Baotou

Location: Baotou is situated in the central part of Inner Mongolia, on the Tumochuan and Hetao Flatlands, with the Yellow River to the south and Mongolia to the north. The greater municipality occupies an area of 27,691 square kilometers, and has become a strategic area linking the Bohai Economic Zone to the northwest. Baotou is the largest rare earth industrial base in China, and is also famous for its facilities for the production of iron and steel, machinery, non-ferrous metals, and textiles.

Transportation: Baotou is only 700 km from Beijing, and has become a transportation hub for the northwest part of the country. There are direct flights to Beijing (1 hour), Guangzhou (5 hours), Xi'an (1 hour), and Wuhan (2 hours), and through these hubs to other domestic and international destinations. There is also daily passenger train service to all parts of the country, including Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Ningbo, Xi'an, Wuhan, Shenyang, and Lanzhou, with connections to other major coastal cities. From late 2002, freight trains will be able to clear customs locally, and be shipped directly through the sea-port of Tianjin. Two national highways, Numbers 110 and 210, pass through Baotou, linking Beijing to Yinchuan, and Xi'an to Baiyunebo.

Natural Resources: Baotou is rich in rare earth resources. Its proven reserves of rare earth put it first worldwide. Baotou rare earth ore features high grade, high content rare earth elements, and low production cost. In 1999, rare earth extraction in Baotou accounted for 60% of the world total. In addition to rare earth, Baotou is rich in other minerals, such as iron, niobium, gold, magnesium, copper, and coal, with the second largest reserves of niobium in the world. The world famous Shenfu-Dongsheng coal deposit is located near Baotou, with reserves of over 200 billion tons. The Yellow River passes through Baotou, with annual water discharge of 26 billion cubic metres. Dalate Power Plant, with a capacity of 5 million kWh, is only 40 km away. Thus, Baotou not only has rich mineral resources, but also enjoys a healthy supply of water and power.

Buses to Hohhot (3hrs.) and Dongsheng (2hrs.) depart from the Baotou bus station, although for destinations further afield, it is probably better to take the train. Buses are mainly used for travelling to nearby sights, including Genghis Khan's Mausoleum, Wudangzhao Monastery and the Resonant Gorge.The main bus station is in the eastern section of the city, opposite the Donghe railway station. There are also long distance buses leaving from the station near to the intersection of Tuanjie dajie and Baiyun e'bo lu.

Minibuses shuttle back and forth within the city for just RMB2.5. Taxis and mini vans congregate round the railway station and tourist hotels. Although the minimum you have to pay is RMB8, it is still worth bargaining for longer journeys. Bike renting is also possible, ask in the Baotou Hotel, or other hotels, for details. Bikes are particularly useful for getting around in this vast, sprawling city.