Jinta Populus Euphratica Forest and Rainbow Mountains 金塔胡杨林与七彩丹霞
October 12 2025
Our driver recommended that we visit the Jinta Populus Euphratica Forest（金塔胡杨林), another magnificent desert oasis along the Hexi Corridor, just as the autumn colors were reaching their peak. Although it was not part of our original itinerary and required an extra 100-kilometer detour from Jiayuguan Pass, we gladly agreed to pay the additional cost for the chance to experience it.
After being dropped off at the entrance, we boarded the park shuttle and got off at the third stop—the main Euphratica Forest area. As sunlight streamed through layers of golden leaves, we followed a winding boardwalk deep into the grove. The Populus euphratica trees stood tall and proud, their gnarled trunks and radiant canopies forming a dazzling contrast against the endless blue sky. We admired the various distinct shapes of their leaves, each glimmering in the warm afternoon light.
Next, we took another shuttle to the observation tower and paid ¥20 to ride the elevator to the top. From there, a sweeping panorama of the golden forest unfolded beneath us, with a distant view of a solar-power tower shimmering in the desert.
Finally, we arrived at the main lake. The still water mirrored the golden trees so perfectly that the entire scene felt dreamlike and ethereal. While many visitors gathered by the lakeshore for photos, we wandered farther into the quieter parts of the forest and launched our DJI drone to capture aerial footage of ourselves walking beneath the glowing canopy. The golden hues, tranquil reflections, and vast desert backdrop created a truly magical and unforgettable experience.
After spending about three hours exploring the park, we drove 200 kilometers to Zhangye National Geopark（张掖国家地质公园）, also known as the Rainbow Mountains（七彩丹霞）. We entered the park in the late afternoon, when the low sun illuminated the hills in their most vivid hues. The shuttle bus took us to several viewing platforms, each requiring a short walk and offering breathtaking panoramic vistas. The landscape was spectacular—layers of red, orange, yellow, and white sandstone rippled across the terrain like waves of color painted by nature herself.
Our final stop was the Seven-Color Terrace（七彩观景台）, where the crowds gathered to witness the sunset. As the sun dipped toward the horizon, the hills blazed in fiery shades of gold and crimson, casting a surreal glow over the landscape. We had just ten precious minutes to savor the view before the light faded behind the mountains.
That evening, we stayed overnight in Zhangye and enjoyed a hearty dinner of 手抓羊肉 (hand-pulled mutton)—tender, flavorful, and perfectly satisfying after a long and rewarding day of travel.
2025年10月12日
今天原定的计划是离开嘉峪关，前往下一站张掖国家地质公园，但司机建议我们应该去金塔胡杨林（Jinta Populus Euphratica Forest）看看，那是河西走廊上又一处壮丽的沙漠绿洲，而现在正值胡杨林的金秋盛景。虽然这并不在原定行程中，还需从嘉峪关额外绕行一百多公里，但机会难得，为了能亲眼目睹这片秋色，我们欣然决定支付额外费用前往。
抵达景区入口后，我们换乘景区摆渡车。景区很大，而我们时间有限，只能挑几个点下车。首先我们来到原始胡杨林站，阳光透过层层金黄的树叶洒落下来，我们沿着曲折的木栈道深入林中。成片的原始胡杨树形态各异。我们边走边细细观察胡杨叶——圆的、椭圆的、长条的、三角的、心形的——每一片都在阳光下闪耀着金色光泽。
接着我们乘景区摆渡车前往胡杨塔，每人花二十元乘电梯登顶。俯瞰之下，整片金色林海尽收眼底，远处的发电塔在沙漠中闪烁着耀眼的白光。
最后一站是胡杨湖，也是整个景区最漂亮的地方。湖面如镜般平静，将金黄的树林倒映得如梦似幻。游客们纷纷在湖畔拍照留念，而我们则走向林中较为宁静的区域，放飞 DJI 无人机，从空中记录我们漫步林间、欣赏秋色的画面。那一刻令人陶醉，成为此行最难忘的回忆之一。
在林中流连忘返了三个多小时后，我们驱车两百多公里前往张掖国家地质公园（Zhangye National Geopark），也就是著名的七彩丹霞（Rainbow Mountains）。抵达时已近黄昏，低斜的阳光将山体的色彩渲染得格外浓烈。景区总共有四个观景台，风景各异。景区巴士载着游客穿梭于各个观景台之间，每一处观景台都需步行一小段路，上许多台阶，登高后皆可俯瞰令人震撼的地貌全景。那起伏的山峦，层叠的红、橙、黄、白相间，如同大自然挥洒的调色板，瑰丽无比。
最后一个观景台是人气最旺的七彩观景台（Seven-Color Terrace）。夕阳缓缓西沉，丹霞山体在金红色的余晖中熠熠生辉，宛如燃烧的彩霞，梦幻又永恒。当我们赶到时，仅有十几分钟的时间欣赏这绝美一幕，随后夕阳便隐没在远山之后。
夜幕降临，我们留宿张掖。晚餐在酒店附近的一家餐馆点了当地特色菜——手抓羊肉（hand-pulled mutton）。鲜嫩多汁、香气四溢。正好为这充实而难忘的一天画上完美的句号。