Inner Mongolia Helan Mountain National Nature Reserve

Inner Mongolia Helan Mountain National Nature Reserve

The Inner Mongolia Helan Mountain National Nature Reserve is a national-level nature reserve.

Located within Alxa Left Banner, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, it borders the Helan Mountain National Nature Reserve to the east along the mountain ridge. Approved by the State Council in 1992, it was established as a national nature reserve. The total area of the reserve is 88,500 hectares, including a core zone of 20,200 hectares, a buffer zone of 10,762.5 hectares, an experimental zone of 36,747.5 hectares, and a grazing-prohibited zone of 20,790 hectares. Its primary conservation focus is the mountain forest ecosystem in arid and semi-arid regions.

Helan Mountain lies on the eastern edge of the Alxa Desert and is one of the highest mountains in Inner Mongolia, with its highest peak reaching an elevation of 3,556.1 meters. The mountain range runs from north to south, stretching approximately 270 km in length and only about 25 km in width. The eastern slope is steep, while the western slope is relatively gentle.

Within the Inner Mongolia Helan Mountain National Nature Reserve, the mountain stretches for 85 km, covering a total area of 748 km². The widest section is at the Muren Gaole Sumu area, which is 12.5 km wide, while the narrowest part is at Sanguan, which is only 5 km wide. It borders the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region along the mountain ridge.

The mountains within the reserve are relatively gentle, with an average elevation of 2,700 meters and an average relative height of 700 meters. The main peak, Matipo (also known as Shuangyouji), stands at 3,556 meters above sea level, with a relative elevation of 1,556 meters. The terrain is characterized by a gentle southern slope and a steep northern slope, with significant undulation, numerous cliffs, narrow valleys, and over 40 east-west gullies that resemble a comb along the mountain.

Bayanhot Town: Bayanhot, meaning "Prosperous City" in Mongolian, is also known as the "Little Beijing Beyond the Great Wall." Originally named Dingyuan Ying, the town has a history of over 300 years since its establishment as a banner. It serves as the seat of government for the Alxa League, Alxa Left Banner, and Bayanhot Town governments. Located in the southeastern part of Alxa Left Banner, at the western foot of the Helan Mountains, it borders Zongbieli Town to the east, Barunbieli Town and Jiargal Saihan Town to the south, Chaganbulage to the west, and Jilantai Town and Bayannuorigong Sumu to the north. The total area of the town is 5,433.8 square kilometers, with the built-up urban area covering approximately 24 square kilometers. The population includes Mongolian and Han ethnic groups… More detailed information about Bayanhot Town++