Vast Desert Waves of Willow

Vast Desert Waves of Willow

Vast Desert Waves of Willow

The Vast Desert Waves of Willow scenic area is located in Sidaohezi Town in the northern part of Shawan County, 66 kilometers south of the county seat. It borders the Gurbantünggüt Desert in the Junggar Basin to the north, faces the “Huke” Expressway to the south, and is traversed by the Manas River. Visiting this area offers unique experiences such as camping and exploring the wild. The scenic area comprises two parts: the vast desert and the original secondary forest, stretching along both banks of the Manas River.

To the north lies the boundless desert, majestic in scale. Endless sand ridges resembling dragons, along with crescent and horseshoe-shaped dunes, undulate as far as the eye can see. Climbing the dunes and looking into the distance, one can see ancient riverbeds and flood channels winding through the landscape. Along the river bends and beside the sand ridges, dense stands of populus euphratica trees, tamarisk thickets, red willows in hues of red and green, and various weeds create a vibrant scene. The sand ridges host tall populus euphratica trees, lush tamarisks, graceful needlegrasses, short and plump camel thorns, striking calligonum, as well as medicinal herbs like ephedra, all displaying their unique forms. Wildlife such as Mongolian gazelles, wolves, wild boars, wild donkeys, and other animals roam the area, forming a distinctive desert landscape.

At the junction where the river and desert meet within the scenic area, there is an original secondary forest of red willows spanning nearly 40,000 acres. Interspersed among them are wild trees such as oleaster, Russian thistle, and wild roses. From April to June each year, the willow blossoms burst into full bloom, turning the entire scenic area into a sea of pink. When the breeze blows, waves of willow catkins drift gently like a soft red mist. Standing within the forest, the swaying willow blossoms dazzle the eyes, the fragrance of jujube flowers fills the air, the green grass thrives, wildflowers vie in brilliance, and occasionally wild rabbits and sand partridges can be spotted, creating a delightful and intoxicating experience.

Currently, the scenic area is in the early stages of development. A variety of transportation options have been introduced for visitors to explore, including horse-drawn carriages, off-road vehicles, Bactrian camels, and fine horses, allowing them to traverse the maze of red willows. Visitors can also swim and fish in Taiping Lake within the desert, or ride Bactrian camels to take in the vast desert scenery.