When the weather gets warmer every spring, the Yangtian Lake Prairie enters a restoration period of sowing grass seeds, turfing, watering and fertilizing. 

 

This year, the scenic area has adopted innovative methods such as spraying and replanting grass seeds for grassland restoration. The grass seeds grow well with suitable humidity and temperature. So it’s expected that vibrant grass on the Yangtian Lake Prairie after more than half a month. 

 

 

However, a few years ago, the Yangtian Lake Prairie was severely damaged due to disorderly grazing, resulting in grassland desertification. A series of measures were taken to protect and manage the ecological environment of the prairie. 

 

In 2020, Jinzhan Tourism Development Company was introduced to coordinate the development of tourism resources and relevant industries of Yangtian Lake Prairie.

 

At the same time, 4,680 mu (312 hectares) of core grassland has been designated for key ecological protection and restoration. Since June 2020, the grassland coverage rate has increased from 64% before restoration to 94%. 

 

 

Apart from the protection and restoration of grassland resources, water resource management has also become a major highlight of ecological development of Yangtian Lake.

 

Here is a lake formed by a dead volcano during the Quaternary glacial period. This high-altitude grassland lake is also a marvelous sight in the Yangtian Lake Prairie Scenic Area. 

 

Beihu District has integrated the development of Yangtian Lake Prairie water system into the landscape, and restored the water storage capacity of Yangtian Lake by repairing the dams and clearing the sludge. 

 

This year, professional teams were engaged to improve the quality and upgrade the water ecosystem of the five lakes in the scenic area.

 

“Now, we have completed the dredging and disinfection work for three lakes. Next, some phytoplankton and fish will be put into the lakes, and tourists will see the clear water.” Liu Huadong, deputy general manager of Yangtian Lake Scenic Area said that in the future, efforts will continue to promote the successful experience of grass ecological restoration of Yangtian Lake, and strengthen technological innovation and research to realize data sharing among domestic grasslands. 

 

 

The beautified Yangtian Lake has also driven the development of culture and tourism in local villages. In particular, with the renovation of infrastructure, the upgrade of the scenic area, road widening and so on, horse breeding cooperatives, grassland homestay inns and farmhouse restaurants have sprung up in the surrounding areas.

 

The green ecological environment has helped local villagers increase income, bringing an annual income increase of about 50,000 yuan for them. 

 

Last year, the popular program “Chinese Restaurant” of HNTV was shot in Yangtian Lake, topping the ratings on five network platforms, making the Yangtian Lake Prairie go viral.

 

 

Only during the National Day holiday, the Yangtian Lake Scenic Area received over 60,000 tourists, ranking eighth in the province in ticket revenue. And it was upgraded successfully to a national 4A-level scenic area at the end of last year.