Hohhot advances ecological governance, sees environmental improvement

Large flocks of migratory birds, including nationally protected rare bird species, have settled along the Dahei River in the late autumn. This serves as tangible evidence of improved local water quality.

Over the past five years, Hohhot has ramped up ecological protection. It has earned the title of National Ecological Civilization Demonstration City, completed Phase VI of the Three-North Shelter Forest Program, and built a 150-square-kilometer green belt on the front slope of Daqing Mountain.

Green space metrics within its urban built-up areas satisfy the criteria for a National Ecological Garden City. The city implements air, water and soil pollution remediation and operates several national pilot initiatives. Its share of days with good air quality has climbed from 80 percent to 91 percent after five-year improvement. Reclaimed water utilization in the central urban area tops 50 percent, and safe utilization of contaminated land stands at 100 percent. Energy use per unit of GDP continues to decline, and Hohhot has been designated a national carbon peaking pilot city.

The 14th Hohhot Municipal Party Congress set out the city's ecological priorities. It pursues the integrated management of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands, and deserts, and advances coordinated carbon reduction, pollution control, green expansion and economic growth. Planned work includes upgrading Hasuhai National Wetland Park, restoring ecosystems across the Yellow River Basin and protecting grassland resources.

Meanwhile, China National Petroleum Corporation Hohhot Petrochemical Branch has rolled out energy-saving upgrades. The facility saves more than 3 million metric tons of Yellow River water each year and consumed 217 million kilowatt-hours of green power in 2025.