Is it possible for something as destructive as mining to create beauty and new life? Mining has undoubtedly devastated some communities and natural environments, but with new methods of land reclamation being developed every day, there might be a silver lining. The northeastern Chinese city of Qingdao, once an infamous mining region, has been transformed into an ecological wonder filled with pavilions, clean energy technology and gardens for the 2014 International Horticultural Expo, reported CNN.

But it's not just the land above ground that can be transformed and put to better use after a mine is closed – sometimes the manmade caves can also become beautiful and even livable spaces, providing local communities with income from tourism or a place to worship. Click through the slideshow above to see old mines with new uses in Australia, Poland, Romania and Sweden and read on for more stories of fantastic mine transformations.

1. Coober Pedy, Australia - Underground Homes

Known as the Opal Capital of the world, Coober Pedy was once home only to the Aboriginal people of Australia. When opals were discovered in 1915, the area was transformed into a hotspot for miners. Because of the harsh desert climate, the miners learned to live in underground dugouts, says the Coober Pedy tourism site. Today the town has a population of 3,500, sustained by opal mining and tourism. Visitors who want to experience the Outback firsthand can come to the town and stay in an underground hotel, mining museums, ton on an underground house tour, and eat in an underground restaurant, says CNN. You'll probably want to spend a good deal of time in the underground city – the summer temperature usually exceeds 104 degrees, says the Huffington Post, and putting the old opal mines to use as housing is a great way to take advantage of the naturally cool temperature underground.

2. WieliczkaSalt Mine, Poland - Museum and Chapel

For hundreds of years, the Wieliczka salt mine has been excavated for its minerals, making it one of the oldest industrial operations in Europe. According to UNESCO, the mine shows the stages of mining development in Europe from the 13th to the 20th centuries and has outstanding cultural value. More than a million tourists visit the mine every year to see this history and witness the beautiful architecture that has resulted from the miners' caves. Tourists can take tours along the miners' routes, luxuriate in the spa treatment activities of the Health Resort, and visit the chapel that is even sometimes used to hold weddings. For more information about the types of tours available and pricing, visit the mine's website.

3. Salina Turda Salt Mines, Romania - Museum

After being mined by the Romans, Europeans of the Middle Ages, and modern miners, the Salina Turda salt mines in the Transylvanian countryside have been given the chance for new life in the form of a mining museum. The massive mines supplied miners with 3 billion tons of salt, and those hollow caves have been transformed into cathedral-like halls, says Atlas Obscura. The museum has three different mines that stretch down to various depths, from 138 feet to 393 feet, reported the Huffington Post. Visitors can enjoy learning about the history of the mines, but also take in some of the purported health benefits of breathing the damp, salty air, which is supposed to help with asthma and allergies.

4. Sala Silvermine, Sweden - Hotel

For a taste of the subterranean world, the Sala Silvermine in Sweden offers a little bit of everything. The mine was once used to mine silver, lead and zinc, and the town of Sala grew out of the miners who worked below ground. The mine offers high wire courses above ground, guided tours of the mine below, and even a hotel suite that brings guests down 500 feet to sleep under tons of rocks. Be aware that this hotel experience is the ultimate getaway – guests can only communicate through a personal intercom connected to reception on the surface, reported the Daily Mail. For prices and information on booking the silver mine suite for a night, check out the mine's website.

5. Yanahara Mine, Japan - Indoor Track

The former Yanahara mine in Japan is a perfect place to do some unusual training. According to a book on acid mine drainage, elite athletes who want to train in an environment with lower levels of oxygen can practice on the track that was created in this former iron-ore mine. The hypoxic running track provides athletes with a way to train in conditions that mimic those they would experience at high altitude, says HometownFocus.

6. Braga Municipal Stadium, Portugal - Stadium

The Monte Castro quarry was once used for getting granite, but in 2003, the craggy face was transformed into the Braga Municipal Stadium. Designed by Eduardo Souto de Moura, the stadium was the winner of the 2011 Pritzker Architecture prize, reported CNN. The design was inspired by ancient South American Inca bridges that provided a visual spectacle to each stand on either ride of the field, says ArchDaily.

7. Creekside Mushrooms, Pennsylvania - Mushroom Farm

Deep underground, where limestone was once extracted and brought to the surface, rows and rows of fungus is growing. The former limestones of Worthington, Penn. are now owned by Creekside Mushrooms and used to grow white button mushrooms. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the underground farm is the only one of its type in the United States and it provides the perfect combination of cool temperature and high humidity that the mushrooms thrive on. The underground farm is part of mushroom country, a region that accounts for almost half of the total U.S. mushroom production and contributes an estimated $2.7 billion to the local economy, reported Modern Farmer.