A green transformation story in northern Anhui — once a coal-mining city, now emerging as a sustainable urban centre with scenic lakes and growing industries.
Huaibei, located in the northernmost part of Anhui Province, is a city undergoing a remarkable transformation. For decades, it was known primarily as a coal-mining centre — the city's name literally means "North of the Huai River." The coal industry built Huaibei's economy but left environmental challenges including subsidence zones and polluted waterways. In recent years, Huaibei has reinvented itself. Former mining subsidence areas have been converted into scenic lakes and parks. Nanhu Wetland Park, the most prominent example, was once a collapsing coal mine zone and is now a 20-square-kilometre urban wetland with clear water, walking paths, and bird habitats. The city's industrial base is shifting from coal to advanced manufacturing, new materials, and green energy. Huaibei is also developing its logistics sector, leveraging its position near the borders of Jiangsu, Shandong, and Henan provinces. Despite its industrial past, Huaibei offers pleasant natural scenery. The surrounding hills provide hiking opportunities, and the many lakes created by subsidence remediation now form a green necklace around the city.
Huaibei's modern history is closely tied to coal. Large-scale coal mining began in the 1950s, and the city was formally established in 1960 to support the growing mining industry. For decades, Huaibei was one of China's important coal-producing regions. The 2000s brought challenges as coal reserves depleted and environmental degradation became apparent. The city government launched an ambitious transformation plan, investing in ecological restoration, infrastructure, and new industries. The most visible result is the conversion of subsidence zones into wetlands and parks — a process that has become a model for post-mining city regeneration across China.
Huaibei's economy is in active transition. While coal mining still contributes, its share has declined substantially. The city is developing alternative industries including new materials, advanced manufacturing, and green energy. Food processing is a growing sector, leveraging the agricultural output of the surrounding plains. Logistics is expanding due to Huaibei's location at the intersection of Anhui, Jiangsu, Shandong, and Henan. Eco-tourism is an emerging industry, with Nanhu Wetland Park and other restored landscapes attracting increasing numbers of visitors.
Discover the culinary treasures of Huaibei, from traditional street food to imperial cuisine.
Huaibei North Station serves the Huaibei-Xuzhou High-Speed Railway, reaching Xuzhou in 30 minutes and Beijing in about 3 hours.
City buses and taxis are available for local transport.
Available throughout the city
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