Beipiao

Beipiao, mining town, western Liaoning sheng (province), northeastern China. It is located northwest of Daling Stream and east of the Nuluerhu Mountains and is the site of a coal combine. The vertical shafts, which extend nearly 3,280 feet (1,000 metres) into the ground, are among the deepest mines in China. They produce coking coal from a southwestern extension of the Fuxin basin. There are gold and iron mines in the vicinity as well. The presence of the coal-mining industry has urbanized an area of formerly small mountain villages. A county was set up for the area in 1946 and a city in 1985. Factories for food processing and for manufacturing machinery, textiles, chemicals, and building materials have been established. A branch rail line in western Liaonong connects the city with major railways in the province. Pop. (2002 est.) 203,192.