Donghe Scenic Area

Donghe Scenic Area

The Donghe River, originally named Botuo River, means "brave and fierce" in Mongolian. It is a seasonal river that runs from north to south through the urban area of Donghe, stretching 24 kilometers in length with an elevation difference of about 76 meters between its northern and southern ends. Originally, the Donghe was a foul-smelling ditch clogged with garbage and sewage, once referred to by locals as Baotou’s “Dragon’s Whiskers Ditch.”

In 2004, to improve the living environment along the Donghe and enhance the overall urban development level of the area, the Donghe District Party Committee and District Government decided to carry out comprehensive renovation of the river.

The Donghe Scenic Area was established in April 2004, with its main construction completed and opened to the public in July 2005. The total investment for the project was 450 million yuan.

The Donghe Scenic Area was developed along a section of the urban stretch of the Donghe River, extending 5.6 kilometers from Zhuanglongzang in the north to Nanhai Lake in the south. It covers a planned area of 72 hectares, with the river channel being 56 meters wide. The area features six colorful rubber dams that create five continuous water sections totaling approximately 2.7 kilometers in length. A total of 75,000 trees and 218,000 square meters of lawns have been planted within the scenic area. Along the riverside green belts, there are nine distinctive scenic spots, including Zhuanglongzang, Nanlongwang Temple, and Longze Square.

Longze Square is the largest in the Donghe Scenic Area, covering approximately 14,000 square meters. At its center stand eight marble totem poles carved in relief, symbolizing the unity and thriving spirit of the people of all ethnicities in Donghe District, with the meaning of "welcoming prosperity from all directions."

Located in Reservoir Area No. 5, the large-scale digital laser music fountain is one of the largest of its kind in the Inner Mongolia region. It spans 164 meters in length and 50 meters in width, featuring 17 ever-changing water patterns such as "Dragon Emerging from Water," "Gallop of Ten Thousand Horses," and "Colorful Ribbon Greeting Guests." The main jet of the music fountain can reach a height of up to 100 meters. Every evening when the lights come on, numerous visitors and local residents gather here to enjoy the laser show, watch the music fountain and the water screen movies, and experience the relaxation and comfort that modern urban life has to offer.