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An aerial view of the barren land around a saltwater lake in Yiwu county, Hami prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. (Photo provided to China Daily)
Hami prefecture in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region is striving to become a destination for shutterbugs, with its diverse landscapes such as the Gobi Desert, lakes, grasslands and glaciers.
A drone aerial photography contest is now underway in the prefecture through late October. Organized by the local government, China Image Group of Xinhua News Agency and China News Service, the event has attracted over 100 photographers from all over the country.
Located in the northeastern part of Xinjiang, Hami is home to one of the country's biggest forests of Euphrates poplar trees, covering an area of 31,700 hectares. Many participants praised the forest as a picture-perfect site to enjoy the colors of autumn.
An aerial view of the barren land around a saltwater lake in Yiwu county, Hami prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. (Photo provided to China Daily)
A forum on aerial photography was also held as part of the contest in early October, aiming to broaden photographers' vision and offer a platform to exchange ideas, according to Ma Zhong, vice-president of China Image Group.
Wang Jianjun, a local publicity official, said the contest is a major effort by the Hami government to promote tourism. "It's to let more people know about the charm of Hami and to offer diverse traveling experiences," Wang explained.
In addition to the contest, the Hami government also hosted a marathon during the National Day holiday in Yiwu county.
A marathon is held in Yiwu county during the National Day holiday. (Photo provided to China Daily)
The forest of Euphrates poplar trees in Yiwu is an ideal site to take shots of stars. (Photo provided to China Daily)
The forest of Euphrates poplar trees in Yiwu is an ideal site to take shots of stars. (Photo provided to China Daily)
A dead Euphrates poplar tree stands as a witness to the passage of time in Yiwu. (Photo provided to China Daily)
