Badain Jaran Desert & Ejina Populus Euphratica Crossing

Enter from Yinchuan and exit from Jiayuguan, traverse Alxa, venture deep into the desert, and catch the golden autumn Populus Euphratica in Ejina.

An autumn photography route in the Northwest, running only in October. Cross the Helan Mountains from Yinchuan to Badain Jaran, switch to an off-road vehicle to stay at Miao Haizi, then cross the Gobi Desert to Ejina to view the Populus Euphratica for two days, and finally head to Jiayuguan via Jinta. Desert accommodation is basic, and Gobi sections can easily span hundreds of kilometers. It is a point-to-point route with no backtracking but is physically demanding; chartering a car and traveling with a qualified fleet is recommended.

The Populus Euphratica leaves turn golden around early-to-mid October, fluctuating with temperature drops; accommodation must be booked well in advance.

Day by day

Day 1 · Assemble in Yinchuan & Visit the Museum

Yinchuan（Ningxia Museum）

It takes about half an hour from the airport to the city center. Visit the Ningxia Museum in the afternoon, and confirm the itinerary and documents with the fleet.

Stay: Jinfeng District · Ningxia Museum

Day 2 · Cross Helan Mountains & Traverse Alxa

Alxa Left Banner（Dingyuanying Ancient Town） → Badain Jaran Desert (Alxa Right Banner)（Badan Lake）

Drive from Yinchuan via Alxa Left Banner along the desert highway to the Badain Lake area, about 500 km in total, taking 7 to 8 hours.

The only brief stop is at Left Banner; there are few gas stations along the way.

Stay: Badain Jaran Town

Day 3 · Switch to Off-Road Vehicles into the Desert

Badain Jaran Desert (Alxa Right Banner)（Nuoertu Lake、Yindeertu Spring、Badain Jaran Temple & Miaohaizi Lake）

Switch to a 4WD vehicle at Badain Lake to enter the desert interior, driving about 60 km on sandy tracks to Miao Haizi, taking around 3 hours.

Do not enter without a 4WD vehicle; camp conditions are basic, so bring windproof and warm clothing.

Stay: Miaohaizi Desert Camp

Day 4 · Bilutu Sunrise to Ejina

Badain Jaran Desert (Alxa Right Banner)（Bilutu Peak、Haisenchulu Rock Forest）

Watch the sunrise over the sand peaks in the early morning, exit the desert, and drive through the Gobi Desert via the Weird Stone Forest to Dalaihubu, taking about 7 hours.

The Gobi section has long stretches of uninhabited areas; fill up your tank immediately after exiting the desert.

Stay: Dalai Hubu Town

Day 5 · Heicheng & Weird Forest Sunset

Ejin (Ejina)（Damo Populus Euphratica Forest、Khara-Khoto Ruins、Weird Forest (Dead Populus Forest)）

Visit the Desert Populus Euphratica Forest in the morning, head to the Heicheng area in the afternoon, and stay until dusk to watch the sunset, taking about 2 hours in total for the day.

Distinguish between the replica ancient town and the actual Heicheng Ruins, and leave enough time to reach the Weird Forest.

Stay: Dalai Hubu Town

Day 6 · From the 1st Bridge to the 8th Bridge

Ejin (Ejina)（Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest (Bridges 1 & 7)、Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest (Bridges 2-4)、Badao Bridge & Badain Jaran Desert）

Take the scenic area shuttle bus from the 1st Bridge to the 8th Bridge; shoot reflections at the 2nd Bridge and watch the desert sunset at the 8th Bridge.

The light is good in the afternoon, and the 2nd Bridge is ideal for shooting reflections by the water; use only the shuttle buses inside the scenic area.

Stay: Dalai Hubu Town

Day 7 · Juyan Lake Sunrise to Jiayuguan

Ejin (Ejina)（Juyan Lake） → Jiayuguan（Jinta Desert Populus Euphratica Forest）

Travel to Juyan Lake before dawn, taking about 1 hour, then head to Jiayuguan via Aerospace Town and Jinta, taking about 6 to 7 hours for the day.

It is very cold before sunrise at Juyan Lake, so prepare a down jacket; you will arrive in Jiayuguan around 7:00 PM.

Stay: Xinhua Road · Xiongguan Square

Day 8 · The Pass City & Overhanging Great Wall

Jiayuguan（Jiayuguan Fort、Overhanging Great Wall）

It takes about 15 minutes from the city center to the Pass City, and another 20 minutes to the Overhanging Great Wall; head to the station or airport after noon.

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