Luntai Populus Euphratica Forest Scenic Area

Luntai Populus Euphratica Forest Scenic Area

The Luntai Populus Euphratica Forest Scenic Area is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Luntai County in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is located at the southern foot of the Tianshan Mountains and the northern edge of the Tarim Basin. It is home to the world’s largest, densest, and best-preserved “living fossil from the Tertiary period”—over 400,000 acres of natural Populus euphratica forests. The Luntai Populus Euphratica Forest has been ranked among China’s Top Ten Most Beautiful Forests.

The Populus euphratica is an ancient tree species that dates back to the Tertiary period. With a long growth cycle, many of these trees develop unique and striking shapes due to the effects of wind and drought, leading to the saying: “Three thousand years to live, three thousand years to stand after death, and three thousand years to remain unrotted after falling.” The vast majority of the world’s Populus euphratica trees grow in China, and over ninety percent of China’s Populus euphratica forests are located in the Tarim River basin of Xinjiang. In the Uyghur language, the tree is called “tokhrak,” meaning “the most beautiful tree.” Due to its tenacious vitality and remarkable resistance to drought, wind, and salinity, it is also known as the “hero tree of the desert.”

Alongside the Populus euphratica, there are other desert plants such as red willow, saxaul, and oleaster. Their life cycles are a testament— a revelation about life and death, dominance in the desert, and survival against all odds. Whether bathed in the morning glow or draped in the evening sun, they exude an air of mystery while also conveying vitality and hope.

When the seasons shift away from the scorching summer and the winds bring cool breezes, the wild Populus euphratica forests don their most magnificent attire of the year. Their thick trunks and large canopies show that they have stored up ample energy. With their indomitable vitality, they stand ready to withstand the harsh winter to come. For hundreds or even thousands of years, they have persevered in this way, and their vibrancy, grandeur, and brilliance can rival the epics of Homer, the operas of Wagner, and the symphonies of Beethoven. Their passionate spirit, which loves fiercely until death, is the ultimate tribute to time.

Travelers can take a train or bus from Ürümqi, or simply hire a car to reach Luntai County. Once in Luntai, be sure to rent a vehicle and head straight for the Tarim River Bridge. The journey offers breathtaking scenery everywhere, and you’ll find yourself stopping frequently. Remember to take photos away from the roadside to avoid getting too distracted by the immediate beauty. You can stay overnight at a nearby guesthouse by the Tarim River Bridge, where prices are very affordable. Make sure to wake up at dawn to reshoot the scenes you captured the previous day. In the afternoon, head directly to the Populus Euphratica Forest Park. It is located along the same road from Luntai to the Tarim River Bridge, at the turnoff midway. Be sure to climb the 24-meter-high watchtower. Outside the “official” park, you can also explore the wild Populus euphratica forests. There is an area known locally as the “vegetable field,” where the trees grow as densely as cabbages. The road you’ll travel on is the famous “Desert Highway,” which has excellent conditions. You can drive a regular car at speeds of up to 120 km/h. This year, a light rail system was even introduced in the Populus euphratica Forest Park. It’s said to be the best way to save time and energy without damaging the natural scenery, but honestly, photographers and photography enthusiasts might see it as nothing short of a nightmare.

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