Southern Xinjiang Poplar Forest Photography Tour, Traversing Mars-like Eboliang (Oct 28 - Nov 9, 2020)

D1. Oct 28, 2020 Shanghai-Urumqi

Checked into Xinjiang Kunlun Hotel.

The well-known No. 2 Bus Station is right across from it. This hotel used to be the tallest building in Xinjiang, so it served as a landmark.

D2. Oct 29, 2020 Urumqi-Korla

Today we will cross the Tianshan Mountains, a journey of about seven hours. A road splits the Tianshan into two halves; our off-road vehicle traverses between them, with towering mountains on both sides. Large trucks heading north and south travel through the mountains, supplying various goods to the people of both regions. The highway scenery is captivating, and we were excited all the way.

D3. Korla-Yiqikelike-Luntai (Oct 30, 2020)

Cityscape of Korla: the Peacock River flows through the city.

Statue of Mr. Peng Jiamu.

Yiqikelike is located at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains, more than 100 kilometers northeast of Kuqa County in southern Xinjiang. Its beauty lies in the wild Danxia landform of huge rocks, with rugged shapes, bold and unrestrained.

Yiqikelike is also the place where oil was first discovered in China, and it was also the first place to be abandoned after being fully exploited.

En route, we encountered a wild poplar forest, extremely yellow.

Heading to the scenic area Luntai Tarim Poplar Forest Park. Due to water shortage, it was already mostly withered when we arrived, not as beautiful as the wild poplar forest we saw on the way. The small train that normally runs was also closed due to the pandemic. The advantage was that our own car could drive directly in.

D4. Luntai-Caohu-Yuli (Oct 31, 2020)

Along the Tarim Lake, we officially began viewing the legendary poplar trees that stand for a thousand years, remain upright even after falling for a thousand years, and survive death for a thousand years without rotting.

90% of China's poplar forests are distributed in the northern end of the Taklamakan Desert, in the Tarim Lake region.

The cycle of life, endless regeneration.

Poplar trees in various shapes and forms, diverse and strange.

We stopped the vehicle anytime to take photos; scenery was everywhere along the road. We enjoyed and photographed all the way, fully appreciating the beauty of nature.

Whether it looks like a dog or a sheep is up to your imagination.

We encountered a large migration of desert sheep. Thousands of sheep marched in a vast procession, raising clouds of dust, like mist and smoke.

D5. Yuli-Huludao (Nov 1, 2020)

Today we entered the heart of the Tarim River, the Xinjiang 33rd Regiment Poplar Forest area. Because there is river water here, the poplar trees wither later than elsewhere, and they are extremely beautiful, truly stunning. It is very difficult to enter Huludao, so few people come, and nature retains its original appearance.

Desert poplar forest at Huludao in Yuli.

Under the glow of sunset, the desert appears golden.

The yurt we stayed in tonight.

After sunset, the moon was reflected in the water.

D6. Hulu Island-Taitemate-Kanglak Lake-Ruoqiang

Hulu Island in the morning sunlight.

Leaving Hulu Island, we passed the world's longest brick-built highway, which has successfully applied for a Guinness World Record. 60 million bricks, 2000 workers, seven years of construction, over 100 kilometers long, 7 meters wide, with a speed limit of over 80 km/h.

Encountered a desert fox; its two front teeth looked very sharp.

Visited the Loulan Museum, which contains beautiful mummies; didn't dare to include photos.

Ruoqiang rock paintings, discovered in the Altun Mountains.

Crossed the Altun Mountains all the way, arriving at Mangya in Qinghai from Xinjiang.

D8. Huatugou-Eye of the Demon-Jade Lake-Huatugou (Nov 4, 2020)

Headed to the Eye of the Demon - Aiken Spring.

The Eye of the Demon cannot be photographed without a drone; attached two drone shots.

Headed to Jade Lake.

Scenic spots under the drone, a panoramic view.

The sky showed a gradient color.

First time shooting the starry sky; the star trails were a bit smeared.

D9. Huatugou Town-Mars Camp-Eboliang Devil City-Lenghu (Nov 5, 2020)

Cucumber Ridge beside G315 National Highway, elevation 2980 meters. Passing by, you can't miss it. It feels like the uncanny workmanship of nature.

Entered Mars Camp. It is China's first Mars simulation base.

We are about to enter the core area of Eboliang Devil City, a truly roadless, signal-less, uninhabited area.

Barren uninhabited area.

When there are people, you feel color and warmth.

Eboliang under the setting sun.

D10. Lenghu-Dangjinshan Pass-Dunhuang (Nov 6, 2020)

Crossed Dangjinshan Pass.

Dunhuang Villa facing Mingsha Mountain had an incredibly beautiful sunset glow.

D11. Dunhuang (Nov 7, 2020)

Dunhuang murals, vivid and lifelike.

The Dunhuang Academy's predecessor was the National Dunhuang Art Research Institute established in 1944, reorganized into the Dunhuang Cultural Relics Research Institute in 1950, and expanded into the Dunhuang Academy in 1984.

D12. Dunhuang-Guazhou-Dunhuang (Nov 8, 2020)

Child of the Earth. It depicts the serene expression of a child lying in the mother's embrace.

Yulin Grottoes, also known as Wanfo Gorge, Yulin Temple, Shangdongzi, located 70 km south of Guazhou County (formerly Anxi County) in Gansu Province, under the jurisdiction of the Dunhuang Academy. The caves are carved into the east and west cliffs on both sides of the Yulin River canyon, named for the dense elm trees along the riverbank.

Because it is far from Dunhuang, about 2 hours by car, fewer visitors come, making it exceptionally quiet. It feels like meditating here would put you in the zone more easily.

Crescent Moon Spring at Mingsha Mountain under sunset.

D13. Dunhuang-Lanzhou-Shanghai (Nov 9, 2020)

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we flew out of Dunhuang back to Shanghai, ending this pleasant trip.

The beautiful scenery along the way is unforgettable, looking forward to the next poetic journey to distant lands.