Top 6 Attractions in Ejin Banner - Things to Do in Ejina

Populus Euphratica with Beautiful Reflection in the Second Bridge

Desert View of the Eighth Bridge

• Type: Historical & Natural Sites, Forests
• Recommended Visiting Time: 1~2 Days
• Best Seasons: Late September to Middle October
• Address: Dalaihob Town, Ejina Banner, Alxa League, Inner Mongolia (内蒙古自治区阿拉善盟额济纳旗达来呼布镇), about 2.5 km to the town center

Without the Populus euphratica forest, there would be no oasis. Without oasis, there would be no survival and development of human beings. Populus euphratica is closely related to the life here and is highly cherished by people.

As one of the three largest Populus euphratica forests in the world, Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest covers an area of 300 square kilometers. In summer, the green leaves of Populus euphratica seem wearing verdant crowns. In autumn, especially from late-September to mid-October, the golden color of the forest under the blue sky and in the vast desert makes Ejina a paradise for photographers and sightseers. Annual Populus Euphratica Festival is taken place in early October as well.

In the scenic area of Ejina Populus Euphratica, there are eight spots named from the First Bridge to Eighth Bridge. The biggest highlights are the Second Bridge, the Fourth Bridge, the Seventh Bridge and the Eighth Bridge. The Second Bridge features in a primitive style with waterways, yurts and sand dunes. Many photographers come there to shoot the refection of the Populus euphratica. The Fourth Bridge is one shooting location of the famous Chinese film – Hero and many travelers visit to view the Hero Tree here. The Seventh Bridge is a dreamland forest where lots of younger Populus euphratica trees can be enjoyed. Combining the splendor of Populus euphratica and desert landscape, the Eighth Bridge offers quite a distinctive view.

Featured Populus Euphratica Trunk in Strange Forest

Strange Forest Sunset

• Type: Historical & Natural Sites, Forests
• Recommended Visiting Time: 2~3 hours
• Best Seasons: May ~ October
• Address: Dalaihob Town, Ejina Banner, Alxa League, Inner Mongolia (内蒙古自治区阿拉善盟额济纳旗达来呼布镇), 27 km (about 40 minutes’ drive) to the center of the town and Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest

In fact, Strange Forest is a vast area with numerous dead Populus euphratica. Populus euphratica is a preculiar tree species with strong vitality. Though the trees were dead, their bodies with black trunks and branches in different postures still stand firmly on the Gobi desert. Remember to visit Strange Forest at nightfall and treat your eyes with the unique view of spectacular sunset. Against the background of the setting sun, there is a feeling of tragic and majestic.

There is a moving story about the Heicheng City and Strange Forest. According to legend, there was a general named Harabatel (Black) in old Heicheng (Black City). General Back was well-known for his vigour, wisdom, loyalty and strategy of fighting. In one war, the tricky enemy invaded the Back City and cut off the source of water. In the predicament that there was no reinforcements and drinking water, General Black led his troops to break through. They had fought for several days and finally died in Strange Forest which is not far from the city. The local people believe that the immortal souls of the Black General still linger in the forest and protect them.

Juyan Lake Sunrise

Birds in Juyan Lake

• Type: Historical & Natural Sites, Grasslands, Lakes
• Recommended Visiting Time: 2~3 hours
• Best Seasons:May ~ October
• Address: Dalaihob Town, Ejina Banner, Alxa League, Inner Mongolia (内蒙古自治区阿拉善盟额济纳旗达来呼布镇), 60 km (about 1 hour’s drive) to the center of the town and Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest

Literally meaning lake of heaven, Juyan Lake is named after Juyan tribe. In ancient times, Juyan Lake was one of the largest lakes in northwestern China. Affected by the weak water replenishment, Juyan Lake’s area changes irregularly. So many people think it is a magical wandering lake. In late spring (May), Many birds will gather on the lake, waiting for tourists to feed. In summer (June ~ August), the grass in Juyan Lake becomes luxuriant, the birds fly to and fro and the llama roam in the grassland, making people unwilling to leave. The autumn view is enjoyable as well. You are able to admire the yellow grass and reeds under the blue sky. What’s more, Juyanhai is the most beautiful place in Ejin Banner to watch the sunrise. When the sun rises from the east, the warm sunlight will shine on the sparkling lake. In order to watch an astonishing sunrise, you have wake up early and drive about 1 hour to Juyan Lake from Dalaihob Town.

As a historical part of the Hexi Corridor, Juyan Lake Basin played a significant role in ancient times. It once was a supply point for the northwest garrison and a means of rejecting this prosperous region from the nomads in the north. For history lovers, Juyan Lake is a wonderful site to probe into the old history.

