By the end of 2024, Baotou city had established 100 pilot sites for 15-minute living circles, covering all districts, banners, and the Baotou Rare Earth High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, serving nearly one million residents.

The 15-minute living circle is a community-based commercial area centered around residential neighborhoods, where daily necessities can be accessed within a 15-minute walk.

Improved infrastructure and services benefit residents. Li Yanqing of Kaiyuan community in Jiuyuan district walks her grandson to kindergarten every morning and conveniently buys groceries downstairs on her way back. Within a five-minute walk, she has access to a community canteen, a fresh food supermarket, a community health service center, fitness facilities, a parcel collection station, and a hair salon, which meet essential daily needs.

Residents buy vegetables at a vegetable market. [Photo/Baotou news network]

The city optimized its smart parking and charging platform and installed 974 new public charging stations. Renovation projects were implemented for 115 aging residential communities, benefiting approximately 32,300 households.

Upgrades to 20 cultural spaces were completed, and 114 library branches and 112 cultural center branches were established in selected streets and community cultural service centers, offering free access to books, newspapers, and e-books. Over 3,000 fitness equipment units were installed in old residential communities and remote counties.

In 2024, 70 pilot 15-minute living circle sites were developed. These encompass 30,503 commercial outlets, 1,212 convenience stores, 217 comprehensive supermarkets, 79 farmer markets, 774 fresh produce stores, 1,054 breakfast shops, 155 childcare institutions, 64 elderly care facilities, 67 sports venues, and 26,666 other commercial establishments.

Residents have dinner at a community canteen within a 15-minute living circle. [Photo/Baotou news network]

These initiatives enhance Baotou residents' convenience and quality of life, creating a more accessible and well-equipped urban environment.