Xiahe Desert Populus Euphratica Forest Ecotourism Site

Xiahe Desert Populus Euphratica Forest Ecotourism Site

Xiahe Desert Populus Euphratica Forest Ecotourism Site

Xiahe Desert Populus Euphratica Forest Ecotourism Site The Xiahe Desert Populus Euphratica Forest Ecotourism Site offers activities such as off-road adventures in the Gobi Desert, sightseeing of Populus euphratica trees, desert exploration, and leisure experiences. Traveling 103 kilometers along the Bachu County–Tumushuke Highway from Bachu County (located in the southwestern part of Bachu County), you will reach the Xiahe Primitive Populus Euphratica Forest Natural Ecotourism Site. The unique geographical environment here has created the stunning natural scenery of Bachu County. Bachu County is home to the world’s largest, most intact, and contiguous expanse of primitive wild Populus euphratica forest, covering approximately 240,000 acres in total. The forest is mainly distributed on both sides of the Yarkand River. The area boasts a rich diversity of wildlife, with animals such as Mongolian gazelles, wild deer, pheasants, rabbits, and foxes often spotted. Meanwhile, specialty plants like Bachu mushrooms, Cistanche, and Apocynum are well known far and wide. You can ride camels or take desert adventure vehicles to experience the lush ancient Populus euphratica trees within the forest, as well as the secondary forest clusters that have formed in large areas. The ancient Yarkand River basin has created small, mirror-like lakes on the flat forest terrain. As you step into the Populus euphratica forest, you’ll be greeted by an overwhelming sense of the primeval. Here, you can feel the pulse of raw, untamed life. The wind-felled tree clusters on the edge of the desert display a majestic upward surge, demonstrating an indomitable spirit. Their fantastical shapes make you marvel at the grandeur of nature. It’s astonishing that these iron-hard tree trunks, though dead for thousands of years, remain unrotted and stand proudly to this day. With their tenacious will, they resist the encroachment of the desert. In their presence, we can’t help but feel deep reverence. Their shapes are wonderfully diverse: some resemble a roc spreading its wings, others a galloping steed, some like a graceful maiden, and still others like ancient dancers. As the poem goes: “Short as dragons and snakes in shifting forms, crouching like bears and tigers atop high ridges. Playful as a mythical fox with nine tails swaying, fierce as a yaksha baring teeth and claws.” The ancient Populus euphratica forest is truly a natural palace of art. Wandering through its vast expanse offers a sense of returning to simplicity and purity—a transcendence beyond the mundane.