Populus euphratica forest in Golmud

Populus euphratica forest is the only Populus euphratica forest in Qinghai Province and the highest in the world, which is close to the towering Kunlun Mountains in the South and the vast Gobi salt beach in the north.

Throughout the year, Populus euphratica forest has its own characteristics, especially in autumn.

To shoot golden Populus euphratica, the best time is in October every year when Populus euphratica turns from green to yellow.

There are two main entrances to the Populus euphratica forest. One is to see the new Populus euphratica forest, and the other is to see the old Populus euphratica forest. You have to buy tickets to enter through the two gates.

Populus euphratica forest in Golmud

Populus euphratica var. Golmud forest is located in tuolahai animal husbandry community, Golmud Township, Golmud City. It is 50km west of Golmud City. The Beach Terrace of tuolahai River and the sand dunes and inter dunes scattered on the West Bank of the river. The area is between 36 ° 32 ′ - 36 ° 40 ′ N and 90 ° 20 ′ - 90 ° 26 ′ e, 6km long from east to west, 7km wide from north to south, 2730-2813m above sea level, with a total area of 4200 hectares.

geographical environment

Populus euphratica forest in Golmud is located in the tolehai area around the tolahei River in the northwest of altunquk grassland, about 60 km west of Golmud City, with an altitude of about 2770 meters.

According to the known meteorological data and the analysis of the meteorological data of Golmud meteorological station and xiaozaohuo meteorological station, the average annual precipitation in torahai area is 57.5mm, the annual evaporation is more than 2150mm, the average temperature in July is more than 17 ℃, the absolute maximum temperature is more than 35 ℃, and the average temperature in January is less than - 13 ℃ The absolute minimum temperature is below - 30 ℃, the annual range is above 30 ℃, and the annual growth period is about 150 days. The tolahai river originates from the Kunlun Mountains and runs through the tolahai area. It is a seasonal inland river. Only in June to September every year does it flow, and the rest of the time the riverbed is dry.

The main soil types are gray brown desert soil, aeolian sandy soil and saline soil. The fauna in the reserve is temperate desert and semi desert fauna. Due to the restriction of environmental conditions, animal species are relatively poor. The main species are plateau rabbit, gazelle (gazelle), red fox and wolf, and the birds are ring necked pheasant, red mallard, mallard, Daisheng, small sand bailing, gray sand swallow and raven. ]The main protected tree species in the reserve is Populus euphratica, with an area of 117.4 hectares, accounting for 2.8% of the total area of the reserve. The Tamarix community is the most widely distributed and the largest in the reserve, with an area of 2447.6 hectares, accounting for 58.3% of the total area of the reserve. Most areas in the west of the reserve are mobile sand dunes and semi fixed sand dunes, covering an area of 1635 hectares, accounting for 38.9% of the total area of the reserve. Due to the limitation of climate, water source and transportation, the population of torahai area is small. There is a village from Ledu tiaozhuang, named Xinle village, around the reserve, with a population of more than 1300, cultivated land of 200 ha, and grazing livestock of more than 12000. The village is mainly agricultural and also engaged in animal husbandry, with a per capita income of more than 1400 yuan. In addition, there is a torahai animal husbandry society with a population of more than 100 people, 162900 hectares of grassland and 58000 heads of livestock. To the north of the Populus euphratica forest in tuolahai, there is Geman highway. Golmud Populus euphratica Forest Nature Reserve was approved as a provincial nature reserve by the provincial people's Government in May 2000. ;

Populus euphratica forest in Golmud

scenic spot

Populus euphratica var. Golmud forest is located in the northwest of altunquk grassland, which is named after tolahei River in tolehai area. Tolehai, in Mongolian, means "a lot of Populus euphratica." It is about 60 kilometers away from Golmud City. It is the only Populus euphratica forest in Qinghai and the highest in the world. Populus euphratica forest is close to the towering Kunlun Mountains in the South and the vast Gobi salt beach in the north. It is especially precious in the desertification zone. A seasonal river called the Torah sea flows from the sand and curves beautifully around the woods. The forest is accompanied by sand plants such as reed, Haloxylon ammodendron, red willow, salt claw, camel thorn and so on. Together with wild animals such as pheasant, fox, wolf and hare, they form a special ecosystem.

The Populus euphratica forest here used to be very prosperous, stretching for tens of miles. However, after being cut down in the 1960s and 1970s, it has become sparse, and the small trees that grew later have not yet become useful. Those new-born Populus euphratica are not planted artificially, but along the river and in low-lying areas with abundant water, the old roots of burned and felled Populus euphratica germinate and form again, which shows the tenacity and exuberance of Populus euphratica life. Where the desert has been submerged, they have become a green barrier, which has effectively prevented the expansion of the desert and the development of the saline alkali areas to the north. Populus euphratica forest belt is a natural barrier to protect agriculture and animal husbandry in sandy area, an important habitat for wildlife, and the main body to maintain the ecological balance in this area. This 1700 Mu Populus euphratica forest has been recognized as a provincial nature reserve in 2000.

