Heiyoushan Scenic Area is located in the northeastern suburbs of Karamay District, Karamay City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. The core feature of the scenic area is the Heiyoushan Hill formed by natural oil springs, serving as a witness to the history of the Karamay Oilfield. Heiyoushan has an altitude of 132 meters, a relative height of 13 meters, and covers an area of approximately 0.2 square kilometers. The scenic area contains multiple oil pools and springs, with the largest oil pool covering about 2,000 square meters. The oil springs flow year-round, with a daily oil output of approximately 100 cubic meters. The area also features facilities such as the Petroleum Industry History Exhibition Hall and monuments, integrating natural landscapes with industrial culture.
History and Culture
Heiyoushan is the birthplace of the Karamay Oilfield. "Karamay" means "black oil" in Uyghur, named after the natural oil in Heiyoushan. As early as the early 20th century, local residents discovered oil outcrops in Heiyoushan and used crude oil for lighting and lubricating wheels. In 1955, a geological exploration team drilled the first oil well in Karamay—the Ke-1 Well—near Heiyoushan, marking the birth of the Karamay Oilfield. Heiyoushan thus became an important historical landmark in the development of China's petroleum industry. To commemorate this history, the Ke-1 Well Monument is erected in the scenic area, recording the arduous journey and brilliant achievements of the Karamay Oilfield's development.
Main Attractions
Heiyoushan Hill
Heiyoushan Hill is the core landscape of the scenic area, formed by the accumulation of natural oil seepage, appearing as a black hill. Dozens of oil springs are distributed on the hill, with the most famous being the "Lao-1 Well" spring, the site of the Ke-1 Well. Sticky crude oil can be seen continuously welling up around the spring, creating a unique petroleum landscape. The hill also preserves early oil mining equipment and relics, showcasing the original style of the Karamay Oilfield's development.
Petroleum Industry History Exhibition Hall
The exhibition hall displays the entire process of the Karamay Oilfield's discovery and development through a large number of physical objects, pictures, and written materials. It exhibits early exploration instruments, mining equipment, petroleum products, etc., systematically introducing petroleum geological knowledge, oilfield development technologies, and the Karamay Oilfield's important contributions to national energy construction. It serves as an important window to understand the history of China's petroleum industry.
Oil Pool Landscape
The scenic area has multiple natural oil pools of varying sizes, with the largest covering about 2,000 square meters. The crude oil in the pool is dark brown, with bubbles floating on the surface, emitting a unique petroleum odor. Viewing walkways and guardrails are set around the pools, allowing visitors to observe the natural state of crude oil up close and experience the wonderful combination of nature and industrial civilization.
Food
Xinjiang Roasted Buns
Made with mutton and onions as the main fillings, wrapped in unleavened dough, and baked on the walls of a nang pit. The crust is crispy, the filling is tender, and the soup overflows when bitten, exuding the fresh aroma of mutton and the fragrance of onions. It is one of the characteristic snacks in Xinjiang.
Nang (Uyghur Bread)
A traditional Xinjiang pasta made from wheat flour or corn flour, with toppings like sesame and onions, baked in a nang pit. Nang has a crispy and chewy texture, suitable for direct consumption or pairing with mutton soup and milk tea. With various types, it is a staple food for local residents.
Yogurt
Xinjiang-style yogurt is made from fresh milk through fermentation, with a thick texture, moderate acidity, and rich milk aroma. It can be drunk directly or seasoned with honey and raisins, providing a cool and refreshing taste with high nutritional value.
Admission
The admission fee for Heiyoushan Scenic Area is 40 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "世界石油地质奇观克拉玛依黑油山" to get the latest updates. As of May 22, 2025, the online ticketing function of this official account is unavailable.
Opening Hours
Open daily from 9:30 to 21:30. Specific hours are subject to the scenic area's announcement.
Tour Route
It is recommended to start at the scenic area entrance and head to Heiyoushan Hill to visit the site of the Ke-1 Well and the oil spring landscape, observing the natural phenomenon of crude oil welling up close; then walk to the Petroleum Industry History Exhibition Hall to learn about the development history of the Karamay Oilfield through the exhibits; finally, stroll along the viewing walkways to explore the oil pool landscape and admire the unique petroleum geological scenery. The entire tour takes about 1-2 hours, with more time available for those interested in the exhibition hall.
Transportation
- Bus: Take Karamay City Bus Routes 1, 10, 101, etc., get off at the "Heiyoushan" station, and walk to the scenic area.
- Self-driving: Navigate to "Heiyoushan Scenic Area," with parking lots available for convenient parking.
- Taxi/Ride-hailing: Take a taxi or ride-hailing vehicle within the urban area and tell the driver to go to Heiyoushan Scenic Area, with a driving time of about 10-15 minutes.
Must-See Attractions
- Heiyoushan Hill: The birthplace of the Karamay Oilfield, where visitors can view natural oil springs and early oil mining relics, experiencing the historical heritage of the petroleum industry.
- Ke-1 Well Monument: The site of Karamay's first oil well, symbolizing the starting point of oilfield development and of great historical significance.
- Petroleum Industry History Exhibition Hall: A systematic overview of the development history of China's petroleum industry, rich in exhibits, suitable for science enthusiasts and history buffs.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended to visit in summer (June-August) or autumn (September-October) when the climate is more suitable, avoiding the severe winter cold.
- When visiting the exhibition hall, follow a guide to learn the detailed history and enhance the tour experience (advance reservation of guiding services is required).
- The scenic area has many mosquitoes in summer, so bring mosquito repellent; strong ultraviolet rays require sun protection measures.
Notes
- Some areas in the scenic area have slippery floors; pay attention to safety when visiting oil springs and pools, and do not approach unguarded areas.
- The odor of crude oil is strong; sensitive individuals can wear masks.
- Protect cultural relics and facilities in the scenic area; do not touch or climb equipment around oil springs.
- Abide by the exhibition hall's visiting regulations and respect areas where photography is prohibited.