The Mother Well: Discovering the Cradle of Karamay’s Petroleum Legend

Karamay No. 1 Well is the historical origin of Karamay, known as the "Oil City," and is located approximately 5 kilometers from the city center within the Black Oil Mountain (Heiyoushan) scenic area. It is revered as the "Mother Well" of the oil industry in New China, marking the transition from a barren desert where "no grass grows and no water flows" to a flourishing modern industrial city,. The site is a monument to the spirit of the pioneers who established the foundation for China's energy independence.

On October 29, 1955, the exploration team achieved a breakthrough when oil gushed from a depth of 620 meters at this specific location. This event signaled the discovery of the Karamay Oilfield, the first major oilfield found since the founding of the People's Republic of China. The site includes the original wellhead and a large commemorative monument, preserving the legacy of the "1219" drilling team who braved extreme conditions to find the "Black Gold",.

Visitors to the site can witness the "Walking" Pumping Machines (nodding donkeys) that continue to operate, symbolizing the continuous vitality of the oilfield. The surrounding landscape features the unique geological phenomenon of Black Oil Mountain, where crude oil naturally seeps to the surface, creating asphalt mounds and oil pools. The Karamay Exhibition Hall nearby further details the city's transformation and the heroic efforts of the oil workers.