China Coal Museum Taiyuan - Underground Mine Tour & Coal History Exhibits

The Coal Museum of China is a national hub that collects, studies, and shares everything about coal history, artifacts, specimens, papers, and mining culture. It educates visitors, promotes exchange, and advances research on coal technology, resource use, mine protection, and the spirit of the industry.

Quick Facts

Chinese Name：中国煤炭博物馆 Zhōng Guó Méi Tàn Bó Wù Guǎn
Recommended Duration: 2-3 hours
Entrance Fee: RMB 60，Underground mine experience requires additional safety guidance and interpretation services:
Chinese interpretation: 50 RMB for groups of 5 people or less (including 5). For each person over 5, add 10 RMB per person. Each person gets a receiver. Each group is limited to 15 people.
Chinese designated interpretation: Visitors can choose the interpreter. 100 RMB for groups of 5 people or less (including 5). For each person over 5, add 20 RMB per person. Each person gets a receiver. Each group is limited to 15 people.
English interpretation: 300 RMB. Each person gets a receiver (maximum 15 receivers). Each group is limited to 15 people.
Opening Hours: 9:00-16:30，the mining experience is 9:00-17:00
Best time to visit: March-September
Address: No. 2 Yinzexi Street, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province
How to get there: From the train station, you can take bus routes 1, 859, 611, 618, 618 branch, or 308. Get off at Yingze Bridge West Station and walk to the Coal Museum of China.

Highlights of the Coal Museum of China

Exhibition Hall Introduction

The main displays of the Coal Museum of China follow the "Seven Halls and One Mine" plan, consisting of seven exhibition halls and one simulated mine for underground mining experiences. Currently open to the public are the Formation of Coal Hall, Coal and Human Hall, Coal Art Hall, Coal Literature Hall, and the Simulated Mine. These halls present stories of Earth, coal, and history through two main themes. One theme shows how coal was made over millions of years as the Earth changed. The other theme explores how people found, used, and depended on coal through time, showing how coal and human civilization are connected.

Exploring Coal Mining

The Coal Museum of China 's main draw is "Exploring the Coal Mining," Asia's biggest underground mine replica. Using advanced technology, this exhibit mixes learning with fun by recreating real mining scenes. Visitors can put on real miners' helmets and go through the tunnels. Visitors will ride mine carts on tracks, move under strong beams, and watch coal being mined. This hands-on tour gives people a special look at how coal mining works.

Shanxi Ancient Wall Paintings Museum

The Shanxi Ancient Mural Hall uses a unique ‘collotype’ reproduction technique to display ancient murals scattered throughout Shanxi Province, such as those in Yongle Palace, in their original size, colour and form. These murals date back more than 2,000 years and are of great historical, cultural and artistic value.

Educational Value

The Coal Museum of China uses immersive displays and interactive technology to systematically showcase the geological miracle of coal's evolution from ancient plants into a mineral, the technological leap from traditional manual mining to modern intelligent production, and the real-life scenes and safety standards of miners working underground. This helps visitors gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between coal and human civilisation, while also learning about cutting-edge knowledge on green coal mining and low-carbon utilisation in the context of the clean energy transition.

Activities to do at the Coal Museum of China

Exploring Coal Mining : The Coal Museum of China has the largest underground simulated mine in Asia, and uses an 800-meter real-life route to present the changes in coal mining technology from ancient times to the present, allowing visitors to experience the mining process firsthand and gain a deep understanding of the development of China's mining industry.

Jet Crafts: Jet has bright asphalt and metallic luster, is black, dense, and has great toughness. It is often used to make sculptures. The China Coal Museum sells handicrafts made of jet, including seals, small sculptures, etc., which are of great commemorative significance. You can buy them according to your needs.

By Kristen Qin
Web Editor