Walking into the Populus euphratica forest in Ejina Banner is the true way to understand the ultimate romance of autumn

The moment you step into Ejina Banner, you finally understand why some say, "You must see the Populus euphratica at least once in your life"—the autumn here is not just a simple golden hue, but a passionate blaze that fills the sky and strikes the eyes. Every Populus euphratica stands like a warrior who has lasted a thousand years, blending the desolation of the desert with the brilliance of life into poetry. Walking deeper along the wooden boardwalk, the ground is covered with scattered golden fallen leaves that rustle underfoot. Looking up, sunlight filters through the branches of the Populus euphratica, illuminating the leaves with a translucent glow. When the wind blows, golden leaves flutter down like an endless "golden rain," and you can catch a handful of gentle warmth. The most stunning sight is the water mirror Populus euphratica at Erdaoqiao, where the clear lake surface reflects the golden canopy, with distant sand dunes serving as a backdrop. Standing by the lake and snapping a photo, people and scenery blend into the shimmering waves, making it hard to tell reality from a painting. At the edge of the desert near Badaoqiao, the scene changes again—the golden Populus euphratica meets the reddish desert. A few withered Populus euphratica stand crookedly on the sand dunes; though leafless, they still exude an unyielding spirit. Sitting on the dune watching the sunset, the shadows of the Populus euphratica stretch long, and the wind carries the dry scent of the desert. At that moment, it feels like all worries can be set aside, and you just feel the vastness of the world and the worthiness of life. The only regret is the short blooming period; after mid-October, the leaves begin to fall, so if you want to see it, you must come early. Also, definitely don’t wear white shoes, as you’ll pick up golden dust all along the way. But this "golden mess" becomes the most special souvenir. Looking back frequently when leaving, you feel like you haven’t seen enough—it turns out autumn can be so powerful, and life can be so resilient and brilliant. The Populus euphratica in Ejina Banner is not just a landscape; it’s a shock that will be etched in your heart once you see it.