I. Historical Development
In the sixth year of the Shunzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty, it was known as the Left Rear Banner of the Ordos. At the end of the Qing Dynasty, the Dalat Banner was established. On May 1, 1950, the People’s Government of Dalat Banner was formally established, and the entire banner was divided into eight districts.In 1983, during the rural institutional reform, the banner comprised a total of 23 sumus, townships, and towns. In 2005, townships were abolished and merged into towns, resulting in 1 sumu and 7 towns. In 2016, Fengshuiliang Town was established within the hilly areas south of the former Bainijing Town and Jigestai Town.

II. Origin of the Name

“Dalat” is a Mongolian term, and there are several theories regarding its meaning and origin: First, it is said to mean “the tribe of seventy,” which may have been founded by seventy warriors or descendants of nobility;Second, it means the “scapula” (or “sacrificial scapula”) clan, as the clan had a custom of sacrificing scapulae; third, it is an evolution of the word “Talaat,” which translates to “plain” in Chinese, deriving its name from the topography of Dalate Banner.

III. Location and Territory

Located in the southwestern part of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and the northern part of Ordos City, the banner administers 9 sumus and towns [Shulinchao Town, Zhandanchao Sumu, Wang’aichao Town, Zhaojun Town, Bainijing Town, Engebe Town, Jigestai Town, Zhonghexi Town, and Fengshuliang Town],6 subdistrict offices [Gongye Subdistrict, Xini Subdistrict, Xiyuan Subdistrict, Baita Subdistrict, Zhaojun Subdistrict, Pingyuan Subdistrict], comprising a total of 133 gacha villages and 33 communities. It also includes the Dalate Economic Development Zone and the Engebe Ecological Demonstration Zone.The total area of the banner is 8,188 square kilometers. It borders Zunike Banner to the east, Hangjin Banner to the west, Dongsheng District to the south, and faces Baotou City across the Yellow River to the north.


IV. Population and Ethnic Groups

As of the end of 2024, the total registered population of the banner was 371,100, of which 351,200 were Han Chinese (94.6%), 18,100 were Mongolian (4.9%), and 1,700 were members of other ethnic groups (4.7‰).As of the end of 2024, the permanent resident population was 335,600, an increase of 1,600 from the previous year. Of this total, the urban permanent resident population was 221,800, and the rural permanent resident population was 113,800, with an urbanization rate of 66.09%.

V. Topography and Climate

The southern part belongs to the Ordos Plateau, a region of earthen and rocky hills crisscrossed by gullies (commonly known as “Liangwai”), covering an area of approximately 4,410 square kilometers, accounting for 53.9% of the banner’s total area.with an average elevation of 1,225 meters. The soil is predominantly chestnut calcareous soil, suitable for the development of agriculture, animal husbandry, and forestry; the central region is the Kubuqi Sand Belt, covering an area of approximately 1,530 square kilometers, accounting for 18.7% of the banner’s total area. It features unevenly distributed natural vegetation and is suitable for the development of forestry, grassland management, animal husbandry, and tourism;The northern region consists of alluvial plains along the Yellow River and plains formed by sedimentation from the Ten Major Waterways, covering an area of approximately 2,250 square kilometers, accounting for 27.4% of the banner’s total area. With an average elevation of 1,003.4 meters, the soil texture is good, fertility is high, and the terrain is flat;and abundant water resources, making it the banner’s primary agricultural and pastoral region. The annual average temperature in Dalate Banner is 8.0°C. Annual precipitation in 2024 was 505.2 millimeters, with a long-term average of 327.0 millimeters.

VI. Hydrology and Water Resources

The Dalate section of the Yellow River enters the banner at the confluence with the Maobulakong River, a first-class tributary, and flows through Zhonghexi Town, Engebe Town,Zhaojun Town, Zhandanchao Sumu, Shulinchao Town, Wang’ai Town, Bainijing Town, and Jigesitai Town—eight sumus and towns—before exiting the banner at Liangchanghe Tou in Jigesitai Town. The river basin area within the banner is 8,188 square kilometers, and the river’s length is 190 kilometers.

Dalate Banner has 10 first-class tributaries of the Yellow River, commonly known as the “Ten Major Tributaries.” From west to east, they are: Maobulang Gou (also known as Maobula Kongdui),Buersetai Gorge (also known as Burigastai Gorge), Heilai Gorge, Xiliu Gorge, Hantai Valley, Haoqing River, Hashla Valley, Muhua River (also known as Muhari Gorge), Dongliu Gorge, and Hustai River.All of the “Ten Major Kongdui” originate on the ridges of the Ordos Plateau; with the exception of the Haoqing River, the rest flow from south to north and empty into the Yellow River.

