A once-thriving mine in east China's Jiangsu Province has been transformed into a deep and blue diving spot, standing as a testament to the country's environmental rehabilitation efforts.
At the Xiangshan National Mine Park in Jiangsu's Xuyi County, the high and low peaks of mountains, platforms and steep shale cliffs, together with the naturally pooled sapphire-blue lake, create a unique and pleasant landscape.
With water depths of over 50 meters and a visibility of up to 20 meters, the park, on the bank of the Huaihe River, has become an unexpected diving paradise. But this striking transformation did not happen overnight.
"Xuyi County has a long history of mining. Mining activities at this pit date back hundreds of years. They have resulted in different degrees of damage to the ecological environment. In 2001, the county took ecological restoration as a development strategy and began mine treatment. Later, we applied for the designation of 'national mining park' and have kept investing in it. The government and local enterprises have invested more than 60 million yuan (about 8.44 million U.S. dollars) in the comprehensive management of the mine," said Du Kui, deputy director of Xuyi County Natural Resources and Planning Bureau.
The official said that the steep and nearly vertical slopes there made the construction challenging, and they had to overcome difficulties to get the job done.
"The main restoration method involved cutting into the rock and planting drought and cold-tolerant trees on the slopes. In the early days, most of the digging and planting was done by hand, bit by bit. That's why it's a miracle that pine trees are now growing on these hillsides,”said Du.
A national freediving depth tournament was held at the park in August 2024. The Aquatic Sports Management Center of the national sports administration expressed hope of making Xuyi a training and competition base for freediving sports in China.
High water quality and convenient supporting facilities has made the park one of the top destinations for Chinese diving enthusiasts.
"From my personal experience, this is the best dive site in inland areas of China. There are no complexities like reefs or water plants at the bottom of the lake, and the water is smooth and free of complex weather, making it a very safe area for divers,”said Yao Pengfei, a diver.
"The water quality here is very good, because it is in a park, unlike some outdoor areas where there is a lack of management and then the environment is less suitable. Here, the water quality is excellent and the surrounding facilities also make it easy for us to dive," said Han Le, another diver.
Local residents said they are also reaping the benefits of the transformation.
"In the past, the roads here were all stony, exposed soil could be seen everywhere, and dust would fly whenever the wind blew. The government has made efforts in the past few years to transform it into a park. Now, the mountains have turned green, and the roads have been laid with asphalt concrete. As nearby residents, we can bring our children here to enjoy the weekends. The environment has improved a lot," said Wang Huajun who lives on Xucheng Street.
Chinese county turns mining legacy into freediving paradise
