Herders lead livestock migrations with modern conveniences in China's Inner Mongolia

Duurengbulag (R) and a neighbor transfer livestock on their way home in Jarud Banner of Tongliao, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2025. Every September, herders in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu in Jarud Banner drive their well-fed livestock from the summer pastures back to the winter pasture. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

Duurengbulag, 52, is an experienced hand in leading such livestock migrations. "In the past, we used to ride horses between pastures, and nowadays we either ride motorcycles or drive cars. While yurts used to be the only option for our accommodation in summer pastures, today we have fixed prefab houses which utilize solar power," he said.

Duurengbulag serves as the Party secretary at Baori Hushu Gacha, a role that combines leadership and community responsibility. He and his wife set out on Sept. 20 morning with the last batch of few herder families for the winter pasture. 

Duurengbulag helps a neighbor load their luggage onto a pick-up truck in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu, Jarud Banner of Tongliao, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2025. Every September, herders in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu in Jarud Banner drive their well-fed livestock from the summer pastures back to the winter pasture. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

Duurengbulag helps a neighbor load solar panels onto a pick-up truck in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu, Jarud Banner of Tongliao, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2025. Every September, herders in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu in Jarud Banner drive their well-fed livestock from the summer pastures back to the winter pasture. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 20, 2025 shows herders transferring their livestock on their way home in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu, Jarud Banner of Tongliao, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Every September, herders in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu in Jarud Banner drive their well-fed livestock from the summer pastures back to the winter pasture. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

Duurengbulag and his wife are seen at the summer pasture in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu, Jarud Banner of Tongliao, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2025. Every September, herders in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu in Jarud Banner drive their well-fed livestock from the summer pastures back to the winter pasture. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

The wife of Duurengbulag and a neighbor transfer their livestock on their way home in Jarud Banner of Tongliao, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2025. Every September, herders in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu in Jarud Banner drive their well-fed livestock from the summer pastures back to the winter pasture. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

Herders transfer their livestock past the Han Mountain national nature reserve in Jarud Banner of Tongliao, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2025. Every September, herders in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu in Jarud Banner drive their well-fed livestock from the summer pastures back to the winter pasture. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

Duurengbulag looks at a neighbor's livestock at the summer pasture in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu, Jarud Banner of Tongliao, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2025. Every September, herders in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu in Jarud Banner drive their well-fed livestock from the summer pastures back to the winter pasture. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

The wife of Duurengbulag (3rd L) chats with neighbors on their way home in Jarud Banner of Tongliao, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2025. Every September, herders in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu in Jarud Banner drive their well-fed livestock from the summer pastures back to the winter pasture. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

Duurengbulag and his wife are seen at the summer pasture in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu, Jarud Banner of Tongliao, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2025. Every September, herders in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu in Jarud Banner drive their well-fed livestock from the summer pastures back to the winter pasture. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

The wife of Duurengbulag puts food into a fridge before their departure the next day at the summer pasture in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu, Jarud Banner of Tongliao, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2025. Every September, herders in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu in Jarud Banner drive their well-fed livestock from the summer pastures back to the winter pasture. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

Duurengbulag and a neighbor ride motorcycles as they transfer livestock on their way home in Jarud Banner of Tongliao, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2025. Every September, herders in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu in Jarud Banner drive their well-fed livestock from the summer pastures back to the winter pasture. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

This photo taken on Sept. 19, 2025 shows the summer pasture where Duurengbulag's family has stayed in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu, Jarud Banner of Tongliao, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Every September, herders in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu in Jarud Banner drive their well-fed livestock from the summer pastures back to the winter pasture. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 20, 2025 shows Duurengbulag and his neighbors transferring livestock on their way home in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu, Jarud Banner of Tongliao, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Every September, herders in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu in Jarud Banner drive their well-fed livestock from the summer pastures back to the winter pasture. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 19, 2025 shows the summer pasture where Duurengbulag's family has stayed in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu, Jarud Banner of Tongliao, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Every September, herders in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu in Jarud Banner drive their well-fed livestock from the summer pastures back to the winter pasture. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 19, 2025 shows the wife of Duurengbulag riding a motorcycle as she transfers livestock at the summer pasture in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu, Jarud Banner of Tongliao, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Every September, herders in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu in Jarud Banner drive their well-fed livestock from the summer pastures back to the winter pasture. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

The wife of Duurengbulag prepares a meal at the summer pasture in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu, Jarud Banner of Tongliao, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2025. Every September, herders in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu in Jarud Banner drive their well-fed livestock from the summer pastures back to the winter pasture. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

Duurengbulag feeds livestock with salt at the summer pasture in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu, Jarud Banner of Tongliao, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2025. Every September, herders in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu in Jarud Banner drive their well-fed livestock from the summer pastures back to the winter pasture. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 20, 2025 shows a herder tranferring livestock along the Huolin River in Jarud Banner of Tongliao, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Every September, herders in Baori Hushu Gacha of Gerquluu Sumu in Jarud Banner drive their well-fed livestock from the summer pastures back to the winter pasture. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)