“Dig deep tunnels, store enough food, and never seek hegemony.” That was Chairman Mao’s slogan. It spurred the creation of Beijing’s \u8001\u9632\u7a7a\u6d1e, and countless other civil air defense tunnels across China.
Today, we stand before one of these relics. The \u8001\u9632\u7a7a\u6d1e is a testament to a specific moment in history. It embodies Cold War anxieties and China’s determination to protect itself.
Let’s step back to the 1950s. China’s relationship with the Soviet Union was deteriorating. The threat of air attacks and nuclear strikes loomed large. Mao Zedong ordered the construction of these tunnels. He wanted to shelter Beijing’s residents.
By December 1972, the project was in full swing. The government poured massive resources into building these underground cities. Ordinary people joined the effort. Even primary school students participated.
Imagine a vast labyrinth beneath Beijing. The \u8001\u9632\u7a7a\u6d1e connected bomb shelters and living quarters. It included schools, hospitals, and even a cinema. This “Underground Great Wall” could accommodate over 300,000 people.
One section, located near Qianmen, was particularly impressive. Eight meters below ground, it connected Wangfujing and Tiananmen. It had 70 water sources and 2,300 ventilators. There was even an underground hospital and barbershops. It truly was an underground city.
For children born in the 1960s, these tunnels were more than just fortifications. They were playgrounds. Locals recall escaping the summer heat in these cool underground spaces. One woman remembers getting lost with her friends. Their teachers and parents were very worried. After that, they were forbidden to play there.
After the threat subsided, the tunnels were largely forgotten. They fell into disrepair. But for some, like urban explorers, they became a paradise. One explorer, Hui, said he had been thinking about visiting this underground world since he was a primary school student.
Hui mainly explores old civil air defense tunnels outside Beijing. He states the ones in Beijing have been rebuilt or demolished. Many enterprises have their own bunkers that are not open to the public. Exploring these places can be dangerous. Hui’s team once almost fell off a cliff. They also found spooky skeletons in an abandoned underground hospital.
Some tunnels became home to those on the margins of society. Drug addicts left traces of their lives in these forgotten spaces. Today, only fragments of the Underground City remain. A cocktail bar called Memory occupies a small section. The Underground City Museum displays artifacts from the tunnels. Wine tastings are even held in a converted wine cellar. The temperature and humidity are perfect for aging wine.
The \u8001\u9632\u7a7a\u6d1e and other similar tunnels serve as time capsules. They remind us of a period of intense geopolitical tension. They also highlight the ingenuity and resilience of the Chinese people. Though largely hidden from view, they remain a significant part of Beijing’s history. They are a testament to a time when the world held its breath, and China prepared for the worst.