Discover Ejin Banner

In the area around Ejin Banner, desert landscapes, poplar forests and historical sites come together. The region’s destinations offer different highlights: some combine nature with Mongolian customs, while others represent the history of the Steppe Silk Road or offer activities during the Populus Festival. As you plan your trip, you can distinguish between these themes and consider which ones you would like to shape your stay.

Poplar Forests and Desert Landscapes

At Damo Poplar Forest Scenic Area, poplars and tamarisks meet the desert, Juyan culture and Mongolian customs. The area thus combines landscape and cultural themes. Weak Water Jinsha Bay Scenic Area has a different layout: its poplar forest landscape follows the pattern of “six lakes, two islands and seven layers of forest.” The area’s defining features also include the desert, the Ruoshui River and poplars; sunrise and sunset are among its highlighted sights, too. Both scenic areas combine poplars and desert, but differ in their described layouts and additional themes.

In the Gobi Desert, the Strange Forest’s dead poplars, with their many shapes, have stood for thousands of years. Its striking landscape and distinctive lighting effects make it a destination for photography enthusiasts. This makes it a different landscape experience from the more structured arrangement of lakes and forest layers at Jinsha Bay.

History and Cultural Heritage

The museum in Dalaihubu Town has six permanent exhibitions on Ejina’s nature and history. Heicheng offers a distinct historical highlight: the ruins lie 36 km southeast of Dalaihubu Town and are considered the most complete and largest surviving ancient city complex on the Steppe Silk Road. Heicheng was founded during the Western Xia Dynasty. Historically, it served as a vital transport route and hub between the Hexi Corridor and the northern Mongolian regions.

The site’s protected status is also part of its significance: Heicheng is classified as a nationally important cultural heritage site and is included in the Juyan Ruins protected area. The museum and ruins thus offer different ways to explore natural and regional history on the one hand, and an ancient city complex and its former transport role on the other.

Scenic Areas and Themed Attractions

Damo Poplar Forest Scenic Area is rated a national 4A scenic area and lies 2 km south of Dalaihubu Town. Weak Water Jinsha Bay Scenic Area also has a 4A rating and lies 18 km southwest of Dalaihubu Town. These distances indicate each area’s location relative to the town and distinguish the two destinations geographically. Damo Poplar Forest Scenic Area is also home to a self-drive camp that has been included on the list of national automobile self-drive sports bases.

Populus Hero Film City lies 19 km southwest of Dalaihubu Town. Its themed areas include an ancient poplar town, a yurt complex, a Mongolian camp and a film street. It thus complements the landscape and history themes with designed areas featuring a range of settings. Each of these places has its own points of interest and focus, so they cannot be reduced to a single landscape or shared historical role.

Seasonal Activities and River Landscape

During the Populus Festival, 70 households in Wulangerile Gacha take part in rural tourism activities. These include camel and horse riding, off-road vehicle trips through the sandy landscape, and food and drink services. These activities are available during the festival period. Check locally before your trip to find out which activities are planned for the current festival program.

The Heihe River also has a seasonal characteristic. It originates in the Qilian Mountains, flows through Dalaihubu Town and is called the Ejina River after entering the town. Together with the poplar forests, desert scenery and historical sites, it contributes to a regional picture in which nature, history and time-specific activities each play different roles.

For the broader travel overview: Alxa.