The vast Nanhua mountain range in northwestern China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region was pictured recently shrouded in dense, rolling clouds.

The mountain range is an important ecological barrier against drought and desertification.
Since a national nature reserve was established in the area in 1993, the forest coverage in the area has increased from under 10 percent to over 30 percent, with 95 percent of the reserve covered by different types of vegetation.
The increased greenery has helped protect water sources in the mountains, leading to higher humidity and the more frequent appearance of stunning cloudscapes.