Luntai County (轮台) houses the largest and most concentrated area of Xinjiang’s populus euphratica or desert poplars. 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. 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. People usually flock to the Tarim Populus Euphratica National Forest Park lauded as one of the “Top Ten Most Beautiful Forest Parks in China” by China National Geographic magazine. But instead of going to the park where we were told that the leaves of the desert poplars have not yet turned golden, we visited Caohu along Tarim River 草湖鄉塔河秘景, an area that will soon be developed into a tourist spot. There is a high observation tower, though a bit rickety, offering views of the golden desert poplars as far as the eye can see. You can also enter the forests and be surrounded by these beautiful golden trees. We stayed overnight at Xin Haoyuan Hotel 鑫豪源酒店 in Luntai.
Xin Haoyuan Hotel 鑫豪源酒店
Observation tower offering views of the golden desert poplars as far as the eye can see.
Caohu along Tarim River 草湖鄉塔河秘景
Caohu along Tarim River 草湖鄉塔河秘景
Caohu along Tarim River 草湖鄉塔河秘景
Caohu along Tarim River 草湖鄉塔河秘景
Caohu along Tarim River 草湖鄉塔河秘景
Caohu along Tarim River 草湖鄉塔河秘景
Caohu along Tarim River 草湖鄉塔河秘景
Caohu along Tarim River 草湖鄉塔河秘景
Caohu along Tarim River 草湖鄉塔河秘景
Caohu along Tarim River 草湖鄉塔河秘景
Caohu along Tarim River 草湖鄉塔河秘景
First time seeing cotton on a branch…
Toilet in the middle of the forest
Caohu along Tarim River 草湖鄉塔河秘景
Caohu along Tarim River 草湖鄉塔河秘景
Caohu along Tarim River 草湖鄉塔河秘景
Caohu along Tarim River 草湖鄉塔河秘景
Caohu along Tarim River 草湖鄉塔河秘景
On the right are grass grid sand barriers 草方格沙障, a sand control method that prevents wind, fixes sand, and conserves water. Wheat straw, reeds, and other materials are used to form a grid shape in the desert. This is a common way to reclaim desert land.
Next post will be our adventure in search of the desert poplars in the relatively unknown Kuqa canyon. Stay tuned!
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