SuiChang Gold Mine National Park is a must-visit attraction in SuiChang, known for its long history of gold mining. It was one of China’s significant silver-producing areas during the Ming Dynasty. The park’s historical significance and the mystique of the gold smelting process attract many visitors who wish to explore its secrets. Here, you can venture into ancient mine tunnels and even experience the life of a miner, tasting the sweetness of gold panning. The mere theme of a ‘Golden Journey’ is enough to stir excitement.
Upon entering the park, turn right and you will find a small train platform, Nan Yue Tai, located on a picturesque hillside. You can take the yellow ‘Golden Journey’ train to the Ming Dynasty gold mine site, feeling how miners of that era would have used the mine’s train to transport ore into the gold mining operation area, which is quite fascinating. The train travels in the dark for about 5 minutes before reaching the mining tunnel, after which you can explore on foot. This section is a Ming Dynasty mine tunnel, with relief sculptures on both sides of the tunnel walls depicting the ancient mining and mineral exploration scenes, allowing you to witness the ancient mining site and understand the ‘burning and blasting method’ used for mining. Even the mining disaster site is preserved, giving you insight into the hardships of mining at that time. At the end of the ancient mine tunnel, there is a short ‘time tunnel’ connecting the ancient mining area with the modern mining area on the other side. This brief passage feels like crossing centuries in just a few dozen meters, offering a unique experience. After exiting the mining tunnel and continuing forward, there is a section of the Tang Dynasty gold cave where you can descend into the mining tunnel. However, this part is relatively low and narrow, so it is necessary to wear a safety helmet to avoid injury. Leaving the mining tunnel, head straight to the gold panning pool. Staff here will pour crushed gold and silver into the pool, and visitors can squat by the pool with small basins to ‘pan for gold’ (20 yuan for half an hour). With some luck, you might find some small gold pieces, experiencing the scene of gold panning as it was back then. The tour ends at the Gold Museum, whose entire museum is golden in color, giving a dazzling feeling as soon as you enter. The exhibition hall is divided into two floors; the first floor features an extravagant experience project ‘Holding a Gold Brick,’ where for 10 yuan, you can hold a large gold brick weighing 25 jin (a traditional Chinese unit of weight). You can take photos for free with your own camera. Many people come here just to hold this piece of gold ore for good luck and prosperity. Next to ‘Holding a Gold Brick’ is a shop selling gold and silver jewelry made from the mine’s gold and silver production. The second floor displays information about gold knowledge and mineral specimens. There is also a mining disaster simulation room, a room with a slanted floor and sound effects that create the impression of a mining disaster, feeling quite realistic. Additionally, on the first floor, the vault door is guarded by armed security, so remember, holding a gold brick is fine, but do not take it away! The park is open all year round from 08:00 to 16:30. Children’s preferential policy: 1.Free for those under 2 meters (excluding 2 meters). Children between 1.2 meters (including 1.2 meters) and 1.5 meters (excluding 1.5 meters) enjoy preferential rates. Elderly people: Free for those aged 70 years old and above with senior citizen card or ID card. Preferential rates for those aged 60 years old (including 60 years old) to 69 years old (excluding 69 years old) with ID card or senior citizen card. Students: Enjoy preferential rates with student ID card. Disabled people: Free with disability certificate. Military personnel: Free with officer ID card and non-commissioned officer ID card. Teaching staff: Enjoy preferential rates with teacher ID card. Retired cadres: Free with retired certificate. Service facilities Parking lot: [Parking lot of Mine Park Scenic Area] Reference price: ¥10/time. Address: Huayuanling, Suichang. Parking spaces: 1400. Must-see tips: 1. The guided tour in the scenic area costs 80 yuan per session, and the tour duration is about 2.5 to 3 hours. 2. It is relatively cool inside the mine cave. It is best to wear more clothes.
