Wang Jinxi was born into a poor peasant family in 1923 and worked variously as a shepherd and coal-carrier during childhood. At the age of 15 he left his home and headed to the oilfields in Yumen where he worked hard for many years, joining the Communist Party in 1956. In 1960, Chairman Mao decided that China should no longer rely on foreign oil supplies, and decided to step up domestic production. A team which included Wang Jinxi was sent to an untapped field in Yuman. The team worked through fatigue and injury in diabolical conditions, in temperatures dropping as low as -30C for many days before finally striking oil and the field became operational.
Later, he was honored by Mao Zedong, who referred to him as a Pillar of the Industry. He was nicknamed the Iron Man for his great strength and perseverance, becoming a symbol of the working class in Mao's new China.
In 1971, Daqing opened the Memorial Hall of Iron Man Comrade Wang Jinxi to honor his memory. There is a large statue at the main gate to the park, as well as three exhibition halls displaying Wang Jinxi's life story through pictures and articles.
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