UrbanRevitalization ChongqingUnderground ChinaInnovation

Reviving the Past: Chongqing’s Air-Raid Shelters Reborn as Vibrant Underground Spaces

*Once wartime air-raid shelters, its vast network of underground spaces is now being repurposed into thriving cultural and commercial hubs. Source: Global Times (image by VCG)*

Chongqing, a city known for its mountainous landscapes, is undergoing a unique transformation. Once wartime air-raid shelters, its vast network of underground spaces is now being repurposed into thriving cultural and commercial hubs. Dating back to World War II, these shelters once provided refuge from bombings but have remained largely unused for decades. Today, they are being converted into bustling restaurants, bookstores, creative markets, and entertainment venues. This innovative project, known as Underground City, is breathing new life into these historical spaces while preserving their legacy.

A New Chapter for Historic Spaces

Since 2018, Chongqing has been steadily revitalizing its underground spaces, ensuring each shelter serves a new purpose. One of the most striking examples is the city’s largest 24-hour underground hotpot restaurant, which spans 4,500 square meters and features 208 tables. This fusion of history and modern culture has drawn thousands of visitors, eager to dine in a space filled with wartime echoes. Additionally, an underground bookstore, nestled in a 45-meter-long shelter, has become a haven for book lovers, offering over 15,000 second-hand books and hosting history lectures. By preserving the original walls and structures, developers maintain the authenticity of these sites while keeping renovation costs minimal.

A Model for Sustainable Urban Renewal

Chongqing’s Underground City initiative is not just about commercial success—it’s a model of sustainable urban development. With over 16,000 shelters spanning 1.1 million square meters, this transformation offers economic benefits, job creation, and an enhanced tourism sector. More than 1 million tourists have already visited these unique spaces, proving that historic preservation and urban innovation can go hand in hand. As these underground spaces continue to evolve, they serve as a powerful reminder of resilience, adaptation, and the potential to turn history into opportunity.

Sources: english.news.cn, KameraOne%20Australia, globaltimes.cn