Saihantala Ecological Park is located in Baotou. It is the only wetland grassland in the city’s urban area. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Located in North China, the city of Baotou in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region is well-known by the public for its steel, rare earth and metallurgy. Less known is that it is the home of the only wetland grassland, Saihantala Ecological Park, within a city's urban area in the world.

This wetland grassland is a precious ecological resource that is well-preserved by the Baotou government. In 1955, it was reserved as a green space in the municipality's planning. Now, it is the largest grassland ecological park in a city in China. It has an area of 537 hectares, nearly 333 hectares of which is covered by natural grassland and about 66.7 hectares by natural forest. It is also home to over 30 kinds of wild animals.

Saihantala Ecological Park is located in Baotou. It is the only wetland grassland in the city’s urban area. [Photo provided to China Daily]

On August 27, an autumn rain rustled the city, however, the grassland was still verdant green.

“I've never imagined such beautiful grassland inside a city,” a visitor said.

Actually, there are more amazing things in the grassland, for example, herds of sheep and cows scatter across the grassland in summer. Even wild animals such as rabbits and pheasants can be found deep in the forest.

Though it is a grassland in the city, it has every element that a real Inner Mongolian grassland has. Flocks of deer can be seen galloping in the grassland. Visitors can also ride a horse to see the grassland, which is really a rare experience in a city.

This wetland grassland is a sample of ecological culture construction in Baotou, a city comprised “half by trees and half by buildings” and a winner of UN Habitat Scroll of Honor Award granted by the United Nations Human Settlements Program.

Baotou is not only a city of steel and rare earth but also a grassland, according to the municipality.

The city is implementing the so-called “five projects” plan, which features blue sky, clear rivers, green mountains, wetlands and large grasslands. It has improved its whole ecological environment and living environment.

Edited by Michael Thai