There are a total of 37 secondary tributaries of the Yellow River and landlocked rivers within the region with a watershed area of 30 square kilometers or more, including the Ba’erdong Gorge, Erzier Gorge, and Shuji Gorge.There are four reservoirs [Wulan Reservoir, Wulan Nao Reservoir, Zhaogou Reservoir, and Houjiayingzi Reservoir], with a total storage capacity of 10.887 million cubic meters.

VII. Transportation and Location

Dalate Banner serves as the “northern gateway” to Ordos City. Within its territory are four main railway lines [Baoshen, Baoxi, Huzhun-E, and Yanhe], two railway branch lines, three expressways, two national highways, and three provincial highways.It is located 22 kilometers from Baotou Airport, 100 kilometers from Ordos Airport, and 150 kilometers from Hohhot Baita Airport.

VIII. Natural Resources

Minerals: Fifteen types of minerals have been explored, with proven reserves and are currently being developed and utilized. Proven coal reserves stand at 10 billion metric tons, with estimated reserves of 32.2 billion metric tons; sodium sulfate reserves total 6.8 billion metric tons, ranking first in the world;Predicted reserves of quartz sand total 5 billion metric tons, with the highest grade among similar mineral deposits nationwide; an ultra-large sandstone-type uranium deposit with reserves in the tens of thousands of metric tons has been identified underground.

Solar and Wind Resources: The region is classified as a Class B area with abundant solar radiation, with annual power generation hours reaching 2,000.The average wind speed at a height of 100 meters is 7.38 meters per second, with annual usable hours reaching 2,900. Wind resources are primarily concentrated in the Ten Kongdui areas and the three wind corridor regions of Gaotouyao, Erzihao, and Fengshuiliang.

Water: Total annual water volume is 450 million cubic meters.

Arable Land: The area totals 2.79 million mu, with a grain output of over 1.7 billion jin.

Nature Reserves: The entire banner has a total of two nature reserves at the autonomous region level or higher, including one national-level reserve [Ulan Naoer National Wetland Park] and one autonomous region-level reserve [Kubqi Desert Forest Park].

IX. Tourism Resources

The banner has a total of 6 A-level or higher scenic areas, including 1 5A-level [Xiangshawan Scenic Area], 3 4A-level [Wantong Ecological Tourism Area, Engebe Ecological Tourism Area, and Yinkentala Desert Ecological Tourism Scenic Area], and 2 3A-rated attractions [Kubuqi Desert Tourist Area, Zhaojun Tourism City].

X. Industrial Development

The ratio of the three sectors of the economy is 14.06:54.7:31.24.

(I) Agriculture and Animal Husbandry.In 2024, the flag’s agricultural value-added reached 7.348 billion yuan, and the total output value of agriculture and animal husbandry reached 11.978 billion yuan, making it the only flag or district in the city with a total output value of agriculture and animal husbandry exceeding 10 billion yuan. In 2024, corn production was 811,500 metric tons, accounting for 38.42% of the city’s total.Melon and fruit production totaled 10.020,000 tons, accounting for 33.86% of the city’s total. Vegetable production reached 38.20,000 tons, accounting for 51.97% of the city’s total. The annual livestock inventory exceeded 295.3Ten thousand heads only, including 128.78 ten thousand meat sheep, accounting for 27% of the city’s total,with mutton production reaching 23,600 metric tons, accounting for 23.14% of the city’s total. The cashmere goat herd numbered 1.3455 million head, accounting for 21% of the city’s total, and cashmere production reached 630 metric tons, accounting for 18% of the city’s total.Fresh milk production reached 480,500 metric tons, accounting for 70% of the city’s total. Aquatic product output stood at 5,250 metric tons, accounting for 28.38% of the city’s total.

The banner has cultivated a total of 55 municipal-level or higher leading agricultural and livestock enterprises and 12 industrial consortia, with the total number of agriculture-related enterprises reaching 1,452.Three large-scale corn deep-processing enterprises—including Zhongxuan Biochemical and Xinweiyuan—have been established, along with six fresh-eating corn production and processing enterprises such as Zhenjin and Menghe, nine rice deep-processing enterprises such as Xiangshan and Dala Tan Rice,four enterprises for the deep processing of pork, beef, and mutton—including Sijiqing and Xiao’odu—and enterprises for the deep processing of dairy products, represented by Mengzanghun Dairy. The number of agricultural and livestock product processing enterprises above designated size reached 27, with annual sales revenue exceeding 2.3 billion yuan. In 2024, the processing conversion rate of major agricultural and livestock products across the banner reached 75%.

