October’s paradise is in Ejin Banner, where the mesmerizing beauty of the annual poplar forest arrives right on schedule. Though this splendor is fleeting (lasting only about twenty days), it’s an absolutely unmissable sight in a lifetime. There’s already plenty written online about the beauty of Ejin Banner, so I won’t elaborate further.Below, I’ve simply listed the self-drive route taken on this trip to help fellow travelers who plan to go again. ...
Beijing to Ejin Banner Self-Drive Route:
October 1–6, 2013We drove a long-distance journey of 3,550 kilometers,crossingHebei and Inner Mongolia,and arrived in Ejin Banner..The one-way distance from Beijing to Ejin Banner is 1,560 kilometers, with fuel costs of 1,500 yuan, and we enjoyed free highway tolls during the holiday. Along the way,Ejin Banner’sgoldenautumnpoplarbeauty,theelegantlakes of the Badain Jaran Desert,and thevastexpanse of the Kubuqi Desert’s desolate Gobi.An awe-inspiring visual feast began to unfold along the westward journey. The itinerary wasBeijing – Zhangjiakou – Jining – Hohhot – Baotou – Linhe – Shanba – Hangjinhouqi –Badain Jaran– Wuliji – Sumutu – Dalaihubu (Ejin Banner). The return trip was Dalaihubu – Sumutu – Wuliji –Badain Jaran– Hangjinhouqi – Shanba – Bayannur Wetland – Kubuqi Desert back to Beijing.
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Ejin Banner Poplar Forest:Every year in September and October, when the first autumn frost arrives, vast stretches of populus euphratica leaves turn from green to golden yellow. Under the sunlight, the golden foliage dances in the wind against the deep blue sky. The striking contrast, vivid tones, and brilliant colors are enough to render any words or descriptions pale in comparison. At such a moment, there’s only one thing to do: press the shutter on your camera without hesitation.
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Badain Jaran Desert
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Reflection Forest at Erdaoqiao, Ejin Banner
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Sunrise Viewing at Badaqiao, Ejin Banner
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People watching the sunrise at Ejin Banner on October 3, 2013
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Ceke Port
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One of Ejin Banner’s attractions – Ghost Forest
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Khara-Khoto (Black City) in Ejin Banner
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On the banks of the Heihe River
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Kubuqi Desert
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Bayannur Wetland
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Day 1
Beijing – Zhangjiakou – Jining – Hohhot – Baotou – Linhe – Shanba (980 km).
5:30 Depart from home, arrive at the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Expressway entrance (Qinghe Toll Station) at 15:40, reset the odometer.
8:30 Arrive at Kangzhuang Toll Station (city boundary), 60 km.
9:18 Refuel 140 yuan at Dongyanghe Service Area
11:17 Dongyanghe Toll Station
11:50 Arrive at Xinghe Toll Station (Inner Mongolia–Hebei border).
15:20 Hasuh River Service Area (refuel 180 yuan)
20:05 Exit the expressway at Linhe New District, 918 km.
20:40 Check in at Shanba Bayun Hotel (standard room 110 yuan, fully equipped, clean, with computer and internet access)
Day 2
Shanba, Linhe – Hangjinhouqi – Wuliji – Sumutu – Dalaihubu (Ejin Banner)
7:00 Refuel at the gas station in front of Shanba Bayun Hotel
9:00 Ren Genfeng Scenic Area (police vehicle interval driving time limit notice card and safety advisory card)
9:46 Badain Jaran Desert
12:15 Wuliji
12:30 Shar Temple
15:00 Sumutu
18:23 Arrive at Dalaihubu (refuel 280 yuan)
(Pay close attention to speed limit signs along the way indicating 70 km/h or lower and slow down accordingly—otherwise it can be very dangerous.) From Wuliji–Sumutu–Ejina (the entire route has a speed limit of 100 km/h).
Day 3
Dalaihubu – Erdaoqiao – Badaoqiao – Swan Lake – Sandaoqiao – Qidaoqiao – Dalaihubu – Sacred Tree – Ceke Port – Juyanhai – Dalaihubu – Black River Bank (camping by the Black River)
5:00 AM – Wake up
5:30 AM – Enter the scenic area
6:08 AM – Arrive at Badaoqiao to watch the sunrise
6:40 AM – Visit Sandaoqiao
10:24 AM – Erdaoqiao Scenic Area
12:40 PM – Depart from Dalaihubu
1:10 PM – Sacred Tree
3:00 PM – Ceke Port
3:40 PM – Juyanhai
6:00 PM – Dalaihubu
6:40 PM – Camp by the Black River bank
Scenic spots along the way
Key highlights include the golden populus euphratica trees at bridges two and four, the vastness of the Badain Jaran Desert at Badaoqiao, revisiting the history of the Torghut people at Prince Ta’s Mansion, and the water-edge populus euphratica trees bathed in morning light—these offer far more than just awe.
Day 4
Black River Bank – Khara-Khoto – Ghost Forest – Dalate Town – Erdaoqiao – Badaoqiao – Swan Lake
Precautions
1. From Linhe–Hangjinhouqi–Wuliji, pay close attention to speed limit signs indicating 70 km/h or lower and slow down accordingly—otherwise it can be very dangerous, as some areas have sharp turns right after reaching the hilltop, and sometimes there’s sand on the road. There were five vehicle accidents along the way, with many caused by drivers ignoring the warnings. Police mostly issue advisories for safety.
2. During the National Day holiday period, there are many visitors, and Dalaihubu’s reception capacity is almost at its limit, especially when it comes to meals.
3. Ejin Populus Euphratica Forest (ticket: 170 RMB) (Bridges two and four both offer great scenery, perfect for taking photos at dawn and dusk). Badaoqiao Desert offers the best lighting for photos around 6:00 PM. Sacred Tree (ticket: 20 RMB), Juyanhai (ticket: 95 RMB), Ceke Port (ticket: 20 RMB), Khara-Khoto, and Ghost Forest have a combined ticket price of 115 RMB.
The following is "Illustrated Ejin"
Day 1
October 1, 2013 – Beijing Section of the Jingzang Expressway
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Traffic jam begins on the Badaling section of the Jingzang Expressway, divert to auxiliary road near Nankou
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View the traffic situation on the Badaling section from the auxiliary road
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Re-enter the expressway after passing Juyongguan
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Refuel at Xiayuanhu Service Area
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Arrive at Linhe New District, Shanba
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Check-in at Bayun Hotel
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Shanba Town in the early morning of the second day
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The photos are being sorted out... More exciting content coming soon