Strange woods

Populus euphratica is the earliest group of trees, and it is the "living fossil" of plants. The main root of a Populus euphratica can cross the stratum for more than 100 meters.

"To live but not to die for a thousand years, to die but not to fall for a thousand years, and to fall but not to die for a thousand years" is the life portrayal of Populus euphratica.

The dense Populus euphratica is full of strange things, with a myriad of looks. Walking in the rich Populus euphratica forest, it seems to enter a mythical fairyland.

The thousand year old dead wood of Populus euphratica, shocking life landscape and good light and shadow conditions make it a paradise for photography lovers.

The scenic spot is located in arid Gobi. All year round tours should be prepared for sunscreen, windbreak and sand prevention, with good sunglasses, headscarves, lip gloss and other items.

Strange woods

The strange forest is 28 kilometers southwest of dalaihubu town in Ejina Banner. In fact, the strange forest is formed by the withering of a large area of Populus euphratica.

Historical legend

The desolate "strange forest" is said to be the immortal soul of the black general and his soldiers. According to legend, there was a general named harabater in the black city, who was brave and good at fighting and had a great reputation. Later, a large number of soldiers invaded Gongcheng and cut off the river. General Hei led his troops to break through the siege in the dilemma of no reinforcements and no drinking water. Before the battle, the black general put more than 70 carts of gold and silver treasures and a treasure of the town, Xixia crown, into the dry well of the city. In order not to make the flesh and blood of the family be ravaged by the invaders, the black general pushed a pair of his sons and daughters into the well and sealed the soil for landfill. The black general led the soldiers to rush out of the city, fighting all the way, and finally died in the strange forest not far from the west of the city.

Formation principle

Populus euphratica is a peculiar tree species with strong vitality. In modern times, due to the unreasonable development of human beings, the ecological environment on which Populus euphratica depends for survival has been greatly damaged, especially the Ejina river has been cut off, and large areas of Populus euphratica forests along the two sides of the river have withered due to lack of water. Due to the unique anti-corrosion characteristics of Populus euphratica, a large number of dead Populus euphratica trunks still stand upright on the Gobi desert, forming a sad landscape with strange shape.

Populus euphratica is called "Tao Lai" in Mongolian. It is a deciduous tree with fine and soft wood and wide and clear leaves. It is one of the rare tree species in nature. Populus euphratica forest in Ejina is one of the only three places in the world, and the protection is the most complete. The Populus euphratica, which has existed for hundreds of years, is still a miracle favored by nature.

Populus euphratica is the earliest group of trees, known as the "living fossil" of plants. The main root of a Populus euphratica can cross the stratum for more than 100 meters, "live and die for a thousand years, die and die for a thousand years, and die and die for a thousand years".

Walking in the rich Populus euphratica forest, as if into a fairyland of myth. The dense Populus euphratica is full of strange things, with a variety of looks, either tall and straight, or like a dragon leaping over, which is amazing. In late autumn, the leaves are golden, and the Populus euphratica Stands in the sand sea, which is more charming and beautiful.

Main attractions

There are Yanhai in the East and West, Yancheng in the ancient, big and small strange woods, Heicheng, hongchengzi, Shenshu, Populus euphratica forest from yidaoqiao to badaoqiao, and Ejina gaolehe River (Heihe River), which has been dried up and is abundant in water after national water diversion.

The tomb of Populus euphratica and the monument of death

In the early 1990s, the underground water level of the strange forest, located at the 28th place in the southwest of Ejina Banner, dropped due to the excessive water use in the upper reaches of the Heihe River, resulting in 2000 mu of dead Populus euphratica "corpses" everywhere, which was called the tomb of Populus euphratica locally. Because of its corrosion resistance, it stands upright in the Gobi desert with the most primitive style and looks like a ferocious and terrifying atmosphere. At the same time, it also warns people that it is urgent to protect Populus euphratica forest. After 10 years of national investment and management, Juyan oasis has gradually regained its vitality, and a large number of dead Populus euphratica forests have grown many new branches. Lament Populus euphratica far away, perhaps more should lament human beings themselves, to save Populus euphratica forest is to save human beings' own home. Now the strange forest has become an ecological monument to warn future generations.

traffic

"Strange Woods" is about 28 kilometers southwest of dalaihubu Town, the seat of Ejina Banner. You can drive to the town, but it's best to use an off-road vehicle!

matters needing attention

Life can exist with water, but it will disappear without water. This is the simplest truth. Therefore, we should all start from ourselves and cherish every drop of water on the earth!

Address: 28km southwest of dalaihubu Town, Ejina Banner, Alxa League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

Longitude: 101.02551922202

Latitude: 41.80639140275

Tour time: 1-2 hours

Traffic information: strange forest is located 28 kilometers southwest of dalaihubu Town, Ejina Banner

Arrive at the scenic spot

1. There is no public transportation from the town to the scenic spot, and the one-way charter fee is about 60 yuan (on weekdays).

2. If you charter a car from the town to the scenic area, and enter the scenic area for sightseeing (including from the strange forest to the black city), you can return to the town. The whole journey costs about 120-120 yuan (weekdays), and local drivers do not need tickets.

Sightseeing bus for National Day (currently only operated during National Day)

1. There are many shuttle buses, but there are more people. It takes physical strength to get on. The shuttle bus has two stops in queshulin and one stop in Heicheng.

2. If you get off at the "second stop" of queshulin and walk for about 10 minutes, you can get to Hongcheng.

3. There is a station in Datong City, but there are few tourists at present, because the barbed wire fence blocks the ruins outside. If you get off at this stop, you need to say hello to the driver in advance.

Ticket information: included in the ticket of black city strange forest scenic spot (120 yuan for scenic spot, 40 yuan for bus (currently only available during National Day))

Opening hours: 08:00 ~ 18:00