Nansha Sea Scenic Area

　　    The Nansha Sea Scenic Area is part of Xinghai Lake, bounded by Dasharoad to the north, Meiji Douqu to the south, the Second Farm Canal to the east, and the eastern edge of Dawukou Industrial Park to the west, with a total planned area of 13 square kilometers. Before the comprehensive remediation of the wetlands in the southern area of Xinghai Lake, the Changshengdun Flood Storage Reservoir utilized existing low-lying land as a retention and flood regulation zone. Over the years, however, sedimentation from annual floods gradually reduced its flood control capacity. In addition, large-scale mining development and industrial construction over many years turned the flood retention area into a natural discharge site, leading to mosquito breeding, murky water, foul odors, and repeated flooding that caused significant losses to local residents. To urgently protect and restore the natural wetlands, enhance flood prevention and disaster mitigation capabilities, improve living conditions, and revive the ancient landscape of Shahu Lake, Dawukou District initiated the Comprehensive Remediation Project of the Wetlands in the Southern Area of Xinghai Lake in 2004, carrying out emergency restoration and rehabilitation of the lake wetlands, which were then plagued by sewage and piles of garbage.

　　    After nearly four years of unremitting effort, 5 square kilometers of the reservoir area have been restored, 8.4 kilometers of waterways have been dredged, 5 million cubic meters of silt have been excavated, and a flood control capacity of 14 million cubic meters has been established. The flood control standard has been raised from a 20-year to a 50-year event. On July 15, 2006, Dawukou District experienced record-breaking heavy rainfall, resulting in the most severe flood disaster since the founding of New China. Xinghai Lake’s sluice gates were opened to discharge floodwaters, safely retaining all 13.5 million cubic meters of mountain floodwater from the Helan Mountains within the lake, thereby safeguarding the Baotou-Lanzhou Railway and the lives and property of residents. Through flood storage, reclaimed water reuse, and farmland water infiltration, not only was sufficient lake water ensured, but a stable water supply was also provided for urban greening and irrigation of surrounding farmland. A 1,151-acre scenic grassland and a 1,500-acre ecological service area were constructed, with 850,000 square meters of lawns and alfalfa planted, over 80,000 trees of various species installed, 2,000 acres of economic forests cultivated, and 5,400 windbreak trees planted. These measures effectively prevented soil desertification, curbed the decline of the urban groundwater table, further improved the ecological and living environments in the Dawukou area, and enhanced the city’s image.

　　    Today’s Nansha Sea features a harmonious blend of mountains, water, sand, and reeds, surrounded by sandy islets, shaded by woods, covered with lush grass, alive with fish swimming in shallow waters, and cranes soaring high in the sky — offering pleasant and beautiful scenery. It has become a comprehensive tourism and industrial development zone integrating three major functions: climate regulation, flood control and storage, and ecological improvement, as well as two key industries: ecotourism and aquaculture.