Things to do in Ejin Banner

We arrived two or three days late, and the strong winds had blown away more than half of the golden leaves, but it was still very beautiful and worth seeing. This is the most beautiful autumn scenery in China; it was definitely worth the trip!

The three attractions are located together. Starting from Heishui New City, the attractions are the Weak Water Poplar Forest and the Strange Tree Forest. The most unique attraction is the Strange Tree Forest, where trees have stood for thousands of years without decaying. The wind and sand were too strong and it was too cold, otherwise I would have stayed until sunset before heading back. The open-air train was very cold to sit on. The restrooms were extremely basic and dirty; I thought I had entered a dry toilet. There was basically no service.

As a national treasure and a place for patriotic education, I think it's well worth the visit. The entire process is led and explained by a guide. It includes a distant view of the launch tower, a visit to the Wentian Pavilion (the site of the press conference), and the aerospace exhibition hall. The whole process takes about three hours.

I got up at 5 a.m. and set off. It was still very cold, and my hands and feet were stiff. There were already a lot of people. After waiting for about an hour, the ☀ (lake) rose up. It was very beautiful, and there were many seagulls flying over the lake. It's a place that is definitely worth visiting.

Heishui City, the ruins of the Black City from the Western Xia Dynasty, is located in the desert of Ejin Banner, Alxa League, Inner Mongolia. It is one of the best-preserved ancient cities along the ancient Silk Road and is now a national key cultural relics protection unit. 🏰 Where is it and what does it look like? Heishui City, known as "Khara-Khoto" in Mongolian, meaning "Black City," is located in the desert on the north bank of the lower reaches of the Ejin River, about 25 kilometers southeast of Dalaihob Town, Ejin Banner. The existing ruins are from the Yuan Dynasty expansion. The city is rectangular, approximately 470 meters long from east to west and 384 meters wide from north to south, covering an area of ​​over 180,000 square meters. The remaining city walls are nearly 10 meters high, and a distinctive stupa stands in the northwest corner. 📜 How did it come to be? This city was first built during the Western Xia Dynasty, serving as the seat of the "Heishan Weifu Military Command," an important border fortress and agricultural and pastoral base. During the Yuan Dynasty, Kublai Khan established the "Yijinai Road General Administration" here, expanding it into a transportation hub connecting the Hexi Corridor to the Mongolian Plateau. The prosperous scene mentioned in Marco Polo's Travels includes this place. After General Feng Sheng's western expedition in the early Ming Dynasty, the city was gradually abandoned and later buried by sand, only to be rediscovered in the early 20th century. 🔍 Why is it so famous? What truly astonished the world about Khara-Khoto was the large number of artifacts and documents unearthed there. In the early 20th century, Russian explorer Kozlov and others excavated more than 8,000 documents in Tangut, Chinese, and Tibetan languages, including the bilingual dictionary *Fan-Han He Shi Zhang Zhong Zhu*, hailed as the "key to unlocking the door to Tangut studies," as well as precious artifacts such as painted double-headed Buddhas and Yuan Dynasty paper money. Unfortunately, many of these artifacts were transported to Russia and are now housed in the Winter Palace and other museums. However, the Khara-Khoto ruins themselves still retain city walls, stupas, and mosque remains, showcasing the coexistence of diverse cultures in those days.

Walking around the border area with Mongolia is quite nice. Although the area isn't very large and the small commodities there don't seem very appealing, the prosperity of our side is evident from the perspective of both sides of the border. A sense of pride arises spontaneously.

You must go there in the early morning or at dusk. If you want to take pictures of the starry sky, you can go into the scenic area at night and come out the next day. The strange forest with light and shadow has a sense of ever-changing, and it looks very dull at noon.

This trip truly exceeded my expectations; the entire journey was incredibly pleasant and enjoyable. The local scenery was breathtaking, with stunning natural landscapes, fresh air, and countless photo opportunities—everywhere you looked was a picture-perfect moment. The scenic area was well-planned, with clear routes and excellent facilities, making it very convenient to explore. The local cuisine was abundant, authentic, and excellent value, leaving a lasting impression. The service was also exceptionally attentive; our manager, Ms. Ajiu, was warm and helpful, promptly resolving any issues. The itinerary was well-paced, avoiding any rushing or fatigue, allowing us to fully appreciate the scenery while relaxing. This trip was incredibly rewarding, providing a unique experience of local customs and culture, and creating many wonderful memories. I highly recommend it to everyone, and I'll definitely come back again!

In autumn, the poplars of Ejina turn a dazzling golden hue. Vast forests stand tall in the desert, their shadows reflected in the clear water, a breathtaking sight. Living yet not dying, dying yet not falling, the poplars embody a desolate yet magnificent spirit. Strolling along the boardwalk, sunlight filters through the golden leaves, creating layers of light and shadow. On the banks of the Ruoshui River, the poplars' reflections float on the water, every snapshot a masterpiece. The desert, the poplars, and the blue sky blend seamlessly, creating a breathtaking landscape. The season is short, the scenery rare. This autumn trip offers the chance to experience both the vastness of the Gobi Desert and the tenacious vitality of the poplars—a truly soul-stirring experience.

This trip was very happy. I felt the desert 🏜 and watched the sunrise 🌅. The scenery was so beautiful. If I hadn’t come to Inner Mongolia, I wouldn’t have known that the sunrise could be so beautiful!