1 / 4Mining Heritage Centre, ELCHK Grace Youth Camp
📍 Ma On Shan, New Territories
Free weekend museum in a converted Lutheran church covering Ma On Shan's iron mining past. Exhibits include rock samples, geological data, and miner life displays. Open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays only.
A renovated school and church converted into education centre and local cafe. The education centre briefs the visitors with the mining history of Ma On Shan Area and the livings of the miners. It also provides geotechnic information on Ma On Shan rocks and offers samples of rock collected in the area. Visitors can learn how to distinguish iron ores in the exhibition. Air conditioning is provided in the exhibition hall, making it an excellent place for resting. The cafe offers local herbal drinks, freshly brewed coffee and local food like tofu puddings. A great place to talk with the locals and rest after hiking.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for school-aged children aged 5 and up who arrive as part of a country park hike. The rock samples and curator-led explanations engage curious kids effectively. Not accessible for strollers. Pair with the Ma On Shan Country Trail for a half-day outing with educational payoff at the destination.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →370 Google reviews
Bernard Ng
“A renovated school and church converted into education centre and local cafe. The education centre briefs the visitors with the mining history of Ma On Shan Area and the livings of the miners. It also provides geotechnic information on Ma On Shan rocks and offers samples of rock collected in the area. Visitors can learn how to distinguish iron ores in the exhibition. Air conditioning is provided in the exhibition hall, making it an excellent place for resting. The cafe offers local herbal drinks, freshly brewed coffee and local food like tofu puddings. A great place to talk with the locals and rest after hiking.”
Maureen Boost
“Interesting background info on former mine near Ma On Shan situated in the former Lutheran church in the village. The staff are friendly and willing to answer questions. Entrance is free open Fridays, Saturday and Sunday only. There is a small cafe next door serving drinks and snacks.”
Mabel Sin
“Discovered this place during hiking. Nice place to visit to understand more about HK History. Friendly curator introduced us the history of the mining industry and also shown us the camping site and hostel. Eco tour can also be orgsnized upon request. A very good attempt to revitalize historical place. The cafe here offers refreshments. The coffee and cookies we ordered are both very nice! tips : worth visit the real entrance of mine 240M.L. which is located near to the center. Walk down to the parking lot, turn right on the road after the lot. Not much distance up the road, on the left hand side, there is a trail blocked by a concrete bar on the ground. The entrance is about two hundred meter inside.”
Sophia Chu
“After a short hike from the Ma An Shan BBQ site, you will reach Grace Youth Camp. This place used to be a church and school for the village of the mine, and it's a great place to visit and have a cup of coffee before continuing the hike. The Mining Cafe looks like a cabin in the ski resort, and the coffee and snacks are great!”
Reviews from Google
Overview
The Mining Heritage Centre occupies a former church and school inside Grace Youth Camp, deep within Ma On Shan Country Park. Exhibits cover the area's iron ore extraction history with physical rock samples visitors can handle, geological maps, and records of miner daily life. Staff provide detailed guided explanations on request. An eco tour can be arranged in advance. A small mining-themed café next door serves drinks and snacks.
