Tongling Jinniu Cave Ancient Mining Site

Tongling Jinniu Cave Ancient Mining Site

Tongling Jinniu Cave Ancient Mining Site is a national AA-level tourist attraction and a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

Introduction: Jinniu Cave Ancient Mining Site is situated in Fenghuang Village, Xinqiao Township, Tongling County, around 30 kilometers from the city center. Originally, this was a small hill with an ancient cave halfway up its slope. Legend has it that a heavenly ox descended to the mortal realm, fell in love with the beauty of Phoenix Mountain, and chose not to return. The Heavenly Emperor called for it time and again, but the ox tunneled into the mountain and transformed into gold, silver, and copper—thus giving the cave its name. Since the 1980s, local residents have conducted open-pit iron mining here. Over time, the hill was leveled, and continued excavation created a dozens-of-meters-deep open-pit mining site, exposing ancient mining tunnels and relics along the slopes. Judging from the cleared ancient mining structures, tools, and pottery household items, the Jinniu Cave site dates back to the Spring and Autumn Period. In 1992, the Tongling municipal government ordered a halt to iron ore mining in the area and carried out emergency restoration of Jinniu Cave. Ninety-two cement pillars were erected to encircle and protect the entire site. It became China’s second officially opened ancient copper mining site after the Tonglushan Ancient Copper Mine Site. The Jinniu Cave Ancient Copper Mining Site boasts abundant relics and a spectacular landscape. It has been designated as a Provincial-Level Cultural Relics Protection Unit and is recommended as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

Anhui Tongling City