Updated 25 October 2026. Facts on this page come from minecraft.wiki, minecraft.net and the live Artemis PvP server; sources are listed at the bottom.
End Midlands, Barrens and Small End Islands
Past the main End island, Java Edition splits the outer islands into four biomes: highlands on the hill-tops, midlands on the slopes, barrens on the outer edges, and small End islands in the empty space between. Only highlands and midlands have End cities, and only highlands have chorus trees. Bedrock treats the whole End as one biome.
What are the outer End biomes?
| Biome | Where on the island | End cities | Chorus trees |
|---|---|---|---|
| End highlands | Hill-tops in the center | Yes | Yes |
| End midlands | Slopes from the top to the cliffs | Yes | No |
| End barrens | Outer edges above steep cliffs | No | No |
| Small End islands | Empty space between big islands | No | No |
Small End islands is the only biome where the little round islands generate. Endermen spawn across all of them, and shulkers guard the End cities.
How do you reach them?
Kill the Ender dragon to open an End gateway near the main island, then throw an ender pearl into it to travel to the outer islands. See End gateways.
Why go to the outer End?
End cities hold some of the best loot in the game, and some have an End ship with an elytra and a dragon head. Chorus trees in the highlands give chorus fruit, which teleports you, and smelting it gives popped chorus fruit for purpur blocks. See End cities.
How do you find a biome?
On Java, with cheats on, use /locate biome minecraft:end_midlands or /locate biome minecraft:end_barrens; the F3 screen shows the biome you stand in. On Bedrock the whole End is one biome, so look for the island shapes instead.
Staying safe out there
The outer islands float over the void, so carry ender pearls, blocks to bridge, and slow falling potions. Shulker bullets make you float with Levitation, which can carry you off an edge, so fight them away from the cliffs. Wearing a carved pumpkin stops endermen getting angry when you look at them.
Does ArtemisPvP have its own worlds?
Frequently asked questions
Do End cities spawn in End barrens?
No; only in End highlands and midlands.
Are End biomes the same on Bedrock?
No; Bedrock treats the whole End as one biome.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.