On a picturesque autumn day, the people of Dunhuang found themselves immersed in the breathtaking beauty of a Euphrates poplar forest. Located just beyond the boundaries of Dunhuang in northwest China's Gansu Province, this oasis of Euphrates poplar trees was awash with the rich and vibrant hues of autumn.
The Euphrates poplar is a magical species that can survive in extremely dry and cold areas. In China, the desert poplar is considered to be able to "live for a thousand years, then stand for a thousand years after death, then stay imperishable for another thousand years."