Baiyin's economy has undergone a profound transformation from its historical dependence on copper and silver mining. Today, the city is diversifying into tourism, agriculture, and light manufacturing, though the legacy of mining remains visible in both the landscape and the local economy.
Tourism is the fastest-growing sector, anchored by the Yellow River Stone Forest UNESCO Global Geopark. This spectacular geological attraction draws hundreds of thousands of domestic visitors annually, and the local government is investing in international marketing to attract overseas travelers. Supporting tourism infrastructure includes new hotels, improved roads, and visitor facilities.
Agriculture benefits significantly from Yellow River irrigation. The fertile river valley produces vegetables, melons, grains, and the famous Dajie Xing apricots, which are highly prized within Gansu for their size and sweetness. Greenhouse agriculture has expanded rapidly, allowing year-round vegetable production for markets across northwest China.
Light manufacturing includes food processing, building materials, non-ferrous metal processing (leveraging existing expertise), and machinery. The Baiyin High-tech Industrial Development Zone hosts a growing number of enterprises.
The city's location on the Lanzhou-Baotou Railway provides important transportation links. Baiyin's GDP is approximately 52 billion yuan, with steady growth driven by tourism and agricultural modernization. Challenges include attracting investment, managing water resources in this arid region, and continuing environmental remediation from the mining era.