Pogodas in Heicheng Historic Site

Ruins in Heicheng Historic Site

• Type: Historical Sites, Ruins
• Opening Hours: 07:00-17:00 in April - October / 08:00-14:00 in November - Next March
• Recommended Visiting Time: 2 hours
• Best Seasons: May ~ October
• Address: Dalaihob Town, Ejina Banner, Alxa League, Inner Mongolia (内蒙古自治区阿拉善盟额济纳旗达来呼布镇)

Heishui City was an important frontier fortress in the Xixia Dynasty (1038~1227) and an important post in the Hexi Corridor. Some people also thought it was the ancient capital of Xixia. As Heishui River passed this city, it was called Heishui City, also known as Heicheng (Black City). The ancient city wall of Heicheng was about 240 meters long on each side. Later in the Yuan Dynasty (1271~1368), Heishui City was occupied by the Mongolian army led by Genhis Khan and then the city wall expanded to 284 meters from north to south, 435 meters from east to west, and one gate on each side. The former Heishui City was full of beautiful water plants, rivers and lake. However, it was gradually surrounded by wind and sand, and finally submerged under the endless yellow sand. Till today, only the ruins of Heicheng Historic Site was a solitary city remnant in the sand sea.

As an important part of Juyan Culture, Heicheng Historic Site enjoys high archaeological value now. To the southwest of the city, there is still an ancient church with a relatively complete appearance. Among them, the chapel is in the dome style, and the roof and walls are the same as the current Islamic chapel. There is a bowl-covered tower on the northwest corner of the city wall, with a remaining height of 12 meters, which can be seen from the desert 10 kilometers away. Outside the city, not far from the big earth tower, there are two groups of earth towers with only the remaining foundations. The important value of Heicheng lies not only in its appearance, but also in the precious cultural relics buried in it. Archaeological experts have unearthed many valuable cultural relics in it.

Ruoshui Popolus Euphratica on the Bank of Ruoshui River

Ruoshui Popolus Euphratica Trees

• Type: Forests, Rivers
• Recommended Visiting Time: 2 hours
• Best Seasons: May ~ October
• Address: Dalaihob Town, Ejina Banner, Alxa League, Inner Mongolia (内蒙古自治区阿拉善盟额济纳旗达来呼布镇)

Ruoshui Populus Euphratica Forest is a recently developed scenic spot, located on both sides of the upper reaches of Ruoshui River. Because of the famous Chinese words that No matter how much Ruoshui (water) there is, I just take on scoop which shows the loyalty to love, many travelers visit Ruoshui Populus Euphratica Forest with their spouses. In fact the word “Ruoshui” has nothing to do with Ruoshui River. However, Ruoshui Populus Euphratica Forest is still a beautiful place worthy of your visit. It closely combines the natural beauty of the desert, the river and the Populus euphratica. Besides, it is less-crowded compared with Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest.

In the tourist walking area on the west bank of the Ruoshui River, you can find a distinctive landscape: the most beautiful reflection of Populus Euphratica, the largest tree trunk and the largest leaf. The line of Populus euphratica by the lake are all reflected in the lake. Walking into the forest and looking up, the vast sky is blue like a thick flannel for painting and the Populus euphratica forest is painted on the flannel.

There are other plants in the forest except Populus euphratica, including Tamarisk, Haloxylon ammodendron, Achnatherum splendens, Populus euphratica is golden, tamarisk red, and Achnatherum splendens becomes white after withered. The forest is colorful and beautiful.

Ejina Museum Appearance

Ejina Museum Exhibition

• Type:Forests, Rivers
• Recommended Visiting Time: 2 hours
• Best Seasons: May ~ October
• Address: Dalaihob Town, Ejina Banner, Alxa League, Inner Mongolia (内蒙古自治区阿拉善盟额济纳旗达来呼布镇)

Ejina Museum is a multifunctional modern museum that records the natural environment, social, cultural and historical changes in Ejina. In spite of its small scale, this museum takes advantages of the exhibitions, scene simulation, sound and light to exhibit Ejina in different aspects. It has a building area of 10,000 square meters and an exhibition area of more than 3,000 square meters. There are 6 conventional exhibition halls including Mysterious Wonders, Juyan Spring and Autumn, Heishui Liulan, Ethnic Customs, Desert Sunrise, and Flying to the universe. In order to further enrich the collection in the museum, the museum staff recently added ironware, stoneware, and porcelain on the original basis. At the same time, they also added household products produced by residents in the Juyan area during the Han Dynasty and the Xixia Dynasty and Yuan Dynasty. If you want to get better understanding of the past of Ejin Banner, Ejina museum is an informative place to visit.