The terraced fields on mountains in NW China

The dry land terraced fields on the mountains in Guyuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region, have been transformed into rich colors of trees, grass and flowers. (Photo provided for chinadaily.com.cn)

The terraced fields on the mountains of Guyuan, Ningxia, have formed an exquisite multicolored landscape covered with trees, grass, and flowers, showing the local people's pursuit for a beautiful ecological environment.

The fields, covering an area of 3 million mu (2,000 sq km), are part of the Xihaigu Region in Ningxia, a place once known as the "most unsuitable for human inhabitation". Its ecological environment was very fragile, with drought, bare mountains and no crops growing on the ground.

But now it is regarded as "China's most beautiful dry land terraced fields".

Guyuan city has gradually improved its environmental quality by vigorously implementing ecological measures, such as returning farmland to forestry and grasslands, afforestation, ecological migration and pollution reduction. Many birds and animals that had not been seen for many years have returned.