(This text material is forreference only.)
A river is aprecious gift, from nature especially for a city located in North China’s Inner Mongolia. The Wulanmulun River, is a branch of the Yellow River which runsthrough Shenmu county in north Shaanxi province to the Kangbashen new districtof Ordos.
Ordos started construction of Kangbashen new district ten years ago and the district had apopulation of over 100,000 by 2015. It is the location of most of Ordos’governmental organs and cultural venues, including a 2.5 kilometer outdoorculture and arts corridor. The corridor neatly links several functional areas,including the administrative section, the entertainment section and commercial district.
Walking along Ordos’ axis from the municipal government building to the bank of the Wulanmulun River, is to experience the city’s history and modern atmosphere.From the giant parterre, to the uniquely-designed museum, to the city’s libraryand theatre, every stop is a tourist attraction.
In 2012, Kangbashen new district was listed as a national 4A-level urban scenic spot,the first in China. They never expected the district to be a 4A-level scenicarea when they started it, said Ji Jiefeng, an official of the district’sadministration committee..
The district’s streets are not crowded in the day, but it was surprising to find the libraryalmost full when I walked in. Yang Aiping at 28-year-old has been working inthe library for seven years. She loves her job and life there. All the servicesin the library are free to public, she said, and the library organizesexhibitions and lectures occasionally.
In earlier years, some said the Kangbashen new district was ahead of its time. Localcitizens in the district’s Genghis Khan Square said that they are benefitingfrom such construction, whether the good environment or the convenientfacilities such as hospitals and schools.
The city of Ordos experienced unbalanced development when coal took a leading role in theeconomy. However, Kangbashen new district can create a new development platformto develop itself into an area highlighting ecology and culture, a placesuitable for living and traveling.
Several days’ stay is not enough to understand a city, but it’s enough to learn that it has along history and rich culture. Ordos already has advanced infrastructure and agood environment, now it needs more bridges to the outside world.
