Take a deep breath in Ergune

(chinadaily.com.cn)

Updated: 2014-08-14

Key phrases like "origin of Mongols," "Russian customs," "wetland," "sea of flowers" and "birch forests" help to describe the city of Ergune.

Ergune in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region is named after the Ergune River, renowned as the origin of the Mongols. It is China's northernmost border city with a border that extends 673.11 kilometers with Russia.

Together with a history of 800 years, the city also has preserved multiple natural ecological systems consisting of hilly land, forests, grassland, lakes and swamps. Seventy percent of Ergune belongs to a natural protection area and 90 percent is covered with green. It serves as an important ecological shield in North China according to Zhen Guang, head of Ergune’s forestry bureau.

In 2011, the Ergune wetland was selected as the best wetland for special tourism and a Chinese ecological city in 2013. It was listed eighth place in the “Chinese Top 100 Small Cities for Deep Breath” this year. Ergune won more and more popularity as time went on.

Ergune is not only known for its rich historical culture, but also for its breathtaking original ecological landscape. It’s becoming a popular tourist destination to experience both history and nature. Its tourist volume reached 1.70 million in 2013.

A photo taken on June 24, 2014, shows the Ergune wetland. [Photo/Xinhua]