Meet the Great Northwest again, it’s still beautiful
What kind of impulse~
Made me want to go to the Northwest for the fourth time?
Maybe everyone has a place called feelings in their hearts, and they will never forget a place or a person.
Regarding the Great Northwest, there is an indescribable feeling for it, perhaps because of its roughness and depth, or its warmth and tenderness. I have been to many places and seen many landscapes, but there always seems to be a mysterious force in the Northwest that attracts me.
The Northwest with thousands of styles always makes me willing to spend more time to see it, no matter how many times, it will make me feel that its charm will not fade.
This is my fourth trip to the Northwest. Although it is not the beginning, it will not be the end either. In August and October of 2020, I took the trip once each. In August, I took the regular Qingan-Gansu loop route. In October, I took the Qing-Gan route plus the Populus euphratica forest in Ejina Banner. Therefore, this trip to the Northwest will include two trips. Organize your travels together!
From Qinghai to Gansu, and then to Alxa League, the sea of flowers, grasslands, snow-capped mountains, lakes, deserts, Gobi, Yadan landforms, Danxia colorful hills, herds of cattle, sheep and horses and other natural landscapes along the way will make you deeply I fell in love with the magical vast land of the Northwest.
Let me tell you about some moments recorded in these two trips to the Northwest, about our memories along the way, from surprises to excitement, I hope you like it, and I hope you like the colorful Northwest.
schedule
The Great Northwest refers to Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai, Xinjiang, and parts of Inner Mongolia. The Qingan-Gansu Ring Road we often take is the Qinghai-Gansu Province Ring Road without heavy roads. The itinerary ranges from 6/7/8 days. Xining is generally the beginning and end of the loop tour. Starting from Xining, going to Qinghai Lake, then to Dachaidan, the edge of Qaidam, entering Dunhuang, taking the Hexi Corridor to Zhangye, and then returning to Xining, it is a complete no-go The loop of the Huihui Road covers the essence of Qinghai and Gansu. It is a large collection of the natural scenery of the Northwest and the cultural history of the Silk Road. It is also one of the most popular Northwest routes.
Let’s sort out our two itineraries and give you a reference~
Itinerary of Qinggan Line in August:
D1 Xining—Qinghai Lake—Chaka (living in Chaka)
D2 Chaka - Chaka Salt Lake - Crossing Dachaidan Basin - Emerald Lake - Dachaidan (living in Dachaidan)
D3 Dachaidan—Dongtai Jinel Lake—Shuishang Yadan—Dachaidan (living in Dachaidan)
D4 Dachaidan—Yadan Devil City (passing by but not entering)—Yangguan Scenic Area—Oil Town—Dunhuang (live in Dunhuang)
D5 Dunhuang - Mogao Grottoes - Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring - Shazhou Night Market (Live in Dunhuang)
D6 Ejina Banner—Zhangye Colorful Danxia—Zhangye (Live in Zhangye)
D7 Zhangye—Qilian Zhuoer Mountain (live in Qilian County)
D8 Qilian - Qilian Prairie - Xining (End of trip)
————————————————————————
October Qinggan Line + Ejina Banner Itinerary (Take the reverse line)
D1 Xining - Qilian Prairie - Zhangye Colorful Danxia (Live in Zhangye)
D2 Zhangye—Jiuquan Jinta Populus euphratica Forest (living in Jinta)
D3 Golden Pagoda—Heicheng Ruoshui Populus euphratica Forest—Ejina Banner (Live in Ejina Banner)
D4 Juyanhai Sunrise - Populus euphratica Forest in Ejina Banner - Return to the Golden Pagoda (living in the Golden Pagoda)
D5 Golden Pagoda—Guazhou (Son of the Earth + Unbounded)—Dunhuang (Live in Dunhuang)
D6 Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes - Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring - Shazhou Night Market (Live in Dunhuang)
D7 Dunhuang - Yangguan - Dachaidan Emerald Lake (living in Dachaidan)
D8 Dachaidan - Dongtai Jinel Lake - return to Dachaidan (live in Dachaidan)
D9 Dachaidan - Chaka Salt Lake (live in Chaka Town)
D10 Chaka—Qinghai Lake—Xining (End of trip)
I didn't go to the Mogao Grottoes and Shazhou Night Market these two times, so I won't share it in this travel note.
The above itinerary is just a reference. On the road, the itinerary will be adjusted according to the weather and road conditions at that time. Everything should be safe and happy.
Transportation
Most people who travel to the Northwest choose to drive by themselves or charter a car/carpool. Here I will share with you the advantages and disadvantages of each travel method. You can weigh it yourself and choose the best travel method.
1) Self-driving
Relatively speaking, it is the most free way. You can stop and go as you go, and you can also experience the fun of self-driving. However, due to unfamiliarity with the road conditions, there will be certain safety risks. Long-distance driving will be tiring, and it will be more difficult to visit scenic spots. It is recommended to prepare a strategy before traveling.
2) Carpooling
If you travel alone, you can choose to carpool, 4-6 people share a car, with a professional driver leading the team, sharing the cost together, it is also very free, and you can also meet new friends. But there may be conflicts on the way due to different personalities and thoughts, and you need to make psychological adjustments yourself.
3) chartered car
For family outings or with a few friends, you can choose to charter a car, or you can customize the itinerary to have more fun. It’s not a big problem for several people to charter a car, and the cost is shared, but the cost for one or two people is relatively high (of course, it’s no problem if you have financial conditions)
Personally, I prefer carpooling, because I travel a lot alone. Although I am a travel blogger, sometimes I am too lazy to make a guide. If I carpool, a professional driver will help with the itinerary and accommodation along the way, so I don’t have to worry about it myself.
Every time I travel by carpool, I meet friends from different places, and many of them become good friends who talk about everything. This is the happiest thing for me.
These two trips also chose the carpooling method, and also chose our reliable old driver Ma Boss, so you can worry-free and have fun along the way!
Preparation
【Clothes】
Spring and summer: Spring and summer clothes, thin coats, bottoming clothes, hats, socks, shoes that are as comfortable as possible, sandals and slippers (you can also wear them when you go to the desert)
Autumn and winter: mainly autumn and winter clothes, and bring warm clothes such as down jackets/jackets.
For girls, you can bring more clothes with brighter colors, such as red, blue, and white, which look great when taking pictures.
【Daily Items】
Skin care: No matter what season, the ultraviolet rays in the Northwest are particularly strong, so you must wear sunglasses and sun protection equipment, including sun protection clothing, high-power sunscreen, lip balm, body lotion, and the weather is dry, so you need to wear a moisturizing mask to moisturize your hands Moisturizing skin care products such as creams. (Remember to bring the cosmetics needed by the girls too)
Toiletries: toothpaste, toothbrush, makeup remover, facial cleanser, towel, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, paper towel, etc.
Thermos cup: You spend a lot of time on the road, take it with you, drink plenty of water to replenish moisture when the weather is dry.
【Certificate】
ID card (required)
Student ID or other ID (some places have discounts on tickets)
Cash (some cash is reserved, basically you can pay by mobile phone, keep it in case you need it)
【drug】
Fenbid, cold medicine, gastrointestinal medicine, motion sickness medicine, Band-Aid and other commonly used medicines are all you need in case you are unprepared on the road.
【Shooting equipment】
Camera: Sony mirrorless camera a6400, the original camera is equipped with a lens of 16-50 plus a telephoto lens of 55-210. The main reason is that the mirrorless camera is light and easy to carry. vistas and such.
Drone: DJI MAVIC AIR2. It is recommended to bring a drone along this route. Many scenic spots are amazing from the perspective of aerial photography, such as Emerald Lake, Water Yadan, and Populus euphratica Forest. These aerial photography are very good.
