Hohhot section of Daqing Mountain sees revived ecosystem

The ecological restoration of the Hohhot section of Daqing Mountain has yielded remarkable results after over a decade of efforts.

A bird's-eye view of the Hohhot section of Daqing Mountain. [Photo/WeChat account of Hohhot Convergence Media]

A comprehensive ecological restoration project launched in 2012 was implemented across 150 square kilometers of Daqing Mountain's front slopes, stretching from the southern edge of the Daqing Mountain Nature Reserve to the Beijing-Xizang Expressway.

By the end of 2024, the forest area in the Daqing Mountain region had reached 1.42 million mu (94,800 hectares), and grasslands covered 1.71 million mu, pushing forest coverage above 50 percent. Scenic areas such as Jisha Park, the Wanmu Ecological Nursery Base, and Chilechuan Grassland have also taken shape, with 11.8 square kilometers of land restored, 12.9 million trees planted, and over 10,000 mu of grass seeded.

Thirty-seven new animal species have been recorded and protected species, such as the common pheasant and deer, as well as second-class protected species like red deer and kestrels, now roam the area.

A herd of deer wanders in the forest at the Hohhot section of Daqing Mountain. [Photo/WeChat account of Hohhot Convergence Media]

Improved ecology is also driving rural vitalization. Villages like Naobao have become popular tourism spots, drawing nearly 16 million visitors this spring. Shuimo village is flourishing with agritourism and homestays, boosting local incomes and livelihoods.