New focus will help create jobs and restore environment while recalling former industry

A 3-kilometer Tunnel of Love near Klevan, Ukraine, regarded as one of the most romantic spots in the world for lovers, carries a tale of how a sincere wish made by a couple walking beneath its heavy arches of leaves is likely to come true.

Chinese lovers need not travel so far to get a similar, and no less romantic, experience.

In Heshan, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, the local tourism administration has transformed a 7-km length of rail into a green and flowery tunnel, luring tourists with pedal-powered carts that run along the tracks.

Unlike the rail in Klevan, which is still used by trains that chug through it three times a day to deliver factory wood, the rail in Heshan was discontinued in 2010 after seven decades of transporting coal out of the once-thriving mining city. Built in 1941, the line connecting Heshan with the nearby city of Laibin was the first in the region.

Heshan once boasted a coal reserve of about 600 million tons. But by 2009, it had exhausted its coal resources, leaving a high level of joblessness and a hollow underground that posed significant geological risks.

In an effort to restore the environment and create jobs, the government decided to transform the core mining area of 264 square kilometers into a mining museum and park, where residents can recall the city's past and give visitors a glimpse of its former life and culture.

"We need to grow a green industry for revenue that will continue to help restore our environment," said Mo Lian, Party chief of Heshan. "Developing tourism is the best answer."

Tourist facilities have been planned for the area's more than 300 mining sites, some of which date back more than 100 years, and its more than 100 km of underground mining tunnels. A 28-km rail section including the flowery portion, Mosaid.

Qin Xiaodan, an official from Heshan's tourism bureau, said the government has invested nearly 10 million yuan ($1.5 million) to transform the flowery rail tunnel. Plants and flowers were grown along the tracks spanning six meters from end to end, supported by colorful arches.

The pedal-powered vehicles run along the tracks at a maximum speed of 30 km/h have been introduced to attract leisure visitors. Two tourists trains also are planned for operation by early February, Qin said.

Since its completion in late December, the rail has attracted nearby visitors, but the local authority aims to attract more from farther away.

Liu Sunying, 25, who lives in Gucheng village near the rail, said it provided a perfect backdrop for her wedding photos.

"I couldn't think of any other place that could serve as better setting," Liu said. "The rail is both real and romantic. It reminds me of my childhood and hometown. It has taken on a new life, much as I have after getting married."

Liang Shilian, a nearby resident, said her 65-year-old father had been a miner for 30 years, but had seldom visited the area since the mines stopped operating.

"I'm glad that they are restoring the area and the rail," Liang said. "I grew up seeing the trains chugging along with coal on the rails. It was kind of sad to hear it getting quiet."

She has become a frequent visitor to the rail and usually brings her children.

"I talk to them about the rail and how it became a lifeline for the city and our family in the past century," Liang said. "I want them to remember that we are the offspring of miners, which we should be proud of."

Contact the writers through huoyan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 01/06/2016 page7)