Baotou’s Shiguai district has been a pacesetter in Inner Mongolia autonomous region in terms of its transformation and industrial upgrading, according to baotounews.com.cn.

A panoramic view of Xiguitu new district, which is part of Shiguai district [Photo/baotounews.com.cn]

As the cradle of industry in Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Shiguai district used to rely on its coal resources for development.

Over the past few years it has adopted environmentally-friendly development plans and now looks to emerging industries, including logistics and tourism, for its economic growth. Large-scale projects concerning environmental improvements and developing the district into a smart district have been carried out.

A total of 600 million yuan ($86 million) has been spent on key forestry and green coverage projects, and 120 million yuan has been invested in improving the environment of mines over the past five years by the district government.

A big data industrial park measuring 100,000 square meters has been set up in Shiguai district. [Photo/baotounews.com.cn]

The efforts put into environmental improvement won the district an award at the 2016 Euro-China Green & Smart City Summit taking place in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, on Dec 10, 2016, making it the only district in Inner Mongolia autonomous region that had won the award for two consecutive years.

To better facilitate the district’s goal of developing itself into a smart district, Shiguai district has applied the latest communication technologies to areas including public transportation, government administration and public services. The district became the first region in the autonomous region to introduce a bike sharing service with a total of 150 shared bicycles placed in the district during April.

Baotou’s Shiguai introduces a bike sharing service in collaboration with Inner Mongolia Ziyi Mingze Technology Co on April 28. [Photo/baotounews.com.cn]