Beneath the bustling streets of Beijing lies a Cold War-era subterranean city that once served as a massive civil defense shelter. Built in the 1970s during tense political times, the underground city was intended to house millions of residents in the event of a nuclear attack or other large-scale disaster. Known as “Dìxià Chéng” (meaning “Underground City”), this hidden complex covers more than 33 square miles, stretching beneath the city with interconnected tunnels.
The Underground City of Beijing contains various facilities, including classrooms, theaters, clinics, factories, and even a mushroom farm, all built to support life underground if necessary. While not all parts of Dìxià Chéng are accessible to the public, guided tours have allowed visitors to explore some of the maze-like corridors and see the remnants of a fascinating period in China’s history. Today, it stands as a relic of the Cold War era, showcasing the immense lengths taken to protect city dwellers in times of uncertainty.
