Very dangerous (risk of collapse, hornets, aggressive dogs, snakes)
The most impressive part of the mines is the transport system, which can be seen from afar. The entrance is somewhat difficult to find. It is a vast, branching complex, and the two towers are visible from a distance.
(These are parts of the machine hall for the ropeway and the storage area for the stones before transportation.)
The stones were transported via two systems: Conveyor belts in the upper part and a rope way car system. The latter stretched across the entire mountain range all the way to the road leading to Jhudong. Today, the rope ways have been dismantled, with only two single masts remaining.
Now, I finally made it. At the end of the building complex was the loading facility for the trucks. Here, the heavy stones were unloaded and crushed. The facility is still well preserved. You can see all the warning signs and the heavy machinery.
This is where the stones were loaded and crushed. Water had to be added to reduce the dust. Now, you have to climb around the building to reach the basement. There you are.
The site is heavily overgrown, and rust is making it increasingly dangerous. Unfortunately, the facility is clearly visible for over 100 meters, and voices could be heard.
And here is an overview of the facility.
The last remaining pylons of the cable cars directly below.
The last preserved transport cart in a school.
I needed 15 months to find this entrance, on the lowest level of the mines.
(Copyright Claudius Petzold)
