The average ownership rate stands 1.5 motor vehicles per family. Members of the Mongolian ethinic group in China have abandoned the nomadic life which focused on moving from place to place in search of water and grass, and have instead resorted to permanent homes. Yurts have been replaced by houses made of bricks and tiles. Mongolian people initially abandoned the use of horses as early as four decades ago, but major changes have taken place in the past 20 years since the household responsibility contract system was introduced to the vast pastoral areas in Inner Mongolia, according to the offical. An increasing numerous tourist centers which host over six million domestic and overseas visitors annually.
Horse races are one of the most popular events during the fairs.
The fact that China's largest nomadic group has abandoned horses for a comparatively stable life is also closely related to improvements in the region's transportation conditions. Information from the regional transport administration shows the region's highway network stretches over 50,000 km, including some 80 percent constructed over the two couple of decades. Railways link 11 leagues and cities in Inner Mongolia, the sole exception being the Alxa League located deep in the Badain Jaran Desert, the third largest desert in the country. The region's seven airports offer regularly scheduled flights to over 40 cities in China and various major cities in other countries. Now, however, I can make the trip to visit my grandson in only 40 minutes by air.