Karamay, Xinjiang

Black Gold Peaks: Exploring the Ancient Natural Asphalt Mounds of Heiyoushan

Altitude

420m

ℹ️

About This Attraction

1.Black Oil: Mountain, known in Chinese as Heiyoushan, is a globally rare natural geological wonder located approximately 2 kilometers northeast of the Karamay city center. Unlike typical mountain ranges, this site consists of low mounds formed by the natural seepage of crude oil from deep underground over a period of one hundred million years. As the volatile components of the oil evaporated over eons, the remaining heavy bitumen merged with sand and soil to form a landscape of pitch-black asphalt mounds that appear like a pulse of the earth frozen in time.

The site holds immense historical and cultural significance as the "Mother of Karamay," representing the very origin of the "Oil City". It was here that a Kyrgyz nomad first discovered the thick oil and used it as a lubricant for his carts, and more pivotally, it led to the breakthrough of Karamay No. 1 Well on October 29, 1955. This event marked the discovery of the first major oilfield since the founding of New China, transforming a desolate desert where "no grass grew and no water flowed" into a modern industrial hub.

2.Visitors to: Heiyoushan can experience a surreal environment where dark, viscous oil pools continue to bubble with natural gas. A network of wooden walking trails allows travelers to navigate between the mounds and observe the raw, unrefined petroleum seeping through the earth. The sight of the rhythmic "nodding donkey" pumping units against the backdrop of these ancient mounds provides a powerful visual metaphor for the transition from natural mystery to industrial mastery. From the summit of the mounds, one can capture the striking contrast between the primordial black slopes and the distant, vibrant skyline of Karamay, embodying the profound connection between the earth's resources and human development.

✨ Why Visit Black Oil Mountain (Heiyoushan)

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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 4 nearby attractions within 50km

📍 Karamay, Xinjiang • 🏔️ 420m elevation

Frequently Asked Questions - Black Oil Mountain (Heiyoushan) Travel Guide

is situated just 2 kilometers northeast of the Karamay city center. What is the altitude of the site?

Heiyoushan sits at an elevation of approximately 800 meters.

What created the black mounds?

They.

is the origin point for the Karamay Oilfield, specifically where the groundbreaking No. 1 Well was discovered in 1955. Are there walking paths for visitors?

Yes, the site features wooden walking trails and a commemorative monument built in 1982.

✨ Why Visit Black Oil Mountain (Heiyoushan)

✦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