In addition: remember to bring chargers, mobile power supplies, and spare batteries for cameras.
Great Northwest Cuisine
In the Northwest area, pasta, beef, and lamb are the main dishes. Local hot pot, large plate chicken, hand-caught lamb, grilled lamb chops, and lamb skewers are all recommended. Lamb has no smell and tastes delicious. I also think the yogurt in Xining is delicious, and the sour taste is particularly good.
When you arrive in Zhangye, you must try the special gourmet beef rice here. It is actually not rice as we understand it, but cut into noodles the size of rice grains. After cooking, add the prepared ingredients and add a few slices Beef, the taste is particularly good, must eat every time I go.
The vast Northwest has a variety of delicacies and snacks, which can basically satisfy our tastes. But sometimes it takes a long time on the road and you may not find a suitable restaurant. You can prepare some snacks in the car.
Wherever you go, you will have beautiful memories!
Blue Qinghai Lake with water temperature that changes with the seasons
Chaka Salt Lake with the endless sky
Dachaidan Emerald Lake with thousands of greens
Dongtai Jinel Lake, known as "Qinghai Maldives"
The desolate and mysterious oil town of Aksai
Rough and gentle Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring
The Populus euphratica forest in Heicheng Ruoshui is the most beautiful in autumn
I have seen the Populus euphratica forest in Ejina Banner in full bloom, and also seen its withering
Zhangye Colorful Danxia Like a Colorful World
Drow Mountain, known as "Oriental Little Switzerland"
Qinghai Lake, that touch of Qinghai blue
The first time I went to Qinghai Lake was because I had been longing for it all the time, and I always felt that I must go to the place I longed for once. After going once, the next come back is basically because there are in each trip, but at different times, with different friends, the state of mind at that time, and the scenery you see are different, even if you meet See you again, still like it.
Qinghai Lake is the largest inland lake in China and the largest saltwater lake in China. In Tibetan, Qinghai Lake means "blue sea". The lake is vast and blue, like the sea. Qinghai Lake is located on a plateau, showing different beauty throughout the year, and the water temperature of the lake also changes with the seasons.
Because it is located on a plateau, the average daily temperature of Qinghai Lake in July and August is only about 15 degrees, which is very comfortable. At the same time, it is also the most beautiful time for Qinghai Lake. Beside the endless lake, there is an endless sea of flowers, colorful and countless. Dotted with exhausted cattle and sheep, it is like a magnificent painting of alpine grasslands.
Qinghai Lake, which I met at the end of August, is still blue with water and sky. The cool breeze brushed across the lake and brushed across the cheeks. Standing by the vast blue and calm lake, at that moment, my restless heart also calmed down.
Qinghai Lake at the end of October has entered the cold winter season, but you can still see the rapeseed flowers by the lake are still in bloom. I don’t know how long they can last in this cold season.
At this time, there are few tourists in Qinghai Lake and it is quiet. Walking through the sea of flowers to the lake, looking around, the lake under the blue sky looks clearer and bluer. At that moment, I was moved by such Qinghai blue.
Standing by the blue lake, watching the breeze blowing across the lake surface like fish scales, watching the lake water rippling to the edge of the lake and retreating, watching the lovely seagulls soaring in the air and playing on the lake... this is Everything has added a bit of vitality to Qinghai Lake.
On the Qinghai Lake Road, the most encountered are those yaks that flick their tails slowly, sheep grazing leisurely, and those herdsmen with happy smiles. These pictures are really healing. No matter how many times you meet, you will still be moved by every frame of scenery in front of you, and still full of curiosity and love.
【tips】
1) Qinghai Lake is open all day. If you choose to enter from Erlangjian Scenic Area, you need to collect tickets, which are different in off-season and peak season.
2) As before, we wanted to avoid the crowds of tourist groups. We didn’t go into the Erlangjian Scenic Area. We found a lakeside with few people and beautiful scenery along the path nearby. They are all the scenery of Qinghai Lake. Just have fun .
3) There is a charge for taking photos with the yaks by the lake, so please understand clearly before taking pictures.
Chaka Salt Lake is the mirror of the sky in my eyes
When I had never been to Chaka Salt Lake before, I heard many people say, "Chaka Salt Lake is not worth going, and you may not be able to see the mirror of the sky when there are too many people..." and other voices, but since I went After returning from Chaka a few times, I want to say: "Believe in the scenery you see, whether it is good or bad, it is your own experience."
so...
Don't hear about this world, go experience it!
Chaka Salt Lake is one of the "Four Scenic Spots in Qinghai". It is known as the "Mirror of the Sky in China" and was also rated as one of the "55 places you must visit in your lifetime" by the National Tourism Geographic Magazine. Located in Chaka Town, Wulan County, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, it is one of the four major salt lakes in the Qaidam Basin, and it is also a place that many people yearn for.
In fact, coming to Chaka Salt Lake is very affected by the weather. As long as the weather is clear and there is no wind on the lake, you can always see the reflection of the snow-capped mountains in the distance through the lake. The endless sky meets the vast salt lake on the horizon. Being in it is like being in a world The huge mirror world, at that moment, the Chaka Salt Lake you see is the most beautiful mirror of the sky in your eyes.
In Chaka Salt Lake, you can walk into the salt lake from the entrance of the scenic spot, or you can take a small sightseeing train to enter. But if you have watched "Spirited Away" and want to experience the train speeding on the water, you must experience the little train in Chaka Salt Lake. The colorful trains run in the Chaka Salt Lake, as if riding a train bound for a fairy tale world, romantic and cozy!
If you want to take a photo without the background of others, you only need to go deep into the salt lake, and you can take a picture of no one. It is also an interesting thing to walk barefoot to the center of the salt lake and experience the feeling of stepping on the salt.
Standing in the lake, the bright salt in front of you forms an endless white world. This is the world of salt, and even the air smells of salt. Walking here, you can feel the purity of a paradise, as if you are in a fairy tale world, the beauty is a bit unreal.
Chaka Salt Lake at the end of October is more low-key and quiet. Although the temperature is very low, the lake is relatively shallow at this time, and it is easier to form a huge mirror.
In the Chaka Salt Lake, I always feel that the sky is very low, and the big clouds are within reach. For a moment, I can’t tell which is the sky, which is the lake, and which is the phantom in the water.. ....
The endless water surface and a long track lead to the other end of the fairy tale... The scene that I thought could only be found in fairy tales, was accidentally realized in Chaka Salt Lake.
Chaka Salt Lake in the evening is the brightest moment of the day, and it has changed into another posture. Under the afterglow of the setting sun, all kinds of styles of the Salt Lake are painted between the sky and the earth. I fell in love with Chaka Salt Lake at this moment. sunset glow.
Watching the sun disappear into the horizon little by little, the salt lake in front of you and the rolling hills in the distance constitute a quiet picture.
【tips】
1) When going to Chaka Salt Lake, you must check the weather. As long as the weather is clear and there is no wind on the lake, you can take pictures like a mirror of the sky; if it is cloudy, Chaka Salt Lake may disappoint you.
2) The ticket is 60 yuan, and the one-way ride on the small train is 50 yuan per person. You can choose to walk or take the small train to enter.
3) Walking barefoot on the lake will hurt the soles of your feet. You can wear shoe covers. If you don’t like it, you can take it off when taking pictures. (You can buy the shoe cover or bring your own)
4) Be sure to do a good job of sun protection, the ultraviolet rays are particularly strong.
5) The best shooting location for Chaka is in the depths of the salt lake. You can walk through the crowd and walk to the center of the lake to get the effect of no one.
