Keketuohai National Mining Park is located at No. 9 Jianshe Road, Keketuohai Town, Fuyun County, Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is the first national mining park in Xinjiang and a 4A-level scenic area. The park covers a total area of 26.91 square kilometers, with a core scenic area of 1.78 square kilometers. The scenic area focuses on displaying human mining heritage landscapes, embodying the historical connotation of mining development, and serves as a characteristic industrial and red tourism attraction integrating sightseeing, scientific investigation, and scientific knowledge popularization.
Historical Culture
The mining development history of Keketuohai can be traced back to the 1930s. The No. 3 ore vein discovered at that time is a rare large-scale rare metal granite pegmatite deposit in the world. From 1950 to 1998, the No. 3 ore vein in Keketuohai became a modern large-scale open-pit mining site and the largest rare lithium, beryllium, tantalum, and niobium concentrator in China, laying the foundation for the development of China's rare metal industry. During its heyday, Keketuohai was known as the "Little Shanghai" in the West. Its mineral resources made indelible contributions to the research and development of the "Two Bombs, One Satellite" and the repayment of Soviet foreign debts, earning it many reputations such as the "Meritorious Mine" and "Hero Mine."
The Keketuohai Geological Exhibition Hall was originally a staff club built in the 1950s. It is a typical Russian-style building and an important part of Keketuohai's historical culture. Currently, it is the best-preserved Russian-style building in Xinjiang and is a cultural relic protection unit at the autonomous region level.
Main Attractions
No. 3 Ore Vein
The No. 3 ore vein, also known as the No. 3 mining pit, is called the "Treasure Bowl," "Meritorious Mining Pit," "Hero Mine," and "Natural Mineral Museum." It is 250 meters long, 240 meters wide, and about 140 meters deep, with 13 layers of ore transportation roads, shaped like an inverted straw hat or a Roman colosseum. Among the 140 known minerals in the world, the No. 3 ore vein contains 86, making it a classic mining area for Chinese and foreign scientists to study granite pegmatites and rare metal ores.
Ayiguz Mine Cave
The Ayiguz Mine Cave is located 500 meters south of the No. 3 ore vein in Keketuohai and was discovered by local miner Ayiguz Shalim in 1949. The cave is more than 800 meters long, with more than a dozen large and small intersecting or connected mining chambers, like an underground maze. The cave maintains a constant temperature of 0°C throughout the year, and the sculpture group inside restores the daily labor scenes of miners at that time.
Keketuohai Geological Exhibition Hall
The Keketuohai Geological Exhibition Hall was renovated from a 1950s Soviet-style building. On the second floor of the hall, there are more than 100 various ore specimens, such as tantalum-niobium single crystal ore, "Ashan Ore," and beryl. The hall also displays photos and old artifacts, elaborately showcasing the historical process of Keketuohai from the 1930s to the transformation and development of the Keketuohai independent industrial and mining area in 2013.
Food
Hand-Grabbed Mutton
Local fresh mutton is selected, cooked in large pieces with bones in a big pot, and served with onions and carrots. The meat is tender and delicious, a characteristic local dish.
Kazakh Milk Tea
A traditional Kazakh beverage, made by boiling brick tea into strong tea, mixing it with fresh cow or goat milk, and adding appropriate salt. It has a rich flavor and high nutrition, providing warmth and refreshment during sightseeing.
Barbecued Mutton Skewers
Fresh mutton is cut into small pieces, skewered on iron sticks, grilled over charcoal, and sprinkled with seasonings like cumin and chili powder. The exterior is golden brown, the interior is tender, and the aroma is inviting.
Tickets
The adult ticket price is 78 yuan. Please refer to the actual price at the scenic area.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "可可托海稀有金属国家矿山公园" to get the latest updates. As of May 19, 2025, this public account does not offer online ticket purchasing.
Opening Hours
Open from 09:00 to 20:00 in summer and from 10:30 to 18:00 in winter.
Tour Routes
After entering the scenic area gate, first go to the viewing platform to overlook the No. 3 mining pit and take photos. Then take the scenic area shuttle bus to the entrance of the Ayiguz Mine Cave, put on a safety helmet and winter clothes, and enter the cave for a guided tour (approximately 40 minutes). After visiting the cave, go to the Keketuohai Geological Exhibition Hall to learn about Keketuohai's mining history and ore specimens.
Transportation
- Aviation: Arrive at Fuyun Keketuohai Airport via flights from Urumqi-Fuyun, Aksu-Fuyun, and Chengdu-Xining-Fuyun.
- Train: Take the K9735 Urumqi-Fuyun train.
- Road: From Urumqi, take the S11 Wuda Highway and arrive at Fuyun County in about 4 hours, then proceed to Keketuohai National Mining Park.
Must-See Attractions
- No. 3 Ore Vein: A grand-scale landmark with abundant mineral resources, offering a shocking view of mining.
- Ayiguz Mine Cave: Experience the internal structure of the mine and miner life firsthand, with vivid sculptures depicting mining history.
- Keketuohai Geological Exhibition Hall: A uniquely styled building with rich ore specimens and historical materials, ideal for in-depth understanding of Keketuohai's mining development.
Tour Tips
- When visiting the Ayiguz Mine Cave, prepare winter clothes or down jackets due to low temperatures inside (even in summer). Military coats can be rented at the entrance if needed.
- Bring photography equipment to capture the natural scenery and unique mining relics.
- As catering facilities are limited in the scenic area, bring snacks and drinking water to replenish energy and hydration.
Notes
- Comply with the regulations of the scenic area, do not touch mineral specimens and underground facilities at will, and take care of the environment in the scenic area.
- Pay attention to safety in areas like the mine cave and viewing platform, and follow staff instructions.
- Respect local customs and ethnic cultures.