Xinjiang: Desert Poplars of Luobu Hu, Oct 2024

Populus euphratica is an ancient tree species of the Tertiary period that grows in the world’s arid desert riverbanks hence lending the name “king of the desert.”  Populus euphratica is called “Toklak” in Uyghur which translates to “the most beautiful tree”.  Most of the world’s populus euphratica are concentrated in China with 90% of those in the Tarim River Basin of Xinjiang.  This type of tree has an amazing ability to resist drought, wind, sand, and salt, surviving in extremely dry and cold areas.  There is an old Chinese saying to praise these ancient trees for being abl to “live a thousand years, then stand a thousand years after death, and remain imperishable for another thousand years.”  The best time to see these beautiful trees is from October 20 to early November as they change from dark green to golden yellow blending harmoniously with the golden sands of the desert along the crystal blue Tarim River.  Second spot we visited to capture the surreal populus euphratica forest was Luobu Hu (罗布湖) in Yuli County (尉犁县) where the 31st Regiment (31团胡楊林) can be found.  We arrived the pier early in the morning to board a boat out to the island to set up and wait for the light.

Luobu Hu (罗布湖)

Luobu Hu (罗布湖)

Luobu Hu (罗布湖)

Luobu Hu (罗布湖)

Luobu Hu (罗布湖)

Luobu Hu (罗布湖)

Luobu Hu (罗布湖)

Luobu Hu (罗布湖)

Luobu Hu (罗布湖)

Luobu Hu (罗布湖)

Luobu Hu (罗布湖)

Luobu Hu (罗布湖)

Luobu Hu (罗布湖)

Luobu Hu (罗布湖)

Luobu Hu (罗布湖)

Next post will be on the desert polars of Luntai.  Stay tuned!

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