A state-level desert park is approved to start construction in Yanchi County, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, according to the Yanchi Environment Protection and Forestry Bureau on March 1.

The park featuring natural conservation, scientific research, popularization and ecological tourism will be established at the Huamachi Town in Yanchi County within three years.

Occupying a total area of 627 hectares, the park with an investment of 185 million yuan will include southern and northern areas and incorporate existing historical sites like the ruins of the ancient Great Wall.

It will serve as another name card to promote the development of ecological tourism in Yanchi, said Wang Zengji, the vice-director of the bureau.