China's Coal Base Opens Mine to Tourists

China's Coal Base Opens Mine to Tourists

A leading coal production base in north China's Shanxi Province, Datong city, has opened one of its largest coal mines to tourists so that they can witness the entire mining process and experience a miners' life.

The Jinhuagong mine has been in operation for 48 years, covering more than 40 square kilometers.

A mine official says they have opened up a platform 300 meters underground, where tourists can study the geological structure of the mine and see what coal was like back in the Jurassic period, 140 million years ago.

Many travel services have included the underground tour as a new highlight in their plans outlined for domestic and overseas tour groups to Shanxi Province.

Dubbed as China's coal capital, Shanxi province is the country's largest coal producer and one of its major electric power bases.