(II) Industry. In 2024, the flag’s industrial value-added reached 26.272 billion yuan, of which 17.114 billion yuan came from mining, 5.473 billion yuan from manufacturing, and 3.685 billion yuan from the production and supply of electricity, heat, gas, and water.

Electricity Production and Supply: In 2024, electricity generation totaled 29.141 billion kilowatt-hours, including 24.673 billion kilowatt-hours from thermal power, 479 million kilowatt-hours from wind power, and 3.989 billion kilowatt-hours from photovoltaic power.Major enterprises and projects include the Dalate Power Plant, the Guoneng Yili Energy Power Plant, Three Gorges Mengneng Energy, Narenta New Energy, CGN (Dalate Banner) New Energy, China Energy Conservation Dalate Banner Solar Technology, and the Inner Mongolia Energy Group’s 1 million kilowatt mining area photovoltaic + energy storage project in Dalate Banner.

Modern Coal Chemical Industry: The region has established production capacities of 3.3 million metric tons of methanol, 200,000 metric tons of stabilized light hydrocarbons, 250,000 metric tons of dimethyl ether, and 400,000 metric tons of ethylene glycol. Major enterprises include Rongxin Chemical and Xineng Energy.

Chlor-Alkali Chemical Industry: Production capacity has been established for 640,000 metric tons of calcium carbide, 450,000 metric tons of caustic soda, 500,000 metric tons of PVC, and 200,000 metric tons of profile materials. Major enterprises include Yili Chemical and Yili Clean Energy.

Aluminum Deep Processing Industry: Production capacity has been established for 1 million metric tons of alumina, 500,000 metric tons of primary aluminum, 100,000 metric tons of high-end aluminum alloys, and 10,000 metric tons of silicon-aluminum alloys. Major enterprises include Mengtai Aluminum and Zhixuan New Materials.

New Energy Equipment Manufacturing Industry: Production capacity has been established for 5.5 GW of photovoltaic modules, 300 MW of energy storage, 11.3 million meters of photovoltaic pipe piles, and 160,000 metric tons of photovoltaic mounting structures. Major enterprises include Huida Yidao and Aidemann Hydrogen Energy.

Biochemical Industry: Projects have been completed for 2,300 metric tons of green bio-raw materials, 48,000 metric tons of xanthan gum, 40,000 metric tons of erythritol, and 20,000 metric tons of furfural, among others. Major enterprises include Xinweiyuan Biotechnology, Zhongxuan Biochemical, and Xinlianxin Biotechnology.

(3) Service Sector. In 2024, the added value of the service sector across the banner reached 16.209 billion yuan, of which transportation, warehousing, and postal services accounted for 3.467 billion yuan, and wholesale and retail trade accounted for 2.409 billion yuan.

XI. Key Industrial Parks

The Ordos Dalate Economic Development Zone was established in 2001. It is classified as a Class I industrial park and a chemical industrial park at the autonomous region level, with a safety risk rating of Grade D. It comprises the Dalate Industrial Park and the Dalate Logistics Park,with a planned area of 67.52 square kilometers. It has been successively designated as a National Pilot Park for Incremental Power Distribution Reform, a National Demonstration Park for Industrial Transformation and Upgrading, a National Green Park, one of Inner Mongolia’s Top Ten Industrial Development Zones, an Autonomous Region Demonstration Base for New Industrialization, and an Autonomous Region Pilot Demonstration Smart Park. It has achieved direct supply of 500,000 kilowatts of green electricity to the park.The park is home to 125 industrial enterprises, including 49 enterprises above designated size. Its leading industries include energy and chemicals, new materials, logistics, and related extension industries. In 2024, industrial output value reached 51.8 billion, industrial fixed-asset investment totaled 8.5 billion, and tax revenue amounted to 2.05 billion.

XII. Key Enterprises

As of the end of 2024, Dalate Banner had a total of 266 enterprises meeting the “four-above” criteria, of which 126 belonged to the secondary sector [82 industrial enterprises,44 construction enterprises], and 140 enterprises in the tertiary sector [including 32 real estate enterprises, 45 wholesale and retail enterprises, 40 key service enterprises, and 23 accommodation and catering enterprises].

