Another new tourist attraction in Taiwan is the Gold Ecological Park, which opened in Taipei County's Jinguashi in October of 2004.

Jinguashi was once a booming gold and copper mining town. However, times change and once prosperous industries fade. That doesn't mean that they no longer hold value. In 2002, Jinguashi was named a potential World Heritage site. As this park shows, old mining facilities can be transformed into a premier recreational destination, with many of the park's original buildings being re-used as exhibition space.

Gold Ecological Park Museum

The Gold Ecological Park museum once served as the office of the Taiwan Metal Mining Corp. It features exhibits on the development of Jinguashi's mining culture. Gold was discovered here in 1889, and the Ching Dynasty government set up a mining bureau between 1892 and 1893. However, in 1895, Taiwan was ceded to Japan, and Japan took over the mining operations. In 1905, copper was also discovered here and began to be extracted. 

      

Visitors can touch a 220kg gold brick and try their hand at panning for gold. There is also an area that presents one of this area's crueler eras, namely as a World War II POW camp. In 1942, the Japanese began to bring Allied POWs here from various parts of Southeast Asia. They were forced to work in the cooper mine as slaves, digging the ore in the lowest depths of the mine where the temperatures reached 40 degrees Celsius, with little food or rest. Many of the men died, and were replaced by men from other POW camps around Taiwan. In total 1,135 Allied POWs slaved in the Jinguashi mines during World War II.

Benshan Five Tunnels

Next to the museum, visitors can join a tour of the mining tunnels to learn firsthand the working conditions of miners in former times including how they extracted gold and transported it out of the mine.

It is interesting to note that the now modern restrooms next to the mine entrance were once where the miners showered after completing their shift.

Environmental Education Center

The Environment Education Center was created from one of Jinguashi's original buildings. Thus, it fits in well with the surrounding settlement with its sloping wood roof and stonewashed walls. It contains multimedia exhibits on the natural ecological environment and how the Jinguashi community of Japanese-style wood buildings was constructed to meet the local conditions.

Crown Prince Chalet

The Crown Prince Chalet was built was built to welcome a visit by the Japanese crown prince. Although he did not actually stay here, it still bears his title, and is the most representative example in Taiwan of a Japanese-style villa.

The landscaped gardens of this luxurious guest compound have been opened to the public. It is possible to peek inside the buildings from the gardens. Also make sure to visit the unique cement miniature golf course in back.

Gold Zen Temple

Above the Gold Ecological Park Museum is a steep path leading up to ruins of the Gold Zen Temple, which was built in 1897. Further up is a geological park. Although the climb is not easy, it is worth it for the spectacular views of the area and a close look at its unique geology.

     

Golden Fall

Ferric ions react with air. The resulting insoluble ferric ions precipitate out from the water and produce riverbed rocks that are yellowish-brown in color. On top of these rocks flows an undulating waterfall. The fall is located close to the roadway, so it may be tempting to put your hand in the water. Please refrain from doing so as it is heavily laden with metals and thus toxic.

Yinyan Sea

Acidic freshwater flows into weakly alkaline seawater near the coast, which decreases the ferric ion solubility. Yellowish iron hydroxide suspension is produced and floats on the blue surface of the ocean, creating a unique visual effect.

Ruins of Shisancheng (13-level) Ore Refinery

Overlooking the Yinyan Sea are the ruins of the abandoned Shisancheng Ore Refinery. Ore from Tunnel 1 to 6 was transported here to be pressed, heated and processed to produce 999/00 pure gold. This refinery operated from 1933 to 1987.

For more information about the 2004 Historical Buildings Tour to northern Taiwan go online to http://hbtravel.cca.gov.tw or call 0800-448-899.