Majestic green mountains, rolling Yellow River water. In the land of China, there has always been a tradition that wherever the back is facing the river, it will inevitably give birth to its own unique civilization, and Baotou is such a city. Although, as a city on the northwestern frontier, it does not have a glorious past like other historical and cultural cities. However, as one of the more than 2.7 million Baotou people, it is necessary to understand its thousand-year journey.
The history of Baotou dates back to the Neolithic Age more than 5,000 years ago, when the first primitive tribe in Baotou to cultivate agriculture and animal husbandry was formed in the area of baotou zhuanlongzang (the Ashan cultural site on the outskirts of today's Baotou).
Xia Shang Zhou Period:
At that time, Baotou belonged to the rule of the Ghost Fang State. It was not until 1022 BC that Ji Zhao, the grandson of Ji Fa the King of Zhou Wu, ordered Meng to lead an army to defeat the Kingdom of Ghost Fang, and Baotou was officially ruled by the Huaxia.
Spring and Autumn Warring States Period:
In 306 BC, zhao guo, one of the seven heroes of the Warring States, established Jiuyuan in Baotou and built the Great Wall of Zhao (the ruins of the Great Wall of Zhao are still north of Baotou City).
Qin and Han Dynasties:
In 221 BC, Shi Huang sent general Meng Tian north to attack the Xiongnu and establish Jiuyuan County in the Baotou area, at which the ancient city of Machi was built. In 106 BC, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty set up the Five Plains of Yunzhong here, and later Wang Zhaojun went out of the Sai and kissed, and that Sai was called Guanglu Sai, which is actually our Baotou Guyang County today.
Southern and Northern Dynasties of The Wei and Jin Dynasties:
Before that, in the Three Kingdoms, there was a Baotou man named Lü Bu, who set out from here in 184 AD and later became famous in the world. After the Jin Dynasty, in 433 AD, tuoba jue of the Xianbei tribe established Baotou, the ruler of the Northern Wei Dynasty, and named it Huaishuo Town. The Folk Song of the Northern Wei Lefu "Shule Chuan" originated from this time. The sentence "The sky is clear, the wild is vast, and the wind blows grass and looks down on cattle and sheep." "It describes the grassland style of the Baotou area at that time.
Tang and Song Dynasties:
At this time, Baotou was occupied by the Turks until 750 AD, when Emperor Li Yu of the Tang Dynasty recaptured Baotou and set up a surrendered city. By the time of the Song Dynasty, the Liao state set up Yunnei Prefecture in Baotou.
Ming and Qing dynasties:
During the Ming Dynasty, in 1570 AD, the leader of the Baotou region, Alatan Khan, was attached to the Ming Dynasty, and Baotou was renamed Naturalization City, and Meidaizhao became the administrative center of Baotou at that time. In the late Qing Dynasty of the Ming Dynasty, in 1696, the Kangxi Emperor pingding Geldan came to Baotou and inscribed a letter in front of the spring water of The Dragon Treasure. Later, in 1741, the Qianlong Emperor established Saraqi County, which was changed to Saraqi Town in 1809. In 1836, Qiao Zhiyong, a wealthy merchant in Shanxi, founded Tongshun in Baotou Donghe, which became the beginning of the rise of Baotou commerce.
Republic of China period:
In 1912, Baotou Town belonged to Saraqi County;
In 1928, Baotou was changed to a county;
In 1934, Baotou Airport was completed and opened to traffic.
New China Period:
On September 19, 1919, Suiyuan launched an uprising and Baotou was peacefully liberated.
In 1954, Baotou City in Suiyuan Province was transferred to the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
In 1955, Baotou was listed as one of the 8 cities in the national key planning, laying the current urban pattern.
In 1959, Premier Zhou Enlai personally visited Baotou to cut iron for baotou no. 1 furnace.
In 1964, Deng Xiaoping came to Baotou to visit the first machine, the second machine and the Baotou Steel Group.
In 1966, the Baiyun Obo Mine was identified as the world's largest rare earth mine.
In 1970, Tuyou Banner and Guyang County under the jurisdiction of Ulanchabu were transferred to Baotou City.
In 1992, Baotou Rare Earth High-tech Zone was established, which is also the first state-level high-tech zone in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
In 1996, the Damao Banner was assigned to Baotou.
In 1999, Jiang Zemin and other state leaders came to Baotou for inspection.
In 2002, Baotou won the United Nations Habitat Award, and until 2021, 17 cities across the country won this award, and Baotou was one of the first two cities in the country to receive this award.
In 2003, Baotou Iron and Steel Institute, Normal University and Medical College jointly established Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology.
In 2008, the planning project of Baotou Olympic Sports Center was officially established.
In 2012, Baotou Radio and Television Station was officially completed.
In 2013, the Baotou International Convention and Exhibition Center was completed.
In 2015, China's independent intellectual property rights of high-temperature gas-cooled reactor nuclear fuel components were successfully developed in Baotou 202 Factory.
In 2019, the Baotou-Beijing high-speed railway was officially opened, and the fastest time only took 3 hours and 20 minutes.
In 2020, Secretary Meng Fanli came to Baotou to create a first-class business environment, promote the efficient development of investment projects, and make Baotou regain its development vitality.
Although it is undeniable that Baotou's development in recent years has not been very good, GDP and population have stagnated. However, Baotou's rare earth resources and the corresponding rare earth industry still have the opportunity to create new miracles, especially the strong industrial base is also its potential that cannot be underestimated. When it comes to urban construction and environment, Baotou is still strong, and as the gateway to the north of China, it will surely show its due value in the future. The spring breeze is not far away, and the road of struggle is long. 2021, a new beginning, I believe that our city will create another brilliant, towards a better future.