Mining site Introduction
Located in Gongguan Kai-Kuan Village, it is the birthplace of petroleum in Taiwan. The earliest discovery of oil in Taiwan was in the 22nd year of the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty (1813 AD) at the site of "Chuhuang坑 Number 1 Well," which is about eighty meters to the right front of the main entrance of the Chuhuang坑 area and was the first well drilled by the Japanese. Due to the abundant oil source in Chuhuang坑, a total of 99 wells were drilled by the Japanese. The name Chuhuang坑 was given because the locals discovered a sulfur-colored liquid seeping from the ground and mistakenly thought it was sulfur; hence, it was named "Chuhuang坑." Chuhuang坑 is the earliest and most significant petroleum mining area in Taiwan, belonging geologically to an anticline structure, where the central part is the highest and both wings slope outward, containing the oil and gas sealed within the anticline structure, extracted via oil wells. The wings of the Chuhuang坑 anticline are composed of alternating layers of soft and hard sandstones and shales. The geological structure, strata, and paleobiological research in this area make it a typical location in Taiwan, essential for those studying geology to visit! The China National Petroleum Corporation also marked the geological strata of the Houlung Stream Valley in the southern part of this region along the highway, making it an excellent place for outdoor geological education. The Chuhuang坑 mining area is brilliantly lit at night, with lights shining brightly. To the left is a farm, creating an extremely beautiful landscape, earning it the nickname "Night Hong Kong."
