Poplar-watching season reaches its prime in Autumn

Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Zhang Xiaomi) news: Poplars (Euphrates poplar) rank among the most iconic autumn tourism draws in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Every year from mid-late September to November, poplar groves across Xinjiang turn golden one after another, ushering in the region's most picturesque season.

Scenic spots themed on poplars dot the land north and south of the Tianshan Mountains. Many counties and cities have rolled out new products and business forms, deeply integrating poplar landscapes with deserts, lakes, sports events and rural tourism. A rich array of sports, cultural and tourism offerings have been developed to cater to the diverse demands of tourists.

Golden autumn scenery at Yiwu poplar scenic area in Hami City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Ai Xiaohui)

This autumn, the Xinjiang Tourism Association will partner with multiple counties and cities to host special events including concerts and camping gatherings. For the first time, it is launching a 10-day grand self-drive loop featuring poplar sightseeing. Centered on poplar attractions, the route links cultural-tourism resources of Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, Aksu Prefecture, Kashi Prefecture, Hotan Prefecture and Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture. Recruitment for self-drive enthusiasts nationwide is underway, with a group departure planned for late October.

Poplars in eastern and northern Xinjiang will hit their prime viewing window first. "Poplars in different zones of the scenic area turn yellow at different times. The prime viewing period is expected to fall between mid-late September and mid-October," said Ai Xiaohui, director of the media department at Yiwu poplar scenic area. The Yiwu poplar golden-autumn season kicked off on September 1 and will run through October 30. A string of themed activities will be staged, including the Yiwu poplar magic night, electronic music festival and bonfire parties. This season brings more hands-on experiences for visitors: poplar-bark rubbing, hiking, cycling, stargazing camping, melon-king contests and night tours of poplar forests. The shift allows tourists to not only admire poplars but also engage with them.

Mulei Mingshashan Desert Park encompasses poplar woods, singing sand dunes and grassland Karez wells, among other sites. "Poplar leaves are expected to turn yellow around mid-September, with prime viewing from late September to early-mid-October," said Zhang Tong, general manager of Jinpu All-for-One Cultural Tourism Co., Ltd. of Mulei Kazak Autonomous County. New exhibits have been added to the park's poplar-spirit exhibition hall, where specimens, texts and video materials help visitors learn systematically about the distribution and growth habits of Euphrates poplars.

As autumn hues spread southward, poplar forests in southern Xinjiang will step into their most splendid time of the year.

Autumn poplar scenery in Bachu County, Kashi Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo courtesy of Bachu Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, Television and Tourism)

"Poplars at Lop Nur People Village scenic area are expected to reach peak beauty around October 10, and the period will last roughly one month," shared Zhao Chen, marketing director of the scenic area in Yuli County. This year, the venue has expanded stage performances for immersive cultural experiences. Its bazaar has been upgraded, serving local delicacies such as grilled fish and lamb skewers, alongside handicrafts and cultural-creative souvenirs. Water-based activities, including speedboats and human-powered aqua-bikes, have also been expanded to enrich visitor options.

Poplars in Bachu County will start turning yellow in early October, peaking from mid-October to late October. Drawing on primeval poplar resources, the locality has built the 187-kilometre "Poplar Sky Road," a premium self-drive route connecting scenic spots. Travellers along the route take in diverse landscapes: deserts, gobi, rivers and mountain ranges. Infrastructure including viewing platforms, wooden boardwalks, signages and mobile restrooms has been further improved to lift the overall self-drive experience.

Bachu Honghai scenic area is building trending photo spots and cultural-creative exhibition zones, with kayaking newly introduced for alternative poplar viewing. Small-scale live-action shows have been arranged, together with intangible-cultural-heritage workshops for earthen-pottery making, ethnic-instrument craftsmanship and wicker weaving. "While feasting their eyes on golden poplar vistas, visitors can immerse themselves in folk customs and intangible cultural heritage," said Liang Baojun, director of Bachu Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, Television and Tourism.

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