From Ghost Town to Prosperous City... Visiting Eerduosi, Neimenggu, China

[Report] Small Town Surpassing Korea and Japan in Per Capita GDP
Outpacing Shanghai through Underground Resource Development
Rapid Growth in Solar Power and Initiatives for Ecological Restoration

Which city in China has the highest per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP)? Most would think of Shanghai, the economic capital, or Beijing, the national capital, but the answer is the small city of Eerduosi in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, known to us for its "grasslands" and "bao (ger)." Inner Mongolia is considered one of the resource-rich areas in China. On the 30th, we visited Eerduosi, a city expanding its core industries from traditional high value-added manufacturing like cashmere production and coal mining to new energy sectors such as solar and wind power generation.

On the 30th, I visited the Qiqi Banner-level Ejinhoro area in the south-central part of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China. Solar panels cover the grassland so extensively that it is difficult to estimate the end at a glance. (Photo by Kim Hyunjung)

On the 30th, in the Qiqi County-level unit of Ejina Banner, located in the south-central part of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, workers are operating near solar panels. (Photo by Kim Hyunjung)

A Small City Surpasses 'Economic Capital' Shanghai in Per Capita GDP

From Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia, it took more than three hours by bus to reach Eerduosi. Throughout the journey, about 80% of the view outside the window was barren grassland. During the city’s development, a flood of unsold apartments once earned it the notorious label of a "ghost city." However, the current economic strength here is formidable. Last year, Eerduosi’s per capita GDP was 256,908 yuan (approximately 47.88 million KRW), three times the national average of 85,698 yuan, and higher than major Chinese cities like Beijing (190,000 yuan) and Shanghai (180,400 yuan).

Last year, Eerduosi’s total GDP reached 561.34 billion yuan, surpassing Hohhot’s 332.91 billion yuan. This was largely due to abundant resources such as natural gas, which accounts for 33% of China’s total reserves, and coal, which makes up about 17%.

Recently, the new energy sector, including solar and wind power, has gained attention as a means to diversify growth engines. The Qiqihaer-level administrative region of Jinhualuo in central-southern Eerduosi is covered with solar panels stretching as far as the eye can see. Upon arrival, a foreign correspondent accompanying the press exclaimed "Black gold." Currently in the pilot phase, this solar project covers a total planned area of 28 square kilometers, equivalent to 1,354 football fields. The installed capacity is about 500,000 kW. Once the pilot project is completed, the annual average power generation is expected to be approximately 900 million kWh, translating to about 255 million yuan annually.

The city center of Eerduosi, Inner Mongolia, China. The roads and landscaping are cleaner and the environment is better than previously known. However, compared to typical large cities in China, both the sidewalks and roads are very quiet. (Photo by Kim Hyunjung)

The city center of Eerduosi, Inner Mongolia, China. The roads and landscaping are cleaner and the environment is better than previously known. However, compared to typical large cities in China, both the sidewalks and roads are very quiet. (Photo by Kim Hyunjung)

Shifting Focus from Coal Resources to Solar Power

The Jinhualuo solar project site was originally a large-scale coal mine covering 4,850 square kilometers, with reserves of about 56 billion tons. However, due to ongoing coal mining causing ground subsidence and environmental controversies, a comprehensive development plan has been established that includes ecological restoration and grass cultivation.

At the site, Xue Feng, Vice President of Inner Mongolia New Energy Science and Technology at Shengyuan Energy Group, stated, "This project is an important initiative for building a major ecological safety barrier in northern China and promoting high-quality economic development." He emphasized, "We will restore the ecology of the subsidence areas caused by coal mining and promote integrated new energy development through the solar power model to revitalize the regional economy." A local official added, "Through the comprehensive development plan, we will cultivate fruit trees worth 4.68 million yuan annually, economic shrubs worth 2.74 million yuan, and social shrubs worth 1.97 million yuan."

On one side of the project site, a large billboard displays a quote from Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasizing the importance of the new energy industry in Inner Mongolia. Major project sites in China typically feature statements related to President Xi's remarks along with his photo. (Photo by Kim Hyunjung)

On one side of the power plant, a large plaque displayed an explanation by President Xi Jinping emphasizing the importance of new energy development and Inner Mongolia’s role. In fact, during his speech at the 13th National People's Congress in March 2021 as a representative of Inner Mongolia, President Xi stated, "We must protect Inner Mongolia’s ecological environment well and firmly build ecological safety barriers," and "Promote efficient use of resources, strengthen core industries and green transformation, and accelerate low-carbon development."

However, it remains uncertain whether sufficient research has been conducted in advance on the long-term environmental impact of establishing large-scale solar power complexes for ecological restoration. Since the early 2010s, following extensive mining development, there have been conflicts between the Han Chinese settlers and ethnic minorities such as the nomadic Mongols due to mass migration into the area.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.