Dixia Cheng - Beijing's Underground City

In China, there is the Great Wall, and then, there is also an Underground Great Wall. It lies in the subsurface region of Beijing’s Dixia Cheng, and comprises a chain of tunnels and chambers that run for about 33 square miles. Dug by citizens to seek shelter from Soviet bombings, other invasions and nuclear attacks, the Underground Great Wall had 90 entrances to the underground corridors which were hidden in the backs of homes and enterprises. This amazing wonder was made not just for survival, but also to continue life at its normal pace. Bearing this purpose in mind, the locals also dug up classrooms for children, entertainment zones like a movie theatre, barber shops, restaurants and ample spaces for storage of grains, weapons and other necessities. Fortunately, the Chinese never had to seek refuge in this vast underbelly. As a result, the underground city closed down, and was reopened for tourists in 2000; only a few corridors are, however, accessible.