Tongliao, a prefecture in China’s Inner Mongolia region, has undergone a significant transformation from arid desert land to a flourishing center of cattle farming and related industries. Situated on the eastern edge of the Gobi Desert, Tongliao was once dominated by sand, gravel, and camels. Today, much of the area is covered by lush grasslands, cornfields, and poplar forests, making it one of the most important beef-producing regions in China.

Over recent decades, local authorities have actively worked to reclaim desert land by planting trees, cultivating crops, and managing grasslands. These efforts, along with increased rainfall attributed to climate change, have expanded vegetation cover from just 12% to approximately 64% of the region’s area. The government has also implemented measures such as installing motion sensors to control grazing, prohibiting it in sand restoration areas to prevent overuse, and mechanically mowing new grasslands to protect fragile soil.

This environmental recovery has coincided with a substantial rise in cattle farming. Since 2018, China’s beef herd has grown by roughly one-third to nearly 90 million head, with Tongliao’s local herd reaching around four million. China aims to reduce its heavy dependence on imported beef, which currently makes it the world’s largest beef importer, by increasing domestic production and improving cattle quality. The country is among the leading importers annually of bull semen used for artificial insemination, enabling crossbreeding programs to enhance local cattle breeds.

Locally adapted cattle, traditionally bred for labor and resilient against regional viruses and harsh winters, are now being crossbred with larger, meatier imported breeds such as Swiss Simmental and Angus. This crossbreeding produces offspring that weigh nearly twice as much while maintaining adaptation to the local environment. Authorities encourage farmers to centralize their herds in large feedlots to better manage artificial insemination and breeding efforts.

The expansion of cattle farming has coincided with broader economic development in Tongliao. The region has also become a major manufacturing hub for wind turbines, many installed on reclaimed grasslands. This industrial growth, along with modern agricultural practices, has raised local living standards significantly. Mechanization, including the widespread use of machinery to plough fields—once worked by livestock—has replaced traditional manual labor, contributing to increased productivity.

However, the transition has had its challenges. An increase in domestic beef production led to price declines in 2024 that negatively affected rural farmers who had invested heavily in raising cattle for sale. Prices are now recovering, helping restore profitability for local producers. Beef prices nationwide have risen by 17.6% since their low in early 2025, supporting continued prosperity in cattle-raising regions like Tongliao.

Overall, the combination of ecological restoration, agricultural innovation, and industrial expansion is reshaping Tongliao from a desert wasteland into a dynamic center of China’s growing beef industry, signaling broader shifts in the country’s approach to food security and rural development.