Why Baiyin
Baiyin is a prefecture-level city situated in the northeastern section of Gansu Province in China. Positioned approximately 60 kilometers away from Lanzhou, the provincial capital, Baiyin functions as an integral component of the regional Lanzhou-Baiyin Economic Belt. The municipality spans a total area of 20,100 square kilometers, of which 3,345 square kilometers comprise its urbanized territory.
The geography of Baiyin features a mix of loess plateau terrain and desert landscapes, with elevations varying between 1,275 meters and 3,321 meters above sea level. The Yellow River is a prominent natural feature of the area, running through the prefecture from south to north over a distance of 214 kilometers. Climatically, the region experiences a cool arid or cool semi-arid environment characterized by dry conditions. Annual rainfall measures between 110 and 352 millimeters, while high annual evaporation rates of 2,101 millimeters lead to a substantial net moisture loss of about 1,800 millimeters each year.
Founded during the 1950s, Baiyin originally developed as an industrial center focused on non-ferrous metal extraction. Mines in the area historically produced copper, zinc, and selenium through operations managed by the Baiyin Nonferrous Group. As these mineral reserves have grown depleted in recent decades, the city has pursued economic diversification. This includes the development of a funded high-tech park hosting facilities such as a contact lens factory. Additionally, a major chemical manufacturing facility created under the country's first five-year plan operates locally, while Pingchuan District and Huining County serve as the primary coal production areas within Gansu Province.
Administratively, Baiyin encompasses two urban districts—Baiyin and Pingchuan—alongside three counties, 18 towns, 64 townships, and seven sub-districts, supporting a population of over 1.5 million residents. Transport connections to and around the region are provided by major roadways and rail lines, including China National Highway 109, China National Highway 341, and the G6 Beijing–Lhasa Expressway. Rail transit is facilitated by the Baotou–Lanzhou line and the Honghui railway, supplemented by the Baiyinnan Railway Station set to begin operations in late December 2022.
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