Guide to Photographing the Mulei Poplar Forest
The oldest poplar stands here.
The Mulei Poplar Forest is considered one of the oldest virgin poplar forests in Xinjiang: the centuries-old trees have bizarre shapes, some kneeling, some looking up. In the golden period of October, the dead trees and the new forest appear on camera together, complemented by the Singing Sand Dunes and Dinosaur Gorge, making it a key autumn photography spot on the northern slope of the Eastern Tianshan.
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Destination Details
The saying about the poplar trees, "Live for a thousand years without dying, die for a thousand years without falling, fall for a thousand years without decaying," can find tangible evidence here: the forest area is divided into old and young forests; the old trees have cracked bark and branches like iron, with the texture most pronounced in the dim light of dawn and dusk.
Photography Tips
- Time: Early to mid-October when the leaves are golden, with one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset
- Composition: Shoot single, uniquely shaped dead trees, using a telephoto lens from the forest edge to compress the scene
- Pairing: Combine with Mingsha Mountain, Mulei Grassland, and Jiangbulake to form an autumn color line
The forest area's sandy ground is soft; vehicles should stay on existing paths. Climbing or breaking the branches of old trees is prohibited, and take your trash with you.