6) Outfits of Chaka Salt Lake: Red is undoubtedly the most photographed here, and it is also the same red when you look at it. Aside from a series of reds, white, blue, yellow and other bright colors can be photographed here A set of super-beautiful photos, and you can match different styles of clothing according to the scene and style you want to get the effect you want.
Emerald Lake, the Palette Overturned by God
Who accidentally broke the precious gems and scattered them all over the land?
When you see the Emerald Lake, you will be amazed by the various greens in front of you~
I watched the movie "Send You A Little Red Flower" recently, and I have to say it was so good, I was really moved! When watching the movie, I immediately recognized the fairy lake that Wei Yihang went to, which was the emerald lake we went to.
No matter how difficult life is, there will always be such a pure place where people can be healed and empowered! So if you have the opportunity to go out and see more, you will find that the world is beautiful.
Dachaidan Emerald Lake is located ten kilometers northwest of Dachaidan Township on the edge of the Qaidam Basin in the northwest of Qinghai Province. Emerald Lake is actually the mining area of the Salt Lake Mining Team of the former Dachaidan Chemical Plant. After years of mining, it contains potassium, magnesium, lithium and other metal minerals combined with halides. Under the refraction of sunlight, the salt bed presents alternating colors of light green, emerald green or dark blue. The salt ponds of different sizes, shapes, and depths are like pieces of crystal clear emeralds, so they are called Emerald Lakes.
The water of Emerald Lake will change into different colors according to the weather. I have seen it in sunny days, cloudy days and snowy days, but the most amazing thing must be the sunny days. The lakes are like Scattered everywhere like mirrors, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds, goose yellow, emerald green, lake blue...all kinds of pure colors unfold in front of your eyes, and in the distance is the snow-capped peak of Qaidam, just like a dream like a fairyland It is a phantom, and only when you are in it can you experience the shock.
This is what we took when we came to Emerald Lake in August. It was cloudy and windy at the time, and the colors of all the lakes did not look so amazing, but we have already come. I feel that I have not taken some photos for myself. I always feel that I have not I have been here before, so I have these seemingly unstunning photos that I like.
There is no crowded flow of people in Emerald Lake. Here, you only need to walk a little further inside, find a lake at random, stop at any time, and you can take photos you want, which are very artistic.
【tips】
1) Emerald Lake is currently free of charge, but the scenic spot is already under development. With the improvement of infrastructure, there may be a charge later.
2) There is currently no public transportation to Emerald Lake, you can choose to drive or charter a car. On the way to Emerald Lake, there is a section of washboard and gravel road that is difficult to walk, so pay attention to safety.
3) There are many lakes in the Emerald Lake. You don’t need to be crowded with people. You can take pictures at any angle you like.
4) It is recommended to bring a drone, and you can see various colors from the aerial photography angle, which is more spectacular.
5) The water in the salt lake is very corrosive, and the salt ground is very rough. It is recommended not to go barefoot. Some salt ground near the water is relatively soft. Be careful not to sink into it when walking, and be careful of safety.
6) At present, the scenic spot is immature and there are no trash cans, so remember not to litter and take your own trash away.
7) Dressing for Emerald Lake: mainly bright-colored clothes and skirts, red and yellow will be very popular, and white and blue will go well with the scene. (The green skirt I wore in August, it was too cold in October, I didn’t have the courage to wear a thin skirt)
Jinel Lake in Dongtai, a touch of blue in the Gobi Desert
I believe that in the past 2020, everyone was swiped by "Qinghai Maldives", that is Dongtai Jinel Lake, which is popular all over the Internet.
Dongtai Jinel Lake, which has become popular, is called "Qinghai Maldives" because of the high-concentration salt crystallization to form a "white beach" and various elements in the water to make it appear various blue. I think many people, like me, will because of Yearning for a photo.
Dongtai Jinel Lake is near National Highway 315, located in Golmud City, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. It is another beautiful scenery on the Gobi in the Qaidam Basin. There is no hustle and bustle here, and it looks more low-key and quiet. Due to the high copper content in Dongtai Jinel Lake, the lake water will show different colors, such as mint green, Tiffany blue... It is very dreamy. It is rare to see this beautiful lake in the barren Gobi.
The first time I went to Jinel Lake in Dongtai, it was also cloudy and windy. The scenery I saw was different from what I expected. I didn't see the Tiffany blue I expected. I was a little disappointed at the time. However, many scenic spots in the Northwest want to take good-looking photos. It is related to the weather. You must be mentally prepared that you will not be able to take good photos or that they are very different from your expectations, so as not to affect the mood of the journey.
Although I didn't see Tiffany blue, I saw a touch of fresh mint green on the Gobi. The faint mint green also cured the little disappointment at that moment.
Compared with when I went in August, there were obviously no people in October, but the lake water was obviously less than when I came in August. Also, the temperature in October is really low, it’s really cold, you can tell from the clothes I’m wearing, it’s so cold that I don’t even want to take pictures at that moment.
Although it was cold, I saw the blue color I expected. The endless lake is like a quiet picture under the blue sky. Gradient, blue lake water, white salt flats... If you see such a picture, I believe you will also be overwhelmed by the beauty.
When you stand in front of the clear blue lake, the quiet lake makes everything quiet, time seems to stop flowing, those irritating work pressures are also left behind, and there is a kind of peace of mind returning to nature.
【tips】
1) Located in the west of Qinghai, navigate to "Dongtai Jinel Lake".
2) It is recommended to choose to drive by yourself or charter a car. There is a parking lot and a parking fee is required.
3) The lake is very large, and tourists are generally near the entrance. You can go a little deeper to avoid the crowd. It is recommended to bring a drone, and the aerial photography will produce more pictures.
Yardang on the water, a unique natural landscape
Speaking of Yadan landforms, it is not uncommon in Qinghai, but Yadan on the water is really the only place here.
Water Yadan, also known as Wusu Teyadan Geological Park, is a spectacle formed over millions of years, where you can see half desert and half oasis. It is said that there was no water in the water Yadan. Many years ago, when the mountain torrent broke out, the Nalingelehe River in the Kunlun Mountains was diverted and submerged this area to form the water Yadan.
Water Yardang is not far from Dongtai Jinel Lake, so you can go there together. The weather was bad when we went that day. It was cloudy and very windy and super cold. I slipped inside for a while. I felt that I didn’t see many highlights, and I didn’t take aerial photos or take amazing photos. I will have more in the future. Opportunity to go again.
Yardang landform is a typical wind erosion landform. Yardang means "a small hill with steep walls" in Uighur. form a concave shape. If the rock stratum on the upper part of the hill is relatively loose, it will easily collapse under the action of gravity to form a steep wall, forming the Yardang landform.
The entire Yadan on the water is like an alien planet, with sand dunes of various shapes scattered throughout the lake, which is very spectacular. But it may not look very spectacular under Yadan, but if you stand on the peak of Yadan, look at the sky and the lake, and look at the Yadan groups of different sizes, you will feel so small, and the big Nature is so amazing.
The current Water Yadan Scenic Area provides RV accommodation for tourists. If you want to watch the starry sky, you can choose to stay in a RV camp for one night. During the peak season, you must book in advance. If you are more cost-effective, return to Dachaidan Town like us, and the drive will take about 3 hours.
The Shuishang Yadan Scenic Area is still quite big. This time there is no fun Shuishang Yadan, and there are not many to share with you, so let’s make up for the regrettable Shuishang Yadan next time~
Yangguan, an ancient city buried in quicksand
When it comes to Yangguan, I think everyone is familiar with it.
"Advise you to drink more wine, and go west to Yangguan without any old friends." Wang Wei's masterpiece through the ages makes people think of Yangguan involuntarily. If you like history and love history, then you must visit it when you arrive in Dunhuang. Walking in it seems to have traveled back to the millennium.
