Cold War Legacy: 816 Nuclear Project & Abandoned Top-Secret Military Town
Overview
An underground nuclear project during the Cold War, the world’s largest artificial cave, where 60,000 people lived their entire lives in anonymity.
Highlights
What you'll do
Stop 1: 816 Abandoned Town / Baitao Old Town
Wander through the abandoned residential area built for the 816 project's workers and their families—time seems frozen here. Soviet-style old buildings, empty factories, and overgrown streets everywhere carry an eerie yet authentic imprint of that era. Kenny will share with you here: The huge sensation this mysterious small town caused among surrounding residents when it quietly reopened to the public in the early 21st century; the fun stories of how locals used to sneak into the restricted zone back then. Kenny's childhood friend's parents worked in a nearby state-owned enterprise and witnessed firsthand the transition from military to civilian use. Expect Kenny to share his real conversations and poignant memories with these former employees' families about the warmth and melancholy of that industrial shift. [Image]
Stop 2: 816 Military Industry Exhibition Hall
Visit the exhibition hall housed in the abandoned military