Plan at a glance
Plan the two scenic areas separately
The Ejina Poplar Forest Scenic Area centers on the East Area route from Bridge One (一道桥) to Bridge Eight (八道桥). Damo Poplar Forest is a separate scenic area with its own entrance, tickets, and visiting hours; it is not another stop on the East Area bridge route. Plan them separately. Whether both fit into one day depends on transport and entry times.
The East Area sights are spread across several bridges, so allow at least half a day for a full route. Add extra time for Ta Wangfu (塔王府) near Bridge Two. Damo Poplar Forest requires separate transport and entry time, so allow for that when deciding whether to visit both areas in one day.
Choose a schedule that fits your day
Allow half a day for the East Area, or a full day if you want to stop for photos at a slower pace. Leaf color varies with the weather each year, so check local conditions close to your visit.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
Choose your visit
The East Area: choose your bridge stops
Bridge One (一道桥) is the starting point for the East Area. At Bridge Two (二道桥), poplars frame the water; reflections are easier to see when the wind is light. Morning light is often softer, but wind, water levels, and light conditions change from day to day.
Bridge Four (四道桥) is known as Hero Forest (英雄林), with its thick-trunked trees. If time is limited, prioritize Bridges Two and Four, then decide whether to continue to Bridge Seven (七道桥) or Bridge Eight based on the sightseeing shuttle service that day.
Damo Poplar Forest: a separate option
Damo Poplar Forest is a separate option outside the Ejina Poplar Forest Scenic Area. Visiting both on the same day depends on each area's opening hours, transport, and ticket arrangements.
Ta Wangfu near Bridge Two
Ta Wangfu is a cultural stop to consider while visiting Bridge Two. Its courtyard buildings combine Tibetan and Han Chinese architectural influences. Exhibits cover the Torghut people's eastward return (东归) and local modern history, adding cultural context to the poplar landscape.
Ta Wangfu's entry arrangements may differ from those of the main poplar forest. Check whether a main scenic-area ticket is required, whether the mansion charges separately, and when it is open. Free entry to the mansion would not necessarily mean free access through the surrounding scenic area.
Keep Black City Ruoshui and Guaishulin separate
Guaishulin (Strange Forest, 怪树林) is part of the separate Black City Ruoshui Poplar Forest Scenic Area, not the Bridge One-to-Bridge Eight route. The actual Khara-Khoto Ruins (黑水城遗址) are a different site. If you plan to visit either, use the distinct destination names when arranging tickets and transport.
Build your day
A half-day route through the East Area
Enter at Bridge One, visit Bridge Two, then continue to Bridge Four. Bridge Seven or Bridge Eight can be added if time allows. The distance from Bridge One to Bridge Two is about 3.6 km, according to a media report dated 8 October 2026. The report lists the forest train at about CNY 90, charged separately from the basic shuttle; walking is also possible. Fares and service can change. Check the transport map and the last departure on site. Choose walking or available shuttle and forest-train service according to your group's pace and mobility.
A full East Area day with Ta Wangfu
You could start at Bridge Two in the morning, then continue to Bridge Four. In the afternoon, choose Bridge Seven or Bridge Eight according to your energy; there is no need to rush between bridges just to cover them all. If adding Ta Wangfu, leave enough time for the stop before the return leg.
Damo Poplar Forest is a separate scenic area. A same-day visit works only if transport between the two areas and each final-entry time leave enough room; otherwise, visit them on separate days.
Get there
From Dalaihubu Town
Head toward the East Area via S312. Take a taxi or hire a car in town, and arrange a return ride in advance during peak season. If driving, navigate to the East Area entrance of “额济纳胡杨林旅游区.” Damo Poplar Forest has its own entrance, so confirm the destination name on your booking before navigating to “大漠胡杨景区.”
Getting around inside the scenic area
After entering, check which areas the sightseeing shuttle serves, where to board the forest train, whether it has a separate charge, and when the last service runs. The walk from Bridge One to Bridge Two is long, so choose transport based on your energy and the day's service. Follow on-site directions for the walk to Ta Wangfu.
Know before you go
Check tickets and hours for your date
Autumn arrangements published by Juyan Tourism on 28 September 2026 list the Ejina Poplar Forest Scenic Area as open 07:30–19:30, with ticket sales and entry stopping at 18:00; the poplar forest night visit as 19:30–22:30, with ticket sales and entry stopping at 21:00; and Damo Poplar Forest as open 07:00–18:00, with ticket sales stopping at 17:30. These are autumn 2026 schedules, not year-round hours. Before setting out, check the notice for your date, ticket type, reservation requirements, and final entry time.
Confirm Ta Wangfu's opening status, whether its entry requires the main scenic area ticket, and any reservation rules on the day. If you are buying or validating a ticket with a passport, ask in advance which identification and booking methods are accepted; do not assume the process for mainland Chinese ID cards also applies to passports.
Leave time for the season and walking
The color-change period varies from year to year, so check the foliage and forecast close to your visit. Wear walking shoes, carry water, and use sun protection in clear weather.
During peak season, waiting for shuttles, parking, and finding a ride-hailing car can take longer. Keep your return-ride details handy. If shuttle service or access differs from your plan, skip the farther bridges first.