of their travel garbage.
■ Respect for customs ■
Respect for the customs and customs of the destination to minimize the impact on the local area.
■ Itinerary changes ■
Travel plans may be adjusted due to event weather, number of participants, physical condition, unforeseen and other factors, please respect the club's arrangements. If the team members do not obey the team leader's arrangement and cause accidents to other team members and themselves, we will not assume any responsibility.
■ travel medicine ■
We will prepare the most commonly used medicines in the itinerary, please be sure to pay attention to your constitution and allergy history when asking for medicines. We are only responsible for the provision of medicines and have no diagnostic obligations.
(Some of the pictures in the article are authorized by Tu worm network)
Travel e-family, documentary travel with temperature
Hope to meet you unexpectedly on the road