Yangguan, located 70 kilometers southwest of Dunhuang City, got its name because it is south of Yumen Pass. As the gateway to the Western Regions, Yangguan is also an important pass on the southern route of the Silk Road. It is a strategic location that ancient military strategists must contend for.
In the past, Yangguan City, as a gateway, once passed through merchants, soldiers, etc. This place is not only a place name, but also has too much history. Due to the long history, there are few remains of Guancheng beacon towers, and the one that is relatively complete is the beacon tower on the top of the pier hill on the north side of Antique Beach. There is a long pavilion with a stele corridor beside the beacon, and a stele of "Yangguan Former Site" in the south of the pavilion. There is a green forest on the antique beach, and all you can see is yellow sand and red soil.
In Yangguan, I also saw some props, scattered in the vast desert, and the sound of the desert wind whizzed around. At this moment, the past is more than a thousand years old. Too many farewells happen here, too many stories are staged here...
Today's Yangguan is no longer the desolate place where "Going out of Yangguan from the west without an old friend" in Wang Wei's writings, it has become a famous Silk Road pass in Dunhuang and a cultural heritage of mankind.
"But where there is farmland, there are always grapes." Now the location of Yangguan has become a good place with green flowers and red grapes. Every harvest season, the Yangguan Ancient Road is full of fruits, all of which are fresh and attractive grapes. When you come to Yangguan at this time, you can also experience the fun of picking grapes by yourself.
【tips】
1) Yangguan is located at the Yangguan ruins on the west side of Nanhu Township, Dunhuang, Jiuquan City, Gansu Province
2) Tickets are 60 yuan per person (including battery cars), and free explanation services are provided inside.
3) After entering the scenic area, there are two museums, you can go and see, mainly displaying some cultural relics such as weapons unearthed in the area.
4) Do a good job of sun protection, especially at the Yangguan ruins, where there is almost no sunshade.
Oil town, desolate and mysterious
What secret is hidden in the oil town that disappeared overnight?
I've been here many times, but I still haven't found it~
Less than two hours' drive from Dunhuang, there is an abandoned city that has been prosperous for a while, gradually declined, and finally turned into a ghost town. This is the Axai Oil Town.
There are many legends about the oil town. Some people say that the oil town disappeared overnight because of some mysterious incident. Some people say that the entire city was relocated because of over-exploitation of resources... Various The sound made the oil town more suspicious, but this mysterious color endowed the oil town with a different charm.
The once-forgotten oil town, because of the movie "The Nine-story Demon Tower", has become a must-see tourist attraction when traveling on the Northwest Loop. If you like retro and nostalgic style, this is a good place to check in.
Walking on the streets of the town, it was desolate, and the images from the movie once again came to my mind. Here you can see all kinds of ruined buildings, such as kindergartens, schools, clubs, factories, county governments, etc., all implying the bustling and bustling past. The dilapidated buildings and the sand and dust raised by the wind can not help but think of those confusing and mysterious event.
Although this abandoned oil town is devastated, the mottled walls, dilapidated factory areas, rusty stations... can all be used as a good place to take pictures. Here, it is recommended to match some sports style, outdoor adventure style, punk style...it will match the scene better, and it can also take some cool photos.
【tips】
1) Petroleum Town is located at the intersection of National Highway 215 and County Highway 281 in Aksai Autonomous County, Jiuquan City, Gansu Province.
2) Tickets are 30 yuan/person, and battery cars are 10 yuan/person (about 1 km from the location where you bought the ticket to the oil town, you can walk up)
3) Camera position: several jeeps at the entrance, bus stops on the side of the road, street signs, beasts on the roof, kindergartens, a large area of ruins... and many other scenes can take good-looking photos.
Dunhuang Mingsha Mountain, rough and gentle
"you are the wind I am the sand,
Lingering around the sky"
…
Every time I come to Mingsha Mountain, I can’t help hearing this familiar song~
Compared with the bustling scenic spots, I prefer the free walking desert. Looking at the endless sand dunes, you can appreciate the desolation, vastness and infinity in the poem "the desert is solitary, the long river falls into the sun".
Mingsha Mountain is located at the northern foot of Mingsha Mountain, five kilometers south of Dunhuang City. It is a national key scenic spot. The entire mountain is made of fine rice-grained sand and is composed of five colors: red, yellow, green, black and white. When the wind blows, the sand mountain will make a huge sound, and when the wind blows, it will sound like an orchestral silk music, so it is named Mingsha Mountain. If a person slides down the mountain, the sand under his feet will make a sound, and the footprints of climbing the sand mountain will disappear the next day. This is the magic of Mingsha Mountain.
Crescent Moon Spring is surrounded by Mingsha Mountain, which is named after its shape resembling a crescent moon. Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring are like a pair of twin sisters in the desert, clinging to each other. Crescent Moon Spring is known as one of the "Eight Views of Dunhuang" and "The First Spring in the Desert". Therefore, when you come to Mingsha Mountain, you must come to Crescent Moon Spring.
If you want to see the whole picture of Crescent Lake, you have to climb to the top of the sand, but don’t think about the seemingly short distance. It’s easy to climb to the top of the sand, but you will find it’s not easy at all when you climb down. Short of breath hahaha. However, the scenic spot will also be very thoughtful in this regard, designing a mountain climbing plank road, with it, climbing the mountain becomes much easier.
Standing on the top of the sand, overlooking the Crescent Moon Spring, the Wangqing Spring is like a young girl, nestling gently in the arms of Mingsha Mountain. As the sun slowly set, the lights of Crescent Moon Spring gradually lit up, and the curved crescent moon looked even more dazzling under the afterglow of the setting sun and the reflection of the lights.
Sitting quietly on the soft sand, watching the lights in the distance light up little by little, looking at the star lights in front of me, mixed with orange and yellow warm lights, shimmering every minute and every second. I really like every bright and gorgeous place, sometimes I really think it is amazing, we may because of a place, a city of lights, that momentary memory about it will become profound in the trivial memory.
When you come to Mingsha Mountain, don’t miss the reeds by the Crescent Spring. The blue sky, the yellow sand hills as the background, I like every shot. When the breeze blows, the reeds dance along with the trend, and the reeds in the afterglow of the sun are particularly charming.
The last few times I came to the desert, I used red as the main outfit. I thought the desert red looked good on the camera, but I didn’t expect that this time I changed into a black irregular dress and matched it with Martin boots. I actually shot another style that I particularly like. And the color of black and sand is also very good, so it looks good when you take any photo.
【tips】
1) Tickets: 110 yuan/person, 100 yuan/person for camel riding, 10 yuan/person for sightseeing car. (There are also other experience items such as desert motorcycles, paragliding, etc., which we have not experienced)
2) After entering the ticket, go straight to the right and ride a camel. If you don’t ride a camel, go straight for about 10 minutes to reach the foot of Mingsha Mountain (you can also choose to take a sightseeing bus). You can go to the top of the sand from the trail. Best location for sunset. )
3) If you want to take good photos, you must avoid the crowd, go to the other side of the mountain where there are no people, take advantage of the light, and take the desert as the background, no matter what you take, it will look good.
4) In the Dunhuang Desert, in addition to appreciating the roughness and tenderness of the desert yellow sand, camping in the desert is also a good experience. The Crescent Moon Spring Scenic Area is in the front mountain, and the camping is in the back mountain. There is a camping base (food, lodging, and entertainment), but the camping base is not open in winter, and it was gone when we went in October.
