Bomb shelter turned scenic spot in SW China

A new pedestrian trail project in a bomb shelter in Chongqing was recently opened to the public and has become a new landmark and a must-see scenic spot for tourists.

The project, called Daijiaxiang Cliff Park Bomb Shelter Pedestrian Trail, is one of the city's civil air defense demonstration projects.

The entrance of the project is located in Chongqing's Yuzhong district. The tunnel of the bomb shelter, with a 30-meter drop, is 320 meters long. It is three meters high and three to four meters wide on average, according to the Chongqing Civil Air Defense Office.

The project, connecting neighboring vital passages like Hongyadong Scenic Spot, Daijiaxiang Cliff Trail and Jialing Riverside Road, has not only extended the scenic spot, but has also connected the upper and lower half of the district.

A survey led by the office in early 2021 showed that a large number of residents and tourists suggested opening up the bomb shelter for visits. So, the project was initiated.

The office said the project takes advantage of the bomb shelter's narrow trail, steep stairs and various corners, and presents two themes — Ba and Yu Cultures, and Chongqing Memory. It utilizes three-dimensional techniques as well as lights on a total of 12 wall paintings which depict the city's culture and history.

The pedestrian trail is just one of many sites originally built as shelters from air raids like the Bombardment of Chongqing, which was carried out by Japanese forces from February 1938 to August 1943 during World War II.

Today, the facilities serve as shelters of a different sort.

According to the office, the city's more than 200 shelters have been rented out for other uses, including as gas stations, restaurants, wine cellars, museums and book stores.