In the snow-covered expanses of China’s northern borderlands, an elite mounted police unit known as the ‘Gyrfalcon’ maintains vigilant watch over the Chenbarhu Banner Grassland. Established in 2015 as Hulun Buir’s first specialized equestrian police force in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, this dedicated team patrols an immense 18,600 square kilometers of terrain regardless of extreme weather conditions.
The unit’s specially trained horses, each undergoing rigorous six-month preparation programs, enable officers to navigate challenging landscapes inaccessible to conventional vehicles. Throughout their decade of service, these officers have endured both scorching summer ultraviolet exposure and winter temperatures plunging to minus 40 degrees Celsius while maintaining their protective duties.
Beyond their primary security functions, the Gyrfalcon team has expanded their community service to include traffic management near local schools and safely escorting children through snowbound streets. Their remarkable patrol mileage has surpassed 140,000 kilometers—equivalent to circling the Earth more than three times—while providing critical assistance to approximately 700 residents in emergency situations.
From remote grasslands to adjacent townships, this mounted police force has evolved into both a practical security solution and a powerful symbol of safety for the region’s herdsmen and communities throughout the year.