Top 10 Industrial Enterprises by Output Value (Above Designated Size): ① Ordos Mengtai Aluminum Co., Ltd.② Inner Mongolia Rongxin Chemical Co., Ltd. ③ Inner Mongolia Ordos Chaonaoliang Coal Co., Ltd. ④ Guoneng Yili Energy Co., Ltd. ⑤ Inner Mongolia Beilian Electric Gaotouyao Mining Co., Ltd. ⑥ Xineng Energy Co., Ltd. ⑦ Inner Mongolia Juda Power Generation Co., Ltd.⑧ Ordos Haohua Hongqingliang Mining Co., Ltd. ⑨ Inner Mongolia Mengda Power Generation Co., Ltd. ⑩ Inner Mongolia Huida Yidao New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.

Top 10 Key Service Enterprises by Operating Revenue (Above-Scale): ① Dalate Banner Duanxin Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd. ② Inner Mongolia Xiangshawan Tourism Co., Ltd.③ Yizhao Huasheng Logistics Co., Ltd. ④ Ordos Lianchuang Coal Co., Ltd. ⑤ Central Grain Reserve Dalate Directly-Administered Warehouse Co., Ltd. ⑥ Inner Mongolia Rongtong Energy (Group) Co., Ltd. ⑦ Dalate Banner Dongyuan Transit Highway Project Co., Ltd. ⑧ Inner Mongolia Jinmei Logistics Co., Ltd.⑨ Lu’an (Inner Mongolia) Supply Chain Co., Ltd. ⑩ Dalate Banner Jinfurong Motor Transport Co., Ltd.

Top 10 by Profit and Tax: ① Inner Mongolia Ordos City Chaonaoliang Coal Co., Ltd. ② Dalate Banner Yiyang Coal Co., Ltd. ③ Inner Mongolia Beilian Electric Gaotouyao Mining Co., Ltd.④ Ordos City Haohua Hongqingliang Mining Co., Ltd. ⑤ Inner Mongolia Haoyuan Coal Co., Ltd. ⑥ Inner Mongolia Huatong Ruisheng Energy Co., Ltd. ⑦ Inner Mongolia Deyao Energy Co., Ltd. ⑧ Inner Mongolia Haihua Coal Co., Ltd. ⑨ Guoneng Yili Energy Co., Ltd.⑩ Inner Mongolia Manshi Coal Group Dianshigou Coal Co., Ltd.

XIII. Scientific and Technological Innovation

As of the end of 2024, Dalate Banner had a total of 32 national high-tech enterprises, 55 science and technology-based small and medium-sized enterprises, and 26 enterprise R&D centers;it had established 2 national-level maker spaces and 4 “Star Innovation Spaces,” as well as 1 autonomous region-level science and technology enterprise incubator, 7 “Star Innovation Spaces,” and 5 maker spaces, along with 1 national-level technology transfer service agency and 1 academician workstation.

XIV. Social Undertakings

(I) Education. The banner currently has 79 primary and secondary schools and kindergartens (including private vocational high schools and private kindergartens), of which 27 are elementary schools (11 in rural and pastoral areas, 16 in the Shulinchao township),1 special education school, 2 nine-year integrated schools, 2 comprehensive secondary schools (First Secondary School and Second Secondary School), 6 junior high schools, 2 general senior high schools, 1 vocational high school (private), 26 public kindergartens, and 12 private kindergartens, with a total of 54,845 students (including kindergarten children) enrolled.

(2) Healthcare. The banner currently has 355 healthcare institutions of various levels and types, including 2 public hospitals, 1 Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and 1 Maternal and Child Health Care and Family Planning Service Center,22 primary-level health centers, 7 community health service centers, 7 community health service stations, 156 village health clinics, 111 private clinics, 10 private hospitals, 16 outpatient departments, 13 medical offices, and 9 other medical institutions.The banner has an approved total of 2,023 inpatient beds, with 5.6 beds per 1,000 people, and 3,435 healthcare professionals.

(3) Culture. The banner currently has one Ulan Muqi troupe, one cultural center, one public library, and one museum.

(IV) Sports. The banner currently has 1,418 sports facilities of various types, with the per capita area of sports facilities reaching over 3.03 square meters [the national guideline is 2.6].

XV. Major Honors

The county has been successively recognized as a National Key Commercial Grain Base, a National Modern Agriculture Demonstration Zone, a Model County for China’s High-Quality Business Environment, a County with Investment Potential in China’s County-Level Economy, one of the Top 100 Counties with Tourism Development Potential in China for 2024, a National “Leading County” in County-Level Commerce, a National Pilot Region for Environmental Health Management, an Autonomous Region Civilized City, and an Autonomous Region Demonstration Region for the Construction of a Rule-of-Law Government.The county ranks 17th among the top 100 counties in western China in terms of comprehensive competitiveness and has been selected as one of the top 30 counties in western China for high-quality development.