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.