Iron Man Wang Jinxi Memorial Hall (Daqing)

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Wang Jinxi was born into a poor peasant family in 1923 and worked variously as a shepherd and coal-carrier during childhood. At the age of 15 he left home and headed to the oilfields in Yumen where joined the Communist Party. In 1960, Chairman Mao decided that China should step up domestic production and not to rely on foreign supplies. A team which included Wang Jinxi was sent to an untapped field in Yuman. The team worked in diabolical conditions, often in temperatures dropping as low as -30C for many days before finally striking oil and the field became operational. Later, he was honoured by Mao Zedong, who referred to him as a Pillar of the Industry. He was nicknamed the Iron Man for his great strength and perseverance, becoming a symbol of the working class in Mao's new China. In 1971, Daqing opened the Memorial Hall of Iron Man Wang Jinxi to honour his memory. There is a large statue at the main gate to the park, as well as three exhibition halls displaying Wang Jinxi's life story through pictures and articles.