Xiaowujia Hui Ethnic Township in Yuanbaoshan District, Chifeng
Overview
Xiaowujia Township is located in the central part of the Yuanshan District (元宝山区) of Chifeng City (赤峰市), covering an area of 140.4 square kilometers. The township has a population of 6,199 residents and administers six villages: Xiaowujia (小五家), Laoxiyingzi (老西营子), Xiejiayingzi (谢家营子), Dayingzi (大营子), Dajingou (大金沟), and Xinjingzi (新井子). It borders Meili River Town (美丽河镇) to the east, Pingzhuang Town (平庄镇) to the south, Yuanshan Town (元宝山镇) to the north, and Wenzhong Town (文钟镇) in Hongshan District (红山区) to the west. To the southwest, it is adjacent to Shijia Manchu Township (十家满族乡) in the Kalaqin Banner (喀喇沁旗). The township boasts 151,000 acres of forest land, achieving a forest coverage rate of 72.9%, making it a natural oxygen bar in the Yuanshan District.
Historical Development
The government of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (内蒙古自治区) decided to restore Xiaowujia Township on July 25, 2012, by separating it from Meili River Town. In March 2013, the township committee was established.
Administrative Divisions
As of 2022, the township administers the following villages:
- Xiaowujia Village
- Laoxiyingzi Village
- Xiejiayingzi Village
- Dayingzi Village
- Dajingou Village
- Xinjingzi Village
Geographical Environment
Xiaowujia Township is situated in the central part of the Yuanshan District of Chifeng City. It covers an area of 140.4 square kilometers and shares borders with Meili River Town to the east, Pingzhuang Town to the south, Yuanshan Town to the north, and Wenzhong Town in Hongshan District to the west, while the southwest is adjacent to Shijia Manchu Township.
Natural Resources
By the end of 2003, the total forest area in the township reached 150,000 acres, averaging over 24 acres per person, with a forest coverage rate of 71%. The township contains iron and copper mineral deposits, though the reserves remain unspecified. Dajingou Village has gold deposits, with one mining operation established, known as Chifeng Yuanshan District Jinmei Mining Co., Ltd. (赤峰元宝山区金美矿业有限公司), which holds reserves of 317,400 tons of ore containing 2,051.75 kg of gold with a grade of 6.46 grams per ton. Additionally, non-metallic resources such as limestone can be found in villages like Xiejiayingzi and Laoxiyingzi.
Population and Ethnic Groups
The total population is 6,199, consisting of four main ethnic groups: Han (汉), Mongolian (蒙), Hui (回), and Manchu (满), with the Hui population accounting for one-quarter of the total.
Economy
Over the past twenty years, Xiaowujia Township has experienced steady economic growth, benefiting from the cooperation between various ethnic groups. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has significantly increased, rising from 8.45 million yuan at the end of the Eighth Five-Year Plan (八五) period to 20.51 million yuan by 2003. The per capita net income in 2003 reached 2,260 yuan, a substantial increase from 197 yuan at the township’s inception.
Transportation
The township government is located in Xiaowujia Village, which is 30 kilometers from both the new and old urban areas of Chifeng City, and 26 kilometers from the center of Pingzhuang. Key transportation routes include the Chichao Expressway (赤朝高速) and the Qing Shang Public Road (青上公路), which run through the entire township, ensuring convenient access.
How to Get There
- By Car: You can drive from Chifeng City to Xiaowujia Township, which is about a 40-minute drive.
- Public Transportation: Buses frequently run from Chifeng City to nearby towns, and local taxis can be hired for short trips within the township.
Travel Tips
- Best Time to Visit: The ideal time to visit is during the spring and autumn months when the weather is mild.
- Local Cuisine: Don’t miss the chance to try local dishes that reflect the unique cultural blend of the Han, Mongolian, Hui, and Manchu peoples.
- Outdoor Activities: With its vast forest areas, Xiaowujia is perfect for hiking, picnicking, and enjoying nature.
Scenic Attractions
Xiaowujia Township aims to create “Beautiful Villages” with a focus on enhancing the welfare of the residents and strengthening the community. It promotes ecological development and leisure tourism to transform the township into a notable destination for relaxation and tourism.
Notable Sites
- Lama Temple (喇嘛地): Located in Laoxiyingzi Village, this mosque reflects the region’s rich Islamic culture.
- Jing’an Temple (静安寺): A significant historical site built during the Liao Dynasty (辽代) located at the foot of the Buddhist Mountain (佛山) in Dayingzi Village. This temple was commissioned by the royal family and boasts an extensive history.
The site of Jing’an Temple has been a spiritual center for nearly a thousand years and continues to attract pilgrims and tourists alike, particularly on special Buddhist festivals.
Honors
In 2001, Xiaowujia Township was recognized as an advanced collective for ecological construction by Chifeng City, underlining its reputation as a natural oxygen bar in the Yuanshan District.
