Koktokay No. 3 Pit
可可托海三号矿坑
A spiral open-pit mine about 250 meters across, the centerpiece of the Koktokay National Rare Metals Mine Park and known in geological circles as the 'Sacred Pit.'
No. 3 Pit is the core mining area of the Koktokay rare metals mine. Ore haul roads spiral down in tiers around its rim. The pit is about 250 meters long, 240 meters wide and 200 meters deep. More than 80 minerals have been identified here, including lithium, beryllium, tantalum and niobium. The mine played a major role in China's 'Two Bombs, One Satellite' program and in repaying its foreign debt to the Soviet Union, earning it the nickname 'Meritorious Mine.' It is now a national mining park. Visitors can look down into the pit from a viewing platform and visit memorials and the old mining-area buildings. Admission is sold separately from the Grand Canyon scenic area and costs about 50 yuan. Allow 1 to 1.5 hours. The pit lies next to Koktokay Town and can be reached on foot or by taxi.
Opening hours
Approx. 09:30–19:30 (shorter in off-season)