In 1964, when Karamay’s oil production industry was still in its infancy, as many as 300 oil workers lived in 101 rudimentary cave dwellings.

The workers lived, worked and studied in the mud-built dwellings during the early stage of oilfield exploitation.

The majority of the dwellings fell into disrepair, but two of them were recently renovated and revealed to the public at an unveiling ceremony on Nov 24.

Over 100 officials and employees from the Xinjiang Oilfield Co attend the unveiling ceremony of the 101 Cave Dwelling Relics. [Photo/kelamayi.com.cn]

An exhibition pavilion has been built on the site of the dwellings, spanning almost 16,000 square meters on the site of Xinjiang Oilfield, which is owned by PetroChina, China’s largest oil and gas producer and distributor. Some 298 collections recording valuable memories of the last generation of oilmen are displayed.

Staff members visit the new-built exhibition pavilion where displays 298 collections recorded valuable memories of the last generation of oilmen. [Photo/kelamayi.com.cn]

Guo Zhongjun, deputy Party secretary of Xinjiang Oilfield said the dwellings and relics are a reminder of the hard pioneering days of China’s oil industry and spirit of hard struggle which inspired generation after generation of oilmen.

“The reopening of the cave dwelling relics has great influence on uniting employees from different ethnic groups and boosting our company’s steady development,” said Guo.

Life of oilmen in 1964 is reappeared through bronze statues. [Photo/kelamayi.com.cn]

Edited by Jacob Hooson