Beijing, May 16 (Youth.cn) - On May 14, 2025, the Cold Lake Petroleum Industrial Ruins in Haixi Mongol and Zang Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, stand as a silent witness to China’s industrial past. Located in Lenghu Town, Mangya City, the site was established in 1958 as part of the Cold Lake Oilfield - once one of China’s "Four Major Oilfields" and a critical crude oil production and supply base on the Qingzang Plateau during the 1950s-1960s, accounting for approximately 12% of the nation’s total output at its peak.

Since 1992, following the relocation of Qinghai’s petroleum industry eastward, the Cold Lake industrial complex gradually fell into abandonment. Today, its crumbling walls and rusted machinery stand isolated on the desolate desert, whispering tales of bygone prosperity. Recognized for its historical significance, the site was added to China’s Industrial Heritage Protection List (Second Batch) on April 12, 2019. In recent years, it has gained popularity as a tourist attraction, drawing increasing numbers of visitors to explore its hauntingly beautiful industrial relics. Photo/CFP