Located in the western part of Inner Mongolia autonomous region and adjacent to the Republic of Mongolia to its north and the Yellow River to its south, Baotou is the largest city in the autonomous region and an important transport hub.

Baotou plays a key role in the economic expansion of Inner Mongolia and the implementation of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which involves the revival of the ancient overland and marine Silk Road routes. It serves as a part of Inner Mongolia economic circle together with Hohhot and Ordos. Spanning a total area of 27,768 square kilometers, the city has nine banner counties and one national rare-earth hi-tech industrial development zone.