For decades, the land around Shizuishan city in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region was heavily mined for coal. It had become a virtual wasteland of lifeless rubble.

Now things are different. As far as the eye can see, the Helan Mountains stretch into the distance, and numerous forest parks add color to the scene.

Shizuishan has undertaken a large-scale effort to plant trees, develop ecological corridors, restore lakes, accelerate the growth of new of vegetation and heal the local ecosystem.

Forests in Shizuishan covers an area of 302 hectares.

Tang Ziye contributed to the story.

[Video by Fan Zhonghua]