Tarim Poplar Forest National Forest Park in Bayingolin

Tarim Poplar Forest National Forest Park is located in southern Luntai County, Bayingol Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, along the banks of the Tarim River and close to the northern edge of the Taklamakan Desert. About 70 kilometers from Luntai County town, the park lies directly beside the Desert Highway and is a National 4A Tourist Attraction. Covering approximately 100 square kilometers of forested sightseeing area, it is known as one of the world's largest and best-preserved natural Populus euphratica forests.

The Tarim River nourishes this vast forest, creating a remarkable landscape where Populus euphratica, rivers, wetlands, shifting dunes, and desert oilfield scenery exist side by side. The famous Populus euphratica trees—often described as being “alive for a thousand years, standing for a thousand years after death, and remaining undecayed for another thousand years after falling”—are particularly concentrated here. The park is one of the signature natural destinations along the southern Xinjiang Desert Highway and a popular stop for self-driving travelers.

Many visitors combine the park with the Luntai Museum on the same day: spend the morning learning about the history of Luntai and the Western Regions, then head south in the afternoon to experience the spectacular Populus euphratica forests and desert landscape.

Main Attractions and Highlights

A 17-kilometer scenic road winds through dense Populus euphratica woodland. Along the route, the trees appear in many different forms: some have lush, spreading branches, while others have withered trunks that remain standing, vividly demonstrating the remarkable resilience of this desert species.

The vintage sightseeing train is one of the park's signature experiences. Its 13.4-kilometer circular railway winds through the golden Populus euphratica forest, passing lakeshores and wetlands along the way. It is particularly popular with photographers who want to experience the forest without driving and capture different views of the landscape.

The 24-meter-high observation tower provides the park's best panoramic viewpoint. From the top, you can look across the seemingly endless Populus euphratica forest, follow the winding Tarim River, and see the rolling dunes of the Taklamakan Desert in the distance. The viewpoint offers an impressive panorama of the dramatic transition between oasis and desert.

Thousand-Bird Lake (千鸟湖) features a distinctive water-and-forest landscape. The calm surface reflects the trunks of the surrounding Populus euphratica trees, while waterbirds often gather here in the early morning, creating a peaceful and photogenic scene.

The Ancient Tarim River Ferry Crossing preserves the atmosphere of an old river crossing. A wooden boardwalk along the river allows visitors to walk through the forest and observe the Populus euphratica trees growing beside the water from close range.

In addition to the forest itself, visitors may occasionally encounter wildlife such as red deer, Tarim hares, and goitered gazelles within the park.

Tickets and Opening Information

The scenic area charges a main entrance ticket. Students and visitors aged 60–64 receive a half-price discount on the entrance ticket, while visitors aged 65 and above and children under 1.3 meters are exempt from the main entrance ticket.

Visitors can either take the scenic-area shuttle bus into the park or pay an additional fee to drive a five-seat private car into the forest area. The sightseeing train and observation tower are separate paid experiences.

During the peak season, the park is open from 09:00 to 20:00, with admission ending one hour before closing. Opening hours are shortened during winter.

For a complete visit combining the forest, observation tower, and sightseeing train, allow approximately 4–5 hours. If you simply drive along the main scenic road and stop at the key viewpoints for photographs, around 2 hours is sufficient.

The forest is a key fire-prevention area, so open flames and smoking are strictly prohibited. The desert environment has strong UV radiation and frequent wind and sand, so bring adequate sun protection. Day-night temperature differences can also be substantial, making a thick jacket advisable. Do not leave the main roads or wooden boardwalks to explore the remote desert on your own. Climbing or damaging Populus euphratica trees is prohibited, and visitors should help protect the native desert vegetation. Mobile phone reception can be weak in some parts of the forest, so avoid walking far away from your group alone.

How to Get There

Self-driving and private chartered vehicles are the most convenient ways to reach the park. From Luntai County town, drive south along the Desert Highway for approximately one hour to reach the scenic area. A large parking lot is available at the entrance.

From Korla, the drive takes approximately 3 hours. There are also tourist shuttle buses running between Luntai County town and the scenic area, but services are limited and offer less flexibility. There is no regular public transportation directly to the park.

A recommended itinerary is Luntai Museum → Tarim Poplar Forest National Forest Park. After exploring the forest, travelers can continue south along the Desert Highway toward the interior of the Taklamakan Desert.

For long-distance self-driving trips, make sure your vehicle has enough fuel before departure, as refueling and other supplies are limited along the Desert Highway.

Best Time to Visit

The scenery changes dramatically throughout the year, but mid-October to early November is the peak period for golden Populus euphratica foliage, making it the best window for photography. In summer, the trees are predominantly green, offering a different view of the vitality of an oasis surrounded by desert.

The one to two hours before sunrise and sunset provide particularly beautiful side lighting, which emphasizes the textures of the tree trunks and enhances reflections on the water.

Travelers with limited time or stamina can drive along the main scenic road and stop at the designated viewpoints for photographs. If you have more time, taking the sightseeing train is recommended for a deeper experience of the forest.

Travel Tips

There are relatively few dining options inside the scenic area, so bring enough drinking water in advance. During the peak autumn season, visitor numbers can be high. Entering early in the morning is recommended to enjoy quieter conditions and avoid the afternoon peak when organized tour groups arrive.

The park combines forest, wetland, river, desert, and oilfield landscapes in a relatively compact area, making it one of the most distinctive natural stops on the southern Xinjiang Desert Highway. For travelers following a route through Luntai, the Tarim River region, and the Taklamakan Desert, it is particularly worthwhile to allow enough time for both the scenic road and the golden Populus euphratica forest.