Hundred-Mile Oilfield (Baijiantan District)

Karamay, Xinjiang

The Hundred-Mile Oilfield: A Grand Symphony of Steel and Energy in the Desert

Altitude

1,500m

ℹ️

About This Attraction

The Hundred-Mile Oilfield, located in the Baijiantan District of Karamay, is not a traditional natural landscape but a breathtaking "geological wonder" born from the union of human industry and the raw desert. As a core part of the Karamay Oilfield, it represents the cradle of the petroleum industry in the People's Republic of China, covering hundreds of square kilometers of the Junggar Basin. The site is famously described as a "steel forest," where the rhythmic movement of thousands of pumping units creates an industrial spectacle unlike any other in the world.

The visual impact of the oilfield is defined by the countless "nodding donkeys" (pumping units) that stretch toward the horizon, accompanied by a vast network of silver pipelines known as the "Iron Dragons". Historically, this area marks the location of the first major oil discovery after the founding of New China, specifically with the breakthrough at Well No. 1 on October 29, 1955. This event transformed a desolate wasteland, where "no grass grows and no water flows," into a thriving modern industrial oasis.

For travelers and photographers, the Hundred-Mile Oilfield offers a unique aesthetic of "wasteland grandeur". The contrast between the mechanical precision of the oil infrastructure and the vast, untamed desert creates a powerful narrative of resilience and progress. Traveling along the G217 highway or the Keba Highway, visitors are treated to an ever-changing panorama of industrial might that serves as a living monument to the spirit of the early oil pioneers who "made the desert bloom with black gold".

✨ Why Visit Hundred-Mile Oilfield (Baijiantan District)

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Ancient Natural Asphalt Mounds: Witness the unique geological phenomenon of black mounds created by crude oil seepage spanning a hundred million years

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Active Bubbling Oil Pools: Observe natural petroleum and gas rhythmically bubbling to the surface in deep, dark viscous pools

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Cradle of the Oil City: Stand at the historical birthplace of Karamay, where the discovery of "Black Gold" gave rise to a flourishing modern oasis

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Unique Industrial Photography: Capture the dramatic visual contrast between the primeval tar-like landscapes and the modern urban skyline of the Pamir foothills

Location & Nearby

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📍 Showing 6 nearby attractions within 50km

📍 Karamay, Xinjiang • 🏔️ 1500m elevation

Frequently Asked Questions - Hundred-Mile Oilfield (Baijiantan District) Travel Guide

is situated in the Baijiantan District of Karamay City, Xinjiang. What is the best time to visit?

The ideal months.

are May to June and September to October for the most stable weather and lighting. How high is the oilfield?

The area sits at an average altitude of approximately 300 meters above sea level.

Can I see the oil extraction process?

Yes, the entire field is an open industrial landscape where you can see pumping units in operation.

✨ Why Visit Hundred-Mile Oilfield (Baijiantan District)

✦Ancient Natural Asphalt Mounds: Witness the unique geological phenomenon of black mounds created by crude oil seepage spanning a hundred million years

✦Active Bubbling Oil Pools: Observe natural petroleum and gas rhythmically bubbling to the surface in deep, dark viscous pools

✦Cradle of the Oil City: Stand at the historical birthplace of Karamay, where the discovery of "Black Gold" gave rise to a flourishing modern oasis

✦Unique Industrial Photography: Capture the dramatic visual contrast between the primeval tar-like landscapes and the modern urban skyline of the Pamir foothills