Mine gets a makeover

Passes built on the cliffs and a glass suspension bridge are among the highlights of Zhusha ancient town in Guizhou, which has turned from mercury mine site to a tourist hot spot.[Photo provided to China Daily]

Currently, many visitors come to get a glimpse of the mining days and to see Soviet-era structures, a town official says. A Russian restaurant is one of the highlights.

Meanwhile, the increasing popularity of the town has brought about positive changes in the lives of the locals.

One of them is Huang Yaping, who had to leave home with her husband to make a living after the mercury mine went bankrupt in 2001.

"Many of my colleagues left after the mine was shut," says Huang.

There were more than 30,000 people in the town when the mine was at its peak.

Huang returned to the town in 2008 and has run a small grocery business ever since.

Recounting her early struggles when she returned, she says: "First, we could barely keep our heads above water, but as our parents were getting older we could not work away from home."

Things, however, picked up after the refurbished town opened last year. "Now, we see people all over the place at weekends and during major holidays."

Tourism peaks from April to October, but there are also visitors in winter, says Huang.

Her shop sometimes makes more than 1,000 yuan a day now.

Huang also says she senses the popularity of the town through her WeChat account.

She regularly posts pictures and information about developments in Zhusha and many of her posts receive hundreds of responses.

Tourism has also created job opportunities, and many locals have taken up jobs in sanitation and security.