The newly-refurbished Huangshi National Mine Park, a national AAAA-level scenic spot which used to be a century-old mine, has taken on a new look. Over 1,600 acres of Locust trees have been planted on rocks. China Central Television recently made a feature film to promote the park as a tourism destination to the entire country.
The Huangshi National Mine Park
If you are interested in geology and want to take a day trip around Wuhan, this would be well worth a visit.
A brief history
Some 128 years ago, Zhang Zhidong, the Governor-General of Huguang (today's Hubei and Hunan provinces) of the Qing Dynasty, chose the former site of Huangshi National Mine Park as the raw material base for the Hanyang Iron Works. The mine became China's first large-scale open-pit iron ore mine using modem machines.
The Daye Iron Ore Mine in 1942 Remake of the old photo
In 1952, the Chinese government rebuilt the Daye Iron Ore Mine (its name at that time). When put into operation in 1958, it became one of the top ten iron ore mines in the countryand was known as "the Storehouse of Wuhan Iron and Steel Corporation."
From 1958 to 2005, when open-pit mining ceased operation, its total yield of 134 million tons of iron ore ranked it as the number one pit in Asia.
The first pit in Asia
Known as "the first pit in Asia," the landscape of the mine park is a canyon-like landform with huge funnel-like holes. The mouth of the pit area is as large as 150 standard football fields, with a depth of 444 meters and a length of 2,200 meters.
The pit in Huangshi National Mine Park
Visitors can climb the mountain or drive to the pit. The more adventurous can go 138 meters down to the bottom of the valley for a deep-mine tour.
Oasis in Stone Sea
The mine park has built a 1,800-meter long plank road as a footpath in the canyon. Several sections have been carved out of the cliff-side rock. At the end of the path is an attraction called "Shihai lǜzhou" (Oasis in Stone Sea), which was originally a wasterock yard.
Oasis in Stone Sea
For environmental recovery, over 610 acres of locust trees have been planted by locals in the past 18 years. Now it has become the largest hard rock reclamation forest in Asia. From late April to early May each year, the Huangshi National Mine Park holds the Locust Tree Flower Tourism Festival, attracting visitors nationwide.
Mine Museum
Next to Zhang Zhidong Square is the first iron ore museum in China, with exhibitions relevant to mining activities.
Statue of Zhang Zhidong
It has a total of 483 items and 635 pictures on display. The historical texts are over 100,000 words long.
Mining Machine Expo
The Mining Machine Expo in the Huangshi National Mine Park showcases developments in the mining industry. It displays more than 10 different types of mining and transportation equipment such as a Soviet-made sledge machine.
There is a new sightseeing corridor in the eastern mining area.
Mine cars in the National Mine Park
Visitors can see the mine cars that shuttled back and forth, and learn about the mining process there.
Location： Route 8, Zhangzhidong Avenue, Tieshan District, Huangshi City, Hubei Province
Transportation： You can drive to the park or take a long-distance bus from Wuhan to Huangshi.
In Huangshi, take the No. 22 bus to Xinxialu Station and transfer to No.6 or No.11 bus, and get off at the entrance of Tieshan Huangshi National Mine Park.
Ticket Price： RMB 40
Executive Editor： XU Ying Intern Editor: MA Xu