Son of the Earth, a work of art in the Gobi
When it comes to Guazhou County in Jiuquan, do you think that the melons here are really sweet like me, so every time you come out of Dunhuang and pass by here, you will eat melons. But this time I would like to share with you two sculptures on the Gobi Desert in Guazhou—Son of the Earth and Unbounded.
In the desolate desert, there is a statue lying quietly in the arms of Mother Earth, like a sleeping child. This is the "son of the earth" we have seen. Designed by Professor Dong Shubing, Dean of the Department of Fine Arts and Sculpture at Tsinghua University.
"Son of the Earth" is a squatting baby sculpture with a fat body and a round face. It looks very cute and shocking, with an inexplicable sense of visual impact. When I saw photos on the Internet before, I felt that there was a child lying there in the vast Gobi Desert, which was very lonely, but when I saw it with my own eyes, I felt the sense of harmony revealed by the baby’s expression. It was really like a child of the earth. Even this piece of Gobi became gentle for a moment.
Not far from "Son of the Earth", there is another building, which is also "Borderless" created by Professor Dong Shubing. Its creative inspiration comes from the "Jingbian Painting" of the Tang Dynasty in Mogao Grottoes and Yulin Grottoes. It combines the pavilions in the murals with modern construction techniques to reproduce them. It is constructed with pure white steel pipes and simple shapes. From a distance, A white hollowed-out building is like a dream in the Gobi, much like the legendary "mirage".
Under the blue sky, the unbounded white is even more spectacular on the quiet Gobi Desert, forming a strong contrast with the color of the desert. Due to the effect of light and wind, the image of the sculpture in the desert will be different every moment, and the beauty is a bit unreal.
These two sculptures appearing on the vast Gobi have added a lot of vitality to this desolate desert. I am very lucky to have the opportunity to see these two works of art, and I am very happy that modern art in China can develop in the Gobi. If you have a chance, you should come and see the works of art on this desert.
【tips】
1) Located in Guazhou County, Jiuquan City, Gansu Province (you can reach it by navigating Son of the Earth)
2) Aerial photography will be more spectacular, but the ones here are very large, so be careful when flying drones. When we went, it was too windy to fly.
3) No tickets are required, it is just on the side of the road, there is a parking space, and it is very convenient to drive by yourself.
Zhangye colorful Danxia, a colorful world
Who overturned the palette,
Let the mountains and plains become paintings.
In this vast and magnificent northwest land, there are too many dazzling beauties, and Zhangye Colorful Danxia is one of them. On this land, God spared no effort to sprinkle the most brilliant colors on the rolling mountains, turning it into the colorful world we see.
Colorful Danxia is located in Linze County, Zhangye City. It is one of the "Top 10 Magical Geographical Wonders of the World". Fairy tale world. Colorful Danxia has attracted batch after batch of people with its charm.
I have seen Colorful Danxia many times, and I am shocked every time I meet. When I came here, I discovered that there are so many kinds of red, and it can be so changeable. The whole earth seems to be dyed, full of colors.
When you come to the viewing platform and look around, oil paintings are presented in front of you. The beauty of colorful Danxia lies in its color. Under the sunlight, various bright colors such as red, yellow, orange, green and white are distinct. Some mountains are red and yellow, some mountains are yellow and white, and the colorful hills stretching for hundreds of miles, like strips of gorgeous silk hanging on the hills, so harmonious and natural.
I have seen colorful Danxia in different seasons, and the colorful Danxia in late autumn makes my heart move. At this time, the colorful Danxia is more low-key and quiet without crowded people.
I remember that when we came to the colorful Danxia at the end of October, although there was no snow at that time, the Danxia we saw was covered with layers of white, which was a dreamy and mysterious color. The colorful Danxia at this moment is like A dreamy watercolor painting, giving people a bright feeling.
The colorful Danxia in the evening is the most lovely time. The light of sunset hits the texture of Danxia, and it changes wonderfully every second. Facing the afterglow of the sunset, the endless hills look desolate and magnificent, and the feeling at this moment is warm and long. I think God is very partial to this land, and deliberately overturned the palette, so that there is such an amazing and unique colorful Danxia.
Colorful Danxia is changeable. Everyone has a colorful Danxia in their eyes. When you meet it, you will have a unique colorful Danxia in your heart. In the colorful Danxia, you can feel the tranquility brought by this land to your heart's content, and feel the roughness and gentleness of this northwest land.
【tips】
1) Ordinary ticket: 75 yuan (ticket + sightseeing car), you need an ID card to buy a ticket, and you can enter the scenic spot by swiping your ID card directly.
2) Tour route: The scenic spot is divided into north gate, west gate and east gate entrance, all of which can be entered by sightseeing bus. We entered from the north gate. The route is: North Entrance—Colorful Xianyuan Terrace—Colorful Yunhai Terrace—Colorful Jinxiu Terrace—Colorful Rainbow Xia Terrace—North Gate
There is no need to deliberately remember the route, there will be a sightseeing bus at every point, as long as you get on the bus, you will arrive at every point.
3) When the scenic spot opens in the morning, you can watch the sunrise, and in the evening, you can wait for the sunset. The light in the evening is the softest, and you can arrange to enter the scenic spot according to your own time.
Drow Mountain, the "Little Switzerland" in the East
I have always heard that on National Highway 227, there is a place comparable to the rural scenery of Switzerland, called Drow Mountain.
Although I have walked the Qinggan line many times, I have never been to Drow Mountain before. The original trip plan in August did not include the Drow Mountain stop, because I changed some itineraries on the road at that time, so I met this time. Drow Mountain was a pleasant surprise.
Zhuoer Mountain Scenic Area is located in Babao Town, Qilian County, Qinghai Province. It belongs to Danxia landform and is composed of red sandstone and conglomerate. Standing on the top of Zhuoer Mountain, you have a wide view. On the opposite side of the mountain is Niuxin Mountain. Baiyanggou Scenic Area, with the rolling Qilian Mountains on the back, is very spectacular.
It is said that every June and July is the most beautiful time of Zhuoer Mountain, and large rapeseed flowers will bloom at this time. When we went at the end of August, the rapeseed flowers were gone. Although we didn’t see the rapeseed flowers, we were still attracted by the scenery in front of us. Scattered high and low barley fields, endless hills, dense forests, green grasslands, holy snow-capped mountains... Various colors such as yellow, green, red, and blue are presented in front of you. This picture is as beautiful as a fairyland , no wonder it is known as "Oriental Little Switzerland".
In Zhuoer Mountain, every step is a scenery. The more you go up, the better the scenery. Along the winding wooden plank road in the scenic area, you can go all the way to the beacon tower on the top of the mountain, and you can have a panoramic view of the beautiful scenery in all directions. Standing on the top of the mountain and looking down, the layered colors have a great sense of visual impact. I have seen the colorful Danxia in Zhangye, but the two are not the same beauty. There are more green embellishments in Zhuoer Mountain, so the colors will be more abundant. .
Standing on the top of the mountain and looking around, the villages scattered in the valley are like a paradise, unknown to the world, not noisy, each house has its own beautiful story, mysterious and dreamy, in the snow-capped mountains and forests Against the background, it seems to be in a fairy tale world.
The scenery in the Northwest will always bring us shocking beauty. Zhuoer Mountain is a colorful idyllic scroll on the Northwest land, which makes people feel refreshed and happy. It can satisfy all your imagination of the beautiful scenery here.
【tips】
1) Tickets: 80 yuan/person (including the sightseeing car to and from the scenic spot), there are two gates, Line A and Line B, so when taking the sightseeing bus, pay attention to which line you take, and which line you take when you go back.
2) From the location of the sightseeing car to the top of the mountain, a plank road has been built all the way. It takes about 1 hour to climb to the top of the mountain. All the way up, every step is a scenery.
