Could you imagine Beijing transformed into a subterranean fortress? That’s the story of the \u5916\u4e956\u53f7\u654c\u53f0. It is connected to the Underground City. We’re standing near an entrance to a once-secret world beneath our feet.
The Underground City is no ordinary subway system. It’s a Cold War-era bomb shelter. Mao Zedong ordered its construction during heightened tensions with the Soviet Union in 1969. The \u5916\u4e956\u53f7\u654c\u53f0 and the Underground City was designed to withstand nuclear attacks. Construction lasted a decade. It involved over 300,000 volunteer citizens including students. They even dug some portions without heavy machinery.
The \u5916\u4e956\u53f7\u654c\u53f0 and the Underground City spans 85 square kilometers beneath Beijing’s center. It lies 8 to 18 meters below the surface. Imagine a network of tunnels equipped with everything needed for survival. There were restaurants, clinics, schools, and even a roller skating rink.
The \u5916\u4e956\u53f7\u654c\u53f0’s ventilation system had 2,300 shafts. These could be sealed to protect against poison gases. Gas and waterproof hatches guarded against biochemical attacks and nuclear fallout. Some speculate tunnels link landmarks such as Zhongnanhai and the Great Hall of the People. Some say every residence had a secret trapdoor leading to the tunnels.
The plan was to move half of Beijing’s population underground. The other half would go to the Western Hills. The \u5916\u4e956\u53f7\u654c\u53f0 and the Underground City complex had about 90 hidden entrances. They were concealed within shops along Qianmen’s main streets. Many entrances have been demolished.
Officially opened in 2000, the \u5916\u4e956\u53f7\u654c\u53f0 and the Underground City has been closed for renovation since 2008. Before its closure, visitors could tour small sections. Signposts pointed to major landmarks accessible via the tunnels. Chambers were labeled with their original functions such as cinemas and hospitals. Portraits of Mao Zedong hung amidst murals of tunnel diggers. Slogans like “Accumulate Grain” and “Prepare for War, Prepare for Famine” adorned the walls. Tourists could even visit a functioning silk factory.
Though never used for its intended purpose the \u5916\u4e956\u53f·\u654c\u53f0 and the Underground City wasn’t abandoned. Local authorities still check for water leaks and control pests. Today the \u5916\u4e956\u53f7\u654c\u53f0 stands as a silent reminder of a tense era. It embodies China’s determination to protect its people. It also shows the ingenuity employed during a time of global uncertainty. It is a piece of history beneath our feet.