Heshan National Mine Park

Heshan National Mine Park

Heshan National Mine Park is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Guangxi Heshan National Mine Park was established under the initiative of the Autonomous Region People's Government, approved by the Ministry of Land and Resources, and built on the foundation of geological environment remediation. It integrates Heshan’s mining geological heritage, peculiar stone culture, natural scenery, and human history.

One: Park Introduction

Since the drilling of the “first coal mine shaft in Guangxi” at Heling Mountain in the 31st year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty (1905), Heshan has had over a hundred years of mining history, leaving behind a wealth of mining heritage. These mining relics carry rich historical and cultural significance as non-renewable and invaluable resources. Integrated with the surrounding natural and human environments, they form unique coal-mining cultural landscapes and natural ecological sceneries. Heshan National Mine Park was constructed on the basis of geological environment remediation, bringing together Heshan’s mining geological heritage, peculiar stone culture, natural scenery, and human history.

The construction of Heshan National Mine Park mainly includes the renovation and transformation of mining relics, road construction, the Coalfield Museum, comprehensive management of the coal gangue city, and the embellishment of visitor area buildings. The mine park is divided into coal production heritage areas, Heshan coalfield science education zones, pithead power plant areas, and treatment & restoration demonstration zones. Through the mine park, visitors can learn about the basics of the Heshan coalfield, revisit the history of coal mining across different periods in Heshan, and participate in energy conservation awareness. The park also popularizes scientific knowledge about coal exploration, mining processes, and various coal mining facilities. It promotes enhanced awareness of ecological and geological environmental protection.

Two: Cultural Landscapes

The Heshan Coalfield is located on the northeastern side of the Hongshui River in the southwest of Guangxi City. It is an inclined basin surrounded by karst peak forests, with a proven coal-bearing area of over 260 square kilometers and coal reserves of 670 million tons—accounting for more than one-third of Guangxi’s total and making it the largest coalfield in the region, known as the “Coal Capital of Guangxi.”

In the 1930s, renowned Chinese geologists such as Feng Jinglan, Le Senxun, and Zhang Wenyu conducted multiple geological and mineral surveys in Heshan, where they established the “Heshan Coal Measures.” Following revisions by Zhao Jinke and Li Siguang, the “Heshan Formation” stratigraphic unit was created.

The Heshan Formation of the Late Permian period is world-renowned for its sequence of coal seams interbedded within marine carbonate rocks. The region has experienced intense crustal uplift and subsidence, with long-term large-scale transgressions and regressions alternating over time. The sedimentary environment was extremely dynamic, and the hot climate accelerated the growth of dense forests on carbonate platforms and the rapid formation and decline of peat swamps, resulting in this rare coal-bearing stratum where multiple thin coal layers are sandwiched between limestone formations.

Heshan not only boasts abundant mining heritage but also features a wealth of natural and cultural landscapes that serve as the calling cards of this emerging industrial and mining city. The Hongshui River, which forms the western boundary of the mine park, boasts picturesque scenery with turbulent waves, numerous shoals, and fast-flowing waters. The river carries silt that polishes the stones in the riverbed, giving rise to the world-famous “Heshan Peculiar Stones.” Originally lifeless rocks are sculpted by the river into uniquely shaped, spirited stones, showcasing the marvels of nature. The elegant Yuping Mountain, the precipitous Zhai Mountain, and the mysterious Siyan Mountain are excellent spots for sightseeing and exploration. Meanwhile, the regionally distinctive Longwang Ancient Architectural Complex, folk cultural arts festivals, and traditional Zhuang and Yao wedding ceremonies represent invaluable cultural heritage preserved over centuries.

Within the planned 18.3-square-kilometer area of Guangxi Heshan National Mine Park, the types of mining heritage are abundant. Each type of relic is rare, typical, systematically complete, well-preserved, and of high scientific research value, laying a solid foundation for the establishment of a national mine park.

Three: Scenic Area Introduction

Based on the resource distribution of the Heshan coal mine, current mining conditions, and the demands of modern tourism, the mine park can develop a series of tourism routes including the “Heshan Ornamental Stone Culture Tour,” “Cultural Heritage Sacred Site Tour,” “Ethnic Culture Experience Tour,” and “Hongshui River Scenic Tour.” By deeply excavating, integrating, and enhancing the region’s mining culture, the park aims to create a high-quality destination that combines culture, ecology, and ancient mining heritage. Accordingly, Heshan Coal National Mine Park is planned with an overall layout of “one axis, two belts, and ten zones,” encompassing the main scenic spots and diverse tourism offerings.

One Axis: Based on the distribution of Heshan coal mine heritage and the city’s current transportation conditions, the “Mining Sightseeing Mini Train” serves as the axis, allowing visitors to tour mining heritage sites and local cultural landmarks along the way.

Two Belts: According to the existing layout of the park and market demand for tourism development, the Heshan National Mine Park features two longitudinal belts: the “Riverside Tourism Belt” and the “Science Education Belt.”

Ten Zones: Based on the spatial distribution of resources, the park is divided into ten functional zones: the Mining Heritage Landscape and Comprehensive Service Zone, Mining Humanities Landscape Zone, Mine Remediation Demonstration Zone, Mining Ruins Exploration Zone, Riverside Tourism and Entertainment Zone, Peculiar Stone Culture Exhibition Zone, Coal-Electricity Production Demonstration Zone, Ethnic Minority Culture Zone, Forest Vegetation Conservation Zone, and Ecological Agriculture Sightseeing Zone.

Guangxi Heshan National Mine Park Museum: The museum follows the principles of “unified planning, equal emphasis on protection and rational development & utilization, and step-by-step implementation.” Considering the typicality and representativeness of the mining heritage, as well as integration with surrounding resources and human landscape environments, the design pursues a coordinated, unified, fresh, and simple complex of three-dimensional geometric structures. Inspired by the mine carts used in mining operations, it serves as the iconic building of the mine park. The project covers an area of 10,551.2 square meters and is divided into seven functional zones, including the sandbox area, historical and cultural materials hall, mineral and ore hall, and mining heritage hall. As of November 2015, the first floor of the museum had been completed, the external scaffolding for the second floor had been erected, and the third-floor structure was expected to be completed by the end of 2015.

Four: Transportation Information

1. Starting from Heshan Bus Terminal, head east for 30 meters along Diannan Road, then enter Renmin Middle Road.

2. Drive 2.4 km along Renmin Middle Road, then go straight onto Renmin South Road.

3. Drive 1.1 km along Renmin South Road, then turn left.

4. Drive 660 m, then turn right slightly ahead.

5. Drive 380 m to reach the destination: Guangxi Heshan National Mine Park.

Five: Ticket Information

Ticket: 50 RMB per person, half price during the National Day holiday.