3) From the beacon tower on the top of the mountain, you can overlook the scenery on all sides. It is very beautiful. You must climb to the top of the mountain.
4) A plank road not far in front of the beacon tower (in front of the snow mountain) is a good camera position, snow mountain, forest, grassland...everything you want is available.
The Qilian prairie satisfies my longing for the grassland
Qilian Grassland is a high-altitude grassland. It is located in the Qilian Mountains at the junction of Qinghai and Gansu. It is one of the "six most beautiful grasslands in China". Anyone who walks the Qinggan Ring Road will pass through the Qilian Grassland. Here you can run, play, and enjoy Get close to the beauty of nature.
Summer is the most beautiful season in the Qilian Prairie. The blue sky, white clouds, snow-capped mountains, herds of cattle and sheep, tents of herdsmen’s homes, and roads are connected together to form a wonderful picture scroll. The endless scenery makes people mesmerized. .
Under the Gangshika Snow Peak, there is the endless Qilian prairie. Herds of cattle and sheep are leisurely looking for food, and the colorful prayer flags dance with the wind, which is a heart-warming picture.
Self-driving on the road in the Northwest is often touched by beautiful scenery, sudden changes in weather, herds of cattle and sheep, and unexpected surprises.
On the prairie, you will encounter some cute little animals, and you will find a lot of groundhog holes. They will stick out their heads cleverly to see if anyone has passed by. When they see us, they will hide or slip away. They run very fast. ,Super cute.
Being in the vast grassland, I always feel that the sky is very low and the clouds are within reach. Looking at the snow-capped mountains in the distance, there are rolling mountains under the snow-capped mountains, and fresh green, yellow and other colors are in front of you, and the air is full of fresh grassland flavor. Looking at the beautiful scenery of nature in front of you, the exhaustion along the way disappeared without a trace, and now you can just enjoy the beauty of nature to your heart's content.
I really like the prairie so much, so every time I pass by the Qilian prairie, I have to get out of the car and play for a while. Along the way, you will find that many grasslands are protected by local people, but there will also be some tourist service points on the road, where you can park and play, and the fee is 10 yuan per person. There are also some entertainment items such as horse riding and archery. Additional fees apply.
Jinta Populus euphratica forest, a fairytale look in autumn
Autumn is a romantic and lovely season, and the colorful colors give it attractive colors. Autumn can be said to be the most intoxicating season, with gorgeous colors, no matter how you look at it, you can’t get enough of it.
As soon as autumn enters, at this time, from south to north, it becomes the palette of God. Autumn is also a season suitable for travel. The breeze is not dry, the sun is just right, the leaves are falling, and every inch of land exudes gentle light.
Where is the beauty of autumn? That is undoubtedly the autumn scenery of Populus euphratica forest. When autumn comes, the leaves of the Populus euphratica forest turn yellow, like a golden ocean, which is particularly dazzling by the sunlight. At this time, the beauty of the Populus euphratica forest is like stepping into a fairy tale world in a fairyland.
But the autumn of Populus euphratica forest is short, and because of this shortness, the poplar euphratica forest in autumn attracts countless people. Because I prefer the autumn colors of Populus euphratica, I have a second trip to the Northwest in October, and I came here for Populus euphratica with a group of friends.
Our first stop to find the autumn colors of Populus euphratica came to Jiuquan Jinta Populus euphratica. Different from other Populus euphratica forests, the Populus euphratica forest in Jinta was artificially planted to resist wind and sand, but its scale is not inferior to the Populus euphratica forests in other places, and it also has the magic and surprise that Populus euphratica forests should have. In the golden autumn, the entire Populus euphratica forest seems to be dyed golden like an oil painting, and the lake water makes it look more beautiful.
When we arrived at the Populus euphratica Forest in Jinta, it was actually late October, which was the end of the Populus euphratica season, so many of the Populus euphratica we saw had withered. Because I have been here before, this time I took my friends straight to Jinbo Lake. Fortunately, there are still many Populus euphratica in full bloom.
Jinbo Lake is the most quintessential spot in the Jinta Populus euphratica forest. Located in the north of Populus euphratica Forest Square, the lake is crystal clear, surrounded by poplars euphratica on the shore, and the golden poplars are reflected in it, hence the name Jinbo Lake. The weather was cloudy that day, so I didn't see very dazzling colors. But the Populus euphratica forest seen from the perspective of the drone is still amazing. Beside the clear lake, there is a golden Populus euphratica. Seeing that the forest is dyed all over the sky, it constitutes a natural oil painting, as if you are in the painting, and you are like entering a fairy tale world.
Walking in the Populus euphratica forest, you will be greeted with a breath of life. There is no tree in the world that has such a shocking beauty like Populus euphratica. Although it is artificially cultivated, it lacks the atmosphere of Populus euphratica, but because of the background of Jinbo Lake, it also has a special style. The thick and vicissitudes of the trunk are hidden among the golden leaves, and the golden color and the lake water set off each other, creating a wonderful picture.
Walking in the Jinta Populus euphratica forest, the eyes are golden, a gust of wind blows, and the leaves fall one after another. The fallen leaves dance in the wind, and the feet step on the falling leaves, making a "rustling" sound, just like playing a happy song. The tune, playing the track of changing seasons.
【tips】
1) Jinta Populus euphratica Forest Scenic Area is located 8 kilometers northwest of Jinta County, Jiuquan, Gansu Province. It is divided into five major areas: Jinbo Lake Core Tourist Area, Sazao Forest Sightseeing Area, Hanhai Red Willow Forest Conservation Area, Desert Entertainment Experience Area and Desert Reed Maze Area composition. We came in the scenic spot in the afternoon and mainly visited Jinbo Lake. If you need to visit other spots, remember to arrange more time.
2) Tickets are 65 yuan + 20 yuan for a sightseeing car. Those who travel by car can drive in, and there is an extra charge of 30 yuan for a car.
3) The Jinta in October is already a bit cold, remember to keep warm.
Heicheng Ruoshui Populus euphratica forest, give me one day and pay you back three thousand years
Populus euphratica forest with weak water in Heicheng:
The second stop of our search for the autumn colors of Populus euphratica came to the Heicheng Ruoshui Populus euphratica Scenic Spot. After seeing the Jinta Populus euphratica forest that has come to an end, and before coming here, I heard that there have been strong winds in the past few days, and many leaves of Populus euphratica have been blown off. To be honest, I didn’t have much expectation for Heicheng Ruoshui, but The moment we met, the eyes were golden, it was really a surprise!
Heicheng Ruoshui is located about 25 kilometers southeast of Dalaihubu Town, Ejina Banner, Inner Mongolia. Ejina Banner belongs to the Alxa League of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and is located at the westernmost end of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Ejina Banner is adjacent to Alxa Right Banner in the east, Jiuquan City in Gansu Province in the southwest, and Mongolia in the north.
Ejina Banner is an area inhabited by various ethnic groups with a long history and rich cultural heritage, and it is a place with extremely rich tourism resources. Generally speaking, when traveling in Ejina Banner, the three must-see attractions are Heicheng Ruoshui Populus euphratica Forest Scenic Spot, Juyan Sea and Ejina Populus euphratica Forest.
We came here on October 24th, perfectly avoiding the peak season of Populus euphratica. There are almost no tourists in the whole scenic spot except us. Our car can also drive in directly and play while stopping. It is so happy. !
The Heicheng Ruoshui Scenic Area is quite large, including Ruoshui Populus euphratica Forest, Heishui Ancient City, Strange Forest, Heicheng Ruins and other scenic spots. The first stop we bought from the entrance of the scenic spot was the Ruoshui Populus euphratica Forest. We did not have the Heishui Ruins go.
