6 Days Inner Mongolia Tour Golden Autumn Tour: Populus Euphratica Forest of Ejinaqi and Gansu Jinta

Attractions: Rainbow Mountains, Jinta Populus Euphratica Forest
Meals: B
Hotel: in Jiuquan
Drive: 250km/4hrs

After breakfast in hotel, you will go to visit Zhangye Rainbow Mountains, located in Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, the most typical arid area of northern China. Ribbons of reds, oranges and yellows slice through the rock, to create a rainbow vista contained only by the contours of the jagged mountain peaks. Many people also call it "Rainbow Mountain".

In the afternoon, we go to visit Jinta Populus Euphratica Forest, which is located in Chaohu Forest Farm west of Jinta County, Jiuquan City, Gansu Province. It is a part of the three North Shelterbelt System. There are tens of thousands of mu of artificial Populus euphratica forest. There are a large area of Elaeagnus angustifolia, poplar, red willow and other unique tree species in the northwest. The Populus euphratica forest is densely distributed, grows well, ranks the first in the province, and has great tourism development value. It will be more well known in the near future. The green leaves of Populus euphratica in golden autumn and October, some of which have turned yellow, are as bright as sunshine under the blue sky and in the barren desert. Jinbo lake is rippling, Populus euphratica forest is dazzling, Elaeagnus angustifolia flowers smell fragrant, there are many kinds of wild animals, red willows are drunk in autumn, reeds and white flowers are blowing cold, the beach is soft and the sun is charming. It is a tourist attraction integrating ecological afforestation, wind prevention and sand fixation, catering and entertainment, leisure and vacation, photography creation and sightseeing. It is rated as one of the most beautiful places in autumn in Gansu Province. After the tour, stay in Jiuquan.

Meals: B
Hotel: in Ejinaqi
Drive: 400km/6hrs

Today leave Jiuquan at 6 a.m. and drive to Ejina. Arrive at the Heicheng Strange Forest at noon. Start to visit Heicheng Ruins, which is located in the Gobi Desert about 25 kilometers southeast of dalaihubu town. It was founded in the Xixia period, when the Xixia Dynasty set up the "Yan Army Department in Heishui town". In 1286 AD, Kublai Khan, the emperor of the Yuan Dynasty, expanded the city and set up "Yiji Nai road manager's house". Heicheng is 470 meters long from east to west and 384 meters wide from north to south, with a total area of 180500 square meters. Although it has gone through more than 700 years, the Heicheng is still tall and magnificent. It is the most well preserved ancient city site at north of the "ancient Silk Road". A large number of cultural relics have been unearthed here, including the Pearl in the palm of the pan and Han Dynasties in the Xixia Dynasty, the painted double headed Buddha and the paper money of the Yuan Dynasty.

Then go to the Populus euphratica cemetery Strange Forest to see the sunset silhouette. The Strange Forest is located in the 28km in the southwest of Ejinaqi. Due to the excessive water use in the upper reaches of Heihe River in the early 1990s, the groundwater level in the lower reaches decreased, reaching 2000 mu of dead Populus euphratica, which is locally called the tomb of Populus euphratica. Its corrosion resistance makes it stand upright in the Gobi desert in the most primitive style, and it always looks like a ferocious and terrible atmosphere.

Meals: B
Hotel: in Ejinaqi

Get up early and take a bus to visit Yidao Bridge to Badao Bridge in Populus Euphratica Forest Scenic Area. Bring your own lunch. Populus Euphratica Forest in Ejinaqi is the most famous Populus euphratica forest in China. It has become a spiritual symbol. Its rise and fall is related to the quality of human living environment. Populus euphratica forest in Ejinaqi mainly grows in Ejina river basin where black water and white water converge. It is divided in the name of eight bridges on the river. Each bridge is surrounded by Populus euphratica, but the scenery is different. The first and second bridges have water, which is characterized by reflection; The third  bridge is characterized by the red willow sea; Only the eighth bridge is characterized by desert scenery. Enjoy watching and shooting the sunrise at eight bridges. Visit the beauty of Populus euphratica forest all day.

Meals: B
Hotel: in Zhangye

Get up early today to see the magical Lake Juyanhai Lake the desert and enjoy the spectacular sunrise. Juyanhai Lake was called "weak water" in ancient times. There are many legends about it. "Juyan" is a Xixia language, which means "flowing desert". As early as 3000 years ago, Juyan area was a "paradise" for nomads with abundant water and grass and cattle and sheep everywhere. With the historical changes, the Juyanhai lake gradually dried up due to the decrease of the water injected into the lake by Ejina River, the main supply water source. What followed was that the vast Juyan oasis was completely desertification, a large area of Populus euphratica forest died, and the dim yellow scene of "wind rising and dust flying" was everywhere. Finally, due to the ecological and environmental protection of Ejinaqi, the Heishui river began to flow into the dry Juyanhai Lake. With the replenishment of water year after year, it gradually restored the once vibrant scene of desert oasis. Return to Zhangye after sunrise.

Meals: B
Hotel: No

Today, we will see you off in the airport or train station and wish you happy safe journey back home. Welcome to travel with us again for your next adventure.