CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- “Preserve the iron cast glamour of a city in the museum.” On September 25, 2024 “High-quality Development Research Tour” theme event in Chongqing visited Chongqing Industrial Museum, allowing participants to explore the century-long industrial history of the mountain city.

At the entrance, a large machine prominently captured everyone’s attention. “Don’t underestimate this machine. It’s an 8000HP dual-cylinder horizontal steam engine, our museum’s treasure. It successfully participated in the trial rolling of the first heavy rail since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, and the first independently built Chengdu-Chongqing Railway after the founding of the People’s Republic of China was also paved with this product”, a staff member explained.

Some retired workers from Chongqing Iron & Steel (Group) Co., Ltd. also shared stories about the company with the journalists. The 75-year-old Deng Shihui recalled that he entered the small blast furnace workshop right after graduating high school, it became the first steel plant of Chongqing Iron & Steel (Group) Co., Ltd.; and he was responsible for the transition from raw materials to molten steel.

“At that time, the process was very complex and physically demanding. The furnace temperatures were high, and everything except for the feed machine was done manually. Especially when the furnace door opened, hot air would hit you. Even in winter, my work clothes would get soaked with sweat several times! Unlike now, young steelworkers operate machines with computers,” Deng remarked.

“This place carries the memories of several generations. Some families have three generations working at Chongqing Iron & Steel (Group) Co., Ltd. Now that the factory site has been transformed into a museum. It preserves our historical memories and leaves a mark for future generations,” said Xiang Deyu, a retired cadre from the Management Office of Chongqing Iron & Steel (Group) Co., Ltd., who worked there from 1978 until 2007 after transferring from the military.

Chongqing Industrial Museum started construction in 2015 and opened on September 28, 2019. It has now become one of Chongqing’s ten landmark cultural facilities and a pilot project for the relocation and transformation of national old industrial bases. In recent years, the Museum has also developed an innovative, interactive, and themed exhibition system that includes the main exhibition hall, the “Steel Soul” Hall, and industrial exhibits and installations displayed in the industrial relic park, creating a comprehensive museum experience. (Translated by Vichy, Fathom Language Limited)