Once blanketed by swirling sands and fierce sandstorms, the Mu Us Desert in Jingbian County, Shaanxi Province, on the Chinese mainland faced an existential threat.
Jingbian County, the first county in Shaanxi Province to curb silt discharges into the Yellow River, watched villages risk being buried under dunes. In the 1980s, 63-year-old Guo Chengwang took up shovels and saplings, leading his family in planting hardy trees to anchor the shifting sands.
By the 1990s, his grandson Guo Jianjun joined the effort. Together, they experimented with native species and water-saving trenches, rallying neighbors to a shared vision. Through decades of dedication, the Guos have transformed more than 3,000 hectares of barren land into thriving green patches that boost local biodiversity and air quality.
Their story highlights how data-driven techniques – like matching tree varieties to soil types – and multigenerational teamwork can reverse desertification. For young global citizens seeking real-world impact, the Mu Us revival proves that small, persistent steps can reshape entire landscapes.
Today, these green belts are drawing climate-minded travelers and digital nomads in search of immersive eco-adventures amid dune forests – proof that sustainable restoration can open new pathways for tourism and cultural exchange.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
