Inner Mongolia Plateau: The wind blows the grass low, revealing herds of cattle and sheep

Author: Yang Chun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: The Inner Mongolian grassland is a vast meadow of flowers. The blossoms are abundant and colorful, like an enormous flower basket, layer upon layer, adorning the green expanse and the boundless pastures. Gazing at the horizon where the green grass meets the blue sky, the white sheep under the yurts resemble scattered white clouds drifting across the green sea. The breeze carries a melodious song: "Beautiful Grassland, My Home." The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region was established on May 1, 1947, and is the earliest-established ethnic autonomous region in China. It is located in the northern part of the country, stretching from northeast to southwest, covering the northern, northern-central, and northwestern regions. It borders Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning to the east, and Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Ningxia to the south. To the west, it adjoins Gansu. In the north and northeastern parts, it shares borders with Mongolia and Russia. The Inner Mongolian grassland is vast and ranks as the largest of China's five major pastoral regions. The fertile grassland is home to over 1,000 varieties of high-quality forage grasses, suitable for grazing various livestock. Its grassland types can be divided into meadow steppe and typical steppe. The meadow steppe, also known as forest steppe, includes the Hulunbuir Grassland on both sides of the Greater Khingan Range, which is considered one of the most beautiful and fertile grasslands in China. The central part of Inner Mongolia is dominated by typical steppe, such as the Xilingol Grassland. Inner Mongolia is far from the sea and lacks towering mountains or large rivers to block its borders, resulting in distinct seasonal temperature changes. Winters are harsh and long, while summers are cool and pleasant. Spring brings strong winds and sandstorms, with infrequent rainfall but abundant sunshine. Most regions experience significant diurnal temperature variations, leading to the folk saying: "Wear a fur coat in the morning, a light shirt at noon, and eat watermelon while huddled around a stove."