Parc forestier national du peuplier doré du lac Jinhu

Jinhuyang National Forest Park is a protected area in Zepu County, west of Kashgar, on the banks of the Yarkant River. The park takes its name from its defining feature: a vast stand of natural Populus euphratica, the desert poplar, a tree species iconic of the Central Asian oasis landscapes for its golden autumn colour and its extraordinary tolerance of drought and saline soils. For visitors to the Kashgar region, Jinhuyang is one of the most rewarding natural sites and the best place to experience the desert poplar forest at scale.

The park is laid out around a series of lakes set within the forest, with walking trails, viewing pavilions, and small bridges connecting the principal scenic points. The combination of still water, mature trees, and the drier landscape beyond the riverine strip produces a distinctive visual character: the green oasis appears almost artificially dense against the surrounding desert, and the reflections of the trees in the lakes give the park much of its photographic appeal. The landscaping of the trails and the placement of pavilions take full advantage of these reflective views.

The biological interest of the park goes beyond the poplars themselves. The Yarkant River supports a band of riparian vegetation that hosts a range of bird life and other wildlife adapted to the oasis environment, and the contrast between the desert and the riverine forest is one of the clearest demonstrations of how the great rivers of the Tarim Basin sustain life in an otherwise arid region. The park's role in protecting this habitat is part of a broader regional effort to conserve the remaining desert riparian forests.

For international visitors, Jinhuyang is best treated as a day trip from Kashgar or as a stop on a longer regional itinerary. The best time to visit is autumn, when the poplar leaves turn a deep gold and the park takes on the colour that gives it its name. Spring and summer are greener and offer their own appeal, particularly for birdwatching. Allow a half-day to a full day, depending on the season and the depth of interest in photography. The walking trails are well maintained and the park's infrastructure has been steadily upgraded to handle the increasing number of visitors.