Populus euphratica is the only natural forest species in desert and sandy land. Populus euphratica has a history of 3 to 6 million years. Populus euphratica roots can grow as long as 15 meters and spread around. In order to absorb water in the extremely arid environment, it can go to about 13 meters underground.

Populus euphratica is resistant to high temperature and cold, and can survive under the temperature of plus or minus 39 degrees; it is resistant to drought, and can grow under the condition of precipitation of less than 50 mm; it is resistant to saline alkali, wind and sand, and can resist the gale of 26 meters per second. As a natural oasis, it is one of the most widely distributed tree species in Asia's desert plains and hills.

Populus euphratica forests in the world are mainly distributed around the Mediterranean and in 20 countries such as China. Populus euphratica is distributed in Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, Gansu and Ningxia. The area of Populus euphratica in Xinjiang accounts for 91.1% of the total area of China, while the area of Populus euphratica forest in Tarim River Basin accounts for 89.1% of the total area of China. Ejina Banner in Inner Mongolia is also a place where Populus euphratica grows intensively.

The Populus euphratica forest in Golmud is still being destroyed. They have conquered sandstorm, cold and drought, but they have no ability to escape the sharp axe of poachers and the trampling of large herds of cattle and sheep. Walking in the woods, you can see the felling and burning everywhere, leaving only a small section of Populus euphratica stumps; the scars of cattle and sheep gnawed by herdsmen, the dying Populus euphratica saplings, and the waste paper, bottles, plastics, film packaging boxes and other garbage thrown by tourists. If it goes on like this, the Populus euphratica forest, which has only been formed for tens of millions of years, will be completely buried in the hands of human beings who are sheltered by them.

Every October, Populus euphratica will change from dark green to golden yellow, just like a burning flame in the vast expanse, which seems to dye the whole desert into gold, making people feel the beauty of nature and the tenacity of life. Here, in the face of the withered and half buried in the sand, weeping and complaining, in the face of the aging Populus euphratica, we have no choice but to let the wind blow away the yellow leaves of the branches, and in the face of the young and growing trees, how can we not have mixed feelings and soul stirring.

There are few trees like Populus euphratica in the desert, which will become a landscape after the end of their lives. In the face of such a hero, any language is weak, any picture is difficult to express. Isn't that desolate magnificence in the face of the call of heaven and the cry of human beings who mercilessly destroy their lives?

tourist guide

There is no shuttle bus in Populus euphratica forest. You have to rent a car or drive to it, but it's very convenient. The general price of Xiali in Golmud is 50-60 yuan, including the round trip, and the driver can wait on the roadside for several hours. It's best to go on the road 2 hours before daybreak, take an hour to get to the side of Populus euphratica forest road, take half an hour to enter the scenic area, and take half an hour to prepare and maneuver. There are two ways to enter the Populus euphratica forest: one is to enter from the southwest near the signboard of the scenic spot, where the Populus euphratica is tall and dense with many young trees. It can also climb the river to enjoy the scenery of the Shahe River, but it is a long way; the other is to drive about 3 kilometers to the South and cross many sand beams to enter, which is characterized by vigorous Populus euphratica, many dead trees, ups and downs of the desert, and the landscape is very distinctive.

Time: throughout the year, Populus euphratica forest has its own characteristics, but it is more elegant in the golden autumn. To shoot golden Populus euphratica, the best time is in October every year when Populus euphratica turns from green to yellow. Before this time, the Populus euphratica was still green, but in November, the Populus euphratica had fallen leaves and withered. The yellowing of Populus euphratica leaves varies with the climate every year, so it's better to confirm whether Populus euphratica has turned yellow by telephone before traveling, so as to avoid wasting time or losing good opportunities. The Populus euphratica forest in the snow field has its own characteristics. However, due to the drought and less rain in Golmud area, it is extremely rare to have snow in winter. It would be very lucky to have such a snow scene.

matters needing attention

Carry proper amount of food and water, and enough film, as light as possible. Due to the high Kunlun mountain to the south of the Populus euphratica forest, we generally don't worry about losing our way. There are wolves in the area, especially in the morning and evening. It's better to have three or four people to go together. It's often effective to prepare a few firecrackers to scare wolves. Sand walking shoes are very important. It's best to prepare suitable high waist travel shoes when conditions permit. The local temperature difference is very big. It's cool and cold in the morning and evening in summer, and it's very hot in the afternoon. It's cold in winter, especially when it's windy. Please prepare appropriate clothing.

Address: tuolahai animal husbandry society, Golmud Township, Golmud City, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province

Longitude: 94.376120728836

Latitude: 36

Chinese PinYin : Ge Er Mu Hu Yang Lin