Chongqing - The iron and steel industry is vital to the national economy and serves as a cornerstone for the country. On September 25, the high-quality development research tour visited the Chongqing Industrial Museum in Dadukou District.
A massive 8,000-horsepower steam engine at the entrance grabs attention, immediately captivating all who arrive.
A massive 8,000-horsepower steam engine at the entrance of the Chongqing Industrial Museum. (Photo/Chen Zhan)
"Don't underestimate this machine; it was used to pave China's first railway connecting Chengdu and Chongqing," a staff member told reporters.
In addition to the steam engine, the Chongqing Industrial Museum displays industrial exhibits featuring relics from the former Chongqing Iron and Steel Plant, which was vital to China's steel production and railway development.
The Chongqing Industrial Museum was originally the Chongqing Iron and Steel plant, which was first built in 1938 and saw rapid expansion in the latter half of the twentieth century. The factory retired in 2010, following decades of service and a local decline in the steel industry.
"This place holds the memories of several generations. My wife, son, and I all worked there," said 77-year-old Xiang Deyu, a retired cadre from the company's office.
77-year-old Xiang Deyu is a retired cadre from the Chongqing Iron and Steel Plant. (Photo/Chen Zhan)
In 2011, the steel production line in the old factory area in the district was officially shut down. Today, this area has been transformed into a museum, attracting visitors from across the country.
Xiang believes that converting the factory site into a museum preserves historical memories for future generations. "This is something that every age must experience," he remarked, suggesting that closing the plant represents not a decline but a shift to a new mode of development.
The Chongqing Industrial Museum attracted foreign friends to visit. (Photo/Chen Zhan)
This museum has also impressed visitors from other regions. Zhou Ziyuan, a reporter from Workers' Daily, noted that the country currently lacks many industry-themed museums, especially those dedicated to iron and steel.
"I believe this museum in Chongqing does an excellent job of conserving original machines and sites, allowing visitors to experience the environment where workers once toiled," Zhou said. "It also embodies the spirit of the working class."
On that day, the reporter also met a group of international visitors at the museum. "This is my first visit to the museum," said a Cuban student studying in Chongqing. I think this place is a great showcase of how China developed its railways through technology. It represents progress not just for Chongqing but for China as a whole."
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