Houtong Miner’s Culture and History Museum
Updates : 2023-12-22
Popularity 647
Travel tips
- Explore an abundance of cultural and historical data, including various coal mining tools and old photos.
- Book a tour guided by old miners to gain a deeper understanding of the hardships during the coal mining years.
- A must-visit destination for railway enthusiasts! The Houtong Miner’s Culture and History Museum situated right next to the railway tracks offers visitors the opportunity to see trains passing through from time to time.
- Visit the Ruifang-Ruisan Coal Preparation Plant, Vision Hall, and miners' dormitory on the way to delve deeper into the mining culture of Houtong.
Introduction
Houtong was once a coal mining village with the highest coal production in Taiwan. During its heyday, over a thousand miners worked here, not only sustaining their families but also significantly contributing to the national economic development. This era, reliant on the coal mining industry, is undoubtedly a crucial part of Houtong's history. To preserve the historical legacy of Taiwan’s coal mining industry, retired miners gathered to establish the Houtong Miner’s Culture and History Museum at the site of the former Ruifang-Ruisan Coal Preparation Plant in 2019. Featuring the silhouettes of miners as its distinctive emblem, the Museum transports visitors back to Houtong's black gold era.
“Comply with safety regulations, ensure the safety of mining site”
“Steel cables need to be oiled, and couplers need to be properly connected”, and “Smoking in the pit is too scary as it harms oneself and others” – these types of safety slogans are prominently displayed throughout the Houtong Miner’s Culture and History Museum, reminding visitors about the dangers associated with coal mining work. The Museum showcases various items such as the "fire plate", which records miners' identities; the "coal plate" used to track miners’ mining performance; CO rescuers for self-rescue and aiding others; anti-dust masks; and a variety of digging tools. All these exhibits allow visitors to experience the determination and hardworking spirit of the miners.
The inheritance and extension of miners’ spirit
Houtong Miner’s Culture and History Museum aims to pass Houtong’s mining culture onto the future generations. The Museum displays various precious photos taken inside the pit, depicting the hardship and difficulty of mining work. Most of the tour guide volunteers are former miners who have worked in the pit. Through their explanations and guidance, the Museum strives to inherit and perpetuate the spirit of Houtong’s miners for future generations.
Services & Facilities
- Introductory Lecture
- Public Restroom