Ruoshui Populus euphratica forest is located on both sides of the main river in the upper reaches of Ruoshui River, known as "the drunken Populus euphratica forest". Walking here is like stepping into a golden ocean, and also like stepping into an oil painting.
Walking in the Populus euphratica forest is like entering a fairyland in a fairy tale. The dense Populus euphratica is full of strange shapes and looks. Some stand straight like soldiers, some pose gracefully like dancers, some are charming and charming like young women, and some dead Populus euphratica bend over like old people. ...and the thick Populus euphratica is difficult for several people to embrace, and the Populus euphratica with different postures is amazing!
Fortunately, when I came to Heicheng Ruoshui, the sky was clear and bright, and the Populus euphratica trees showed wonderful pictures against the blue sky and white clouds. The reflection of Populus euphratica by the Ruoshui River in the clear water, how many people yearn for this beautiful scene like an oil painting?
From the perspective of aerial photography, the Populus euphratica is more spectacular, and the Populus euphratica is dazzling and colorful. The well-proportioned golden Populus euphratica trees, proud of the sky, stand tenaciously in the desert and are dazzling. They reflect each other with the blue sky and embellish the whole desert with vitality. We seem to be in the golden world and enjoy the beauty endowed by nature.
God gave the most beautiful scenery to autumn, and autumn gave Populus euphratica the most beautiful colors. When the autumn colors are full of eyes, Populus euphratica swayed its own colors to the fullest, and they released the passion that had been stored for a year in autumn. An unrivaled color. Standing under the Populus euphratica tree, a gust of autumn wind blows, and the leaves of Populus euphratica on the branches dance and make a clattering sound, just like a beautiful piece of music. From time to time, golden leaves slowly float down in front of you, so quiet and gentle, as if telling fairy tales.
Compared with the Populus euphratica forest by the Ruoshui River, the Populus euphratica forest next to it in Fenghuang Forest is much inferior. Some leaves have fallen off, and some leaves are still green in color, so we can see another view of Populus euphratica here.
Fenghuang Forest is located on the east bank of the Ruoshui River. It is a unique desert Populus euphratica landscape belt, and it is also the best place to watch the sunset on the Changhe River. However, we did not wait for the sunset.
Walking in the Populus euphratica forest, you can feel the tenacious vitality of Populus euphratica. In this barren desert, instead of restraining the growth of Populus euphratica, it has created the tenacity and tenacity of Populus euphratica. In this desolate desert, Populus euphratica and the desert are waiting for each other, while Populus euphratica uses its life force to bloom with moving colors. Although the validity period is short, it is enough to make many people come here for it.
Heishui Ancient City:
The ancient city of Heishui, adjacent to the Ruoshui River, was rebuilt in different places according to the ratio of 1:1 of the ruins of Heishui. The newly built Heishui Ancient City is a new type of ancient city cultural collection and distribution experience center integrating history and culture, entertainment experience, leisure and vacation, desert sports, catering and food.
There are markets, post stations, schools, banks, grocery stores, horse markets, bodyguards, etc. in the ancient city of Heishui, presenting an ancient city of Heishui, a secret place in the desert that has passed through thousands of years. The supporting facilities in the city are perfect, so that tourists can experience the fun of eating, drinking and playing in one stop in the ancient city of Heishui, and experience the essence of the original Western Region culture.
At the end of October, the ancient city of Heishui has passed the peak period of Populus euphratica, and there are really few tourists. Many shops are closed, and only one or two shops are vaguely seen. Compared with the hustle and bustle of the past, it seems a bit deserted, but there are no more. Crowded crowds, strolling in the ancient city is another kind of vacation mood, rare quiet and comfortable. If you don't like crowds, you can really choose this time to come.
Climbing up the ancient city wall, you can have a wide view, and you can have a panoramic view of the surrounding scenery. You can see that Heicheng is surrounded by the Ruoshui River, you can see the Populus euphratica growing tenaciously by the Ruoshui River, and you can see the vast desert... All these have witnessed the vicissitudes of history and the traces of development.
Strange Forest:
In the Heicheng Scenic Area, there is a large dead Populus euphratica forest, which is the legendary "strange forest". The strange forest is also our last stop in the Heicheng Scenic Area.
The moment you walk into the strange forest, it is like walking into a magical world. The dead Populus euphratica is in various poses and grotesque shapes, swaying here and there, standing up, lying on the back, lying down, or lying down... It looks desolate and tragic from a distance.
In fact, Populus euphratica is a very peculiar tree species with strong vitality. It used to be a vast area with dense Populus euphratica forest. Due to the transformation of the river, the ecological environment on which Populus euphratica depended for survival was greatly destroyed, and the water source was cut off, causing large areas of trees to die. . However, Populus euphratica has unique anti-corrosion properties, and is also known as the "living fossil" of plants. Therefore, the trunks of dead Populus euphratica still stand upright on the Gobi Desert, forming the sad landscape of various shapes.
Populus euphratica, which lives for a thousand years, dies for a thousand years, and falls for a thousand years, is the best proof of this passage. After death, Populus euphratica stood tenaciously in the Gobi Desert, showing a tenacious will. The harsh environment took the life of Populus euphratica, but could not destroy their souls.
Walking along the wooden plank road, there is no one inside. To be honest, it is a bit scary to walk alone. But the further you go inside, there is a strong shock. I see some Populus euphratica are full of vitality and have grown new leaves, while some Populus euphratica are withered and their branches are full of cracks. unyielding.
Every tree in the strange forest has its own characteristics. For the protection of the environment, most of the dead Populus euphratica trees on site are enclosed and cannot be crossed. Anywhere, you can shoot at will. It is also especially suitable for shooting sunsets and silhouettes, so those who want to shoot sunsets should come before sunset.
【tips】
1) Tickets are 200 yuan per person. Tickets for scenic spots are combined tickets, including tickets for scenic spots and intervals.
2) General itineraries: Tickets for the scenic spot—Weakshui Populus euphratica Forest—Heishui Ancient City—Strange Forest (we didn’t go to the Heicheng ruins).
There will be shuttle buses between each point, which is very convenient. When we arrived in late October, there were basically no people in the scenic spot, and our car could also drive directly into the scenic spot to play while stopping.
3) The scenic spot is quite big. If you need to take beautiful photos, remember to reserve more time. You can choose to go in in the afternoon and leave after taking pictures of the sunset.
Juyanhai sunrise, the coldest but most beautiful sunrise
I have seen the sunrise in many places, but where is the most memorable sunrise for me?
It must be Feijuyanhai without a doubt, it is the coldest but most beautiful sunrise I have ever seen.
Juyanhai is the tail lake of the Heihe River, the second largest inland river in my country. It originates from the Heihe River deep in the Qilian Mountains, flows through the three provinces of Qinghai, Gansu and Inner Mongolia, and merges into two Gobi depressions on the northwestern edge of the Badainji Desert, forming two lakes in the east and west. The big lakes are collectively called Juyanhai.
Juyan Lake is located in the northern part of Ejina, Alxa League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
We drove about 1 hour from the hotel in the urban area to Juyanhai. In order to watch the sunrise in time, we got up at 5 o'clock in the morning and set off. It was really cold in Ejina Banner at the end of October. We almost wore all the thick clothes we brought. When we arrived at the entrance of the scenic spot, we may have come too early, there was no one, it was pitch black, and the ticket office turned on the lights after waiting for a while.
When we bought the tickets and went to the ticket gate, the staff told us that it was too cold and there were no tourists, and the scenic spot would be closed in a few days, and there was no shuttle bus now, but we could drive our own car in. In this way, we also drove our own car to play in Juyanhai.
