The new Ningqiang pony park in the Nantong Forest Safari Park is expected to become a hot favorite with tourists. [Photo/WeChat account: chongchuanonline]

The new Ningqiang pony park – located in the Nantong Forest Safari Park in the Chongchuan district of Nantong city, in East China's Jiangsu province – opened on May 19.

The opening of the special park reportedly chalked up another impressive gain from Chongchuan's cooperation with Ningqiang county – administered by Hanzhong city in Northwest China's Shaanxi province – and marks an example of the growing friendship between the two sies.

The Ningqiang pony is a national-level genetic resource protected species recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, being a rare and endangered pony species.

After over two decades of protection, the population of the pony continues to increase. In March, the Chongchuan district culture and tourism bureau visited the national Ningqiang pony conservation farm and held talks on introducing the protected ponies to Chongchuan.

In late April, accompanied by Ningqiang thoroughbred breeding center director Yong Xingyu, 12 healthy and lively ponies arrived at their new home in the Nantong Forest Safari Park.

Xie Xiaobing, executive deputy head of Chongchuan district, offered his congratulations on the launch of the Ningqiang pony park and said that the new residents would be taken good care of and that the park would become a popular site in Nantong.