Locals pick Baotou’s eight best tourist attractions

Around 10,000 Baotou residents took part in a popularity contest to elect the eight best tourist attractions in Baotou city, according to a July 17 report in the Baotou Evening News.

A total of 20 tourist attractions were selected in the first selection round which came to a close on July 15.

The tourist attractions that passed the primary selection included the urban grassland located in Saihantala Park, Wudang Lamasery, Chunkun Mountain, Northern Weaponry Park and Meiligeng Scenic Area.

Other successful candidates were Dayantan, Nanhai Lake Park, Baotou Olympic Park, Jiufeng Mountain Natural Reserve, Arden Botanical Garden, Huangheyao, Dongdashan Arts Area and Baotou Science and Technology Museum.

The final tranche of attractions to make the first selection leg included the Great Wall constructed in the Qin Dynasty (1644-1911), Shimen Scenic Area, Meidai Monastery, Xilamuren Grassland, Jiuqu Huajie Culture World Scenic Area, Xiaobaihe Cultural Tourism Industrial Park and Qicai Dadi (Colorful Lands).

The event -- co-hosted by the culture, press, publishing, radio, and TV bureau of Baotou and the Baotou Daily -- is being staged to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Organizers said it aims to showcase the changes the city has undergone over the past 70 years.

Organizers added that the second round of selection has begun. Residents are welcome to vote for the best scenic spots from the list of 20 candidates.

Text messages with the name of the recommended place and the name and phone number of the referrer should be sent to 15647203460.

Participants in the event will receive free tickets to scenic spots in Baotou as a reward for offering recommendations. In addition, 100 prizes will be offered to participants, worth between 100 yuan ($14.53) and 3,000 yuan.

Chunkun Mountain covers an area of 30 square kilometers. It is the largest alpine meadow grassland in the central and western part of the autonomous region and its hot springs are available throughout the year. [Photo/Baotou Daily]