There are 3 observation decks in Juyan Sea Area. Observation Deck No. 1 can overlook the panorama of the entire Juyan Sea. good location.
When our car drove in, the surrounding area was still dark, and we didn't see anyone else, so we came to No. 2 viewing platform based on the feeling from the last time. It's really cold outside the car. It can be described as a bone-chilling cold needle. I wear down jackets, sweaters, scarves and other warm clothes, but I still feel the cold wind blowing in. After a while, my hands and feet are as cold as numbness. Even my mobile phone I can't even hold it steady.
Even though he was shivering from the cold, his eyes were still looking at the distant horizon, watching it slowly reveal a touch of crimson. Juyanhai at this moment is quiet, so quiet that only the sound of the cold wind and the cries of seagulls can be heard. By the sea, quietly waiting for the arrival of the sunrise.
The process of waiting for the sunrise is hard work, but looking at the scenery in front of you is worth it! The lake, reeds, and wild geese are presented in front of the eyes, and the seagulls are flying in the sky above the reeds. The lake is rippling, reflecting the reeds swaying with the wind in the lake, the water plants, and the crimson in the sky. It is a moving picture. screen.
I don't know if the weather is too cold, even Father Sun has been hiding and refused to show his face, until 7:30 the sky is still crimson. At that time, I was almost numb from the cold. To be honest, at that moment I gave up waiting for it to come out and ran back to the car to warm up.
As we were about to leave, the sun came out in that split second. In an instant, the entire lake surface changed its color. The golden lake surface was rippling with blue waves, changing light and shadow, and alternating colors, creating such a perfect highlight moment like Juyanhai.
It was really cold at that time, so when the sun came out, I didn't want to get out of the car to take pictures, so I took a random picture, and I saw everything else in my eyes and kept it in my mind.
Watching the sunrise in Juyanhai will make you unforgettable for a lifetime, and you will never forget the pain of the biting cold wind, but more is the amazing before and after sunrise.
【tips】
1) Tickets are 75 yuan per person, including the scenic shuttle bus.
2) The scenic spot is really cold in the morning, and the seaside wind is also very strong, so you must keep warm.
3) When you come to Juyanhai, you can watch the sunrise, the sea, reeds and seabirds, and you can continue to play after sunrise. The reeds are also very beautiful to take pictures. After we read it, we went directly to the Populus euphratica forest in Ejina Banner, so we didn't stay long.
Populus euphratica forest in Ejina Banner, I have seen its blooming and withering
The third stop of our search for the autumn colors of Populus euphratica forest came to the Populus euphratica Forest Scenic Spot in Ejina Banner, but at the end of October, the Populus euphratica in Ejina Banner was already at the end of the Populus euphratica. When we arrived at the scenic spot, we found that the Populus euphratica inside had almost withered. At that time, many people said that we had missed it. After the best viewing period of Populus euphratica, there is no need to go there.
I believe that many people have seen the appearance of Populus euphratica in full bloom, but few people have seen the appearance of Populus euphratica at the end. Generally, everyone will choose the best viewing period, just to catch a glimpse of the most beautiful autumn colors of Populus euphratica. If this time had not come, I would not have seen the withered Populus euphratica.
From Jinta Populus euphratica forest to Heicheng Ruoshui Populus euphratica forest, I have harvested too much beauty of Populus euphratica along the way. I have seen the blooming and withering of Populus euphratica. I really have no regrets about Populus euphratica.
Many people say that Ejin only travels once a year. This place, which is only beautiful for 21 days a year, comes too early, and the Populus euphratica in Ejina does not have a variety of brilliant colors; if it comes too late, the leaves of the Populus euphratica will be knocked off by the autumn frost on the plateau. So if you want to see the most beautiful autumn colors of Populus euphratica, you must come during the best viewing period of Populus euphratica.
Now that we have seen the appearance of Populus euphratica in full bloom above, let’s also take a look at the appearance of Populus euphratica withered.
To be honest, before I entered the scenic spot, I didn't expect the leaves of Populus euphratica here to fall so fast, at least half of the area is golden yellow like Heicheng Ruoshui. After entering the scenic spot, I found that all I saw were Populus euphratica with remaining trunks. I felt depressed for a moment and wanted to go back. But when I thought that since I had already bought a ticket to come in, I couldn't waste the 240 yuan ticket, so I quickly adjusted my mood and continued to walk inside with my friends.
In fact, Populus euphratica only blooms for 20 days a year. At this time, the Populus euphratica forest scenic spot gradually returns to calm after being bustling, and there are very few tourists in the scenic spot. The wind and clouds, the yellow sand, and the leaves of Populus euphratica began to wither, leaving only the vigorous trunk. The Populus euphratica tree, which looks like a rotten wood but stands still, looks even more vicissitudes. The Populus euphratica forest at this moment is a different kind of scenery, a different kind of roughness.
Following the shuttle bus in the scenic spot from Erdaoqiao to Badaoqiao, it can be regarded as visiting the scenic spot. Walking in the scenic spot, looking at the blue sky, there are some Populus euphratica covered with golden leaves, which are tightly stuck to the branches as if they do not want to fall. The ground is already full of fallen leaves. This is the cycle of rebirth and withering. Every withering will be a reincarnation of rebirth. The blooming Populus euphratica is beautiful, but the withered Populus euphratica has more vitality.
【tips】
1) There are eight bridges in the scenic area, and each place has different charming scenery. Yidaoqiao Taolai Forest (at the gate of the scenic spot), Erdaoqiao Reflection Forest, Sandaoqiao Red Willow Sea, Sidaoqiao Hero Forest, Wudaoqiao Folk Custom Garden, Liudaoqiao is not open yet, Qidaoqiao Dreamland Forest, Badaoqiao Sand Hailin.
2) Sightseeing cars will stop at Erdao Bridge, Sidao Bridge, Qidao Bridge, and Badao Bridge. You can return to Yiyi Bridge (the gate of the scenic spot) at one stop at Sidao Bridge and Badao Bridge. You need to walk from one of the bridges to Erdaoqiao, and you need to walk from Erdaoqiao to Sandaoqiao.
3) Erdaoqiao can take pictures of the reflection of Populus euphratica. Sidaoqiao is the filming location of the movie "Heroes" shot by Zhang Yimou. Qidaoqiao Populus euphratica has a unique shape, it is the earliest place where Populus euphratica turns yellow, and it is also one of the essence places of Populus euphratica in Ejina. You can spend more time in these places.
4) Populus euphratica forest is a very seasonal natural landscape. The best viewing period is between October 1st and 15th every year. At this time, most of the Populus euphratica is yellow, so if you want to see the golden yellow Populus euphratica, you must not miss it The best viewing period, if you have enough holidays, you can avoid the small long-term peak period of National Day.
5) Tickets: 240 yuan/person, including scenic sightseeing cars.
Great Northwest, there will be a period later
Some people say that you must go to the Northwest once in your lifetime, because taking the Great Ring Road once is equivalent to traveling several times. Over thousands of kilometers, you can see the sea of flowers, grasslands, deserts, Gobi, Yardang, snow-capped mountains, lakes and other scenery you want to see. here it is.
The vast and sparsely populated Northwest is desolate yet vibrant, lonely yet bustling. Those who have never been there are fascinated by a photo, and those who have been there can never forget it just by looking at it.
When sorting out the photos of the Northwest, I found that I had been to the Northwest four times in the past two years without knowing it. There were too many photos stored in the folder, and I was reluctant to delete any of them, because each one contained too many photos. Too much goodness.
Going to a place repeatedly is like having a conversation with yourself in different periods. Every trip has different rewards. In these turbulent days, cherish every brave journey.
