Things don't operate the same as the rest of China there, and the pollution is horrific...
You may also get robbed by some of the locals!

Having taught in Baotou, I wouldn't single that city out as being particularly badly polluted, or any more dangerous for foreign teachers than many other Chinese cities.
What I will say is that winters there are extremely cold while summers are extremely hot, and it's a windy city. Msybe it should be twinned with Chicago, if it isn't already!