Natural Populus Euphratica Forest Nature Reserve

Natural Populus Euphratica Forest Nature Reserve

Natural Populus Euphratica Forest Nature Reserve

The Natural Populus Euphratica Forest Nature Reserve is located on both sides of the Tarim River within Shaya County, approximately 35 kilometers from the county seat. It is the world’s largest and best-preserved national nature reserve of Populus Euphratica forests, covering an area of over 2 million mu.

The Populus Euphratica is one of the ancient and rare tree species in Xinjiang, and in the Uyghur language it means "the most beautiful tree." It has long been praised as "living for a thousand years without dying, standing for a thousand years after death, and remaining unrotted for another thousand years." In late autumn, the uniquely shaped trees turn a golden hue, creating a particularly spectacular sight and forming a beautiful landscape along the Tarim River. The Populus Euphratica Forest Nature Reserve is home to a large number of wild animals such as hares, pheasants, wild boars, foxes, hedgehogs, Tarim red deer, argali, gazelles, and hundreds of bird species. It also hosts a wealth of valuable wild plants including licorice, Apocynum pictum, Cistanche, and Tamarix.