“Dig deep, prepare provisions and not to seek hegemony” reads the slogan. These words echo Chairman Mao’s call. We are standing at \u9ec4\u53f0\u5b5030\u53f7\u654c\u53f0 in Beijing.
Beijing is an ancient city. Its history stretches back 3000 years. For 700 years Beijing has almost continuously been the capital. Six ancient dynasties chose it. These included the Yuan Ming and Qing empires.
This defensive tower stands as a silent witness. It reminds us of a time of tension. In 1969, the Sino-Soviet border conflict erupted. Chairman Mao ordered bomb shelters. The goal was to protect the population from nuclear attack. This led to the creation of Beijing’s Underground City. Some call it the Underground Great Wall. Its purpose mirrored the Great Wall’s. It was essentially military defense.
Imagine 300000 local citizens digging these tunnels. Even schoolchildren participated. From 1969 to 1979 they toiled. The tunnels wind for over 30 kilometers. They cover 85 square kilometers. This subterranean world lies eight to eighteen meters below us.
The old city walls and towers paid the price. They were destroyed to supply materials. Only two watchtowers survived. They stood at Zhengyangmen and Deshengmen.
The plan was ambitious. Forty percent of Beijing’s population could shelter here. The rest would move to the hills. Each residence had a secret trapdoor nearby. It led to these tunnels.
The tunnels supposedly link all areas of central Beijing. They stretch from Xidan and Xuanwumen to Qianmen and Chongwen districts. Some say they even reach the Western Hills.
This underground city was equipped for survival. Stores restaurants and clinics were planned. Schools theaters and reading rooms would be available. There were even factories a skating rink and farms for growing food. Over 2300 ventilation shafts were installed. Gas and waterproof hatches protected from attack. More than 70 sites allowed the digging of wells.
Thankfully the Underground City never served its intended purpose. It remains a relic of a bygone era. Water conservancy authorities check it every year.
Today some shelters serve as hostels. Others are shopping centers or theaters. This defensive tower \u9ec4\u53f0\u5b5030\u53f7\u654c\u53f0 stands guard. It reminds us of Beijing’s resilience. It has transformed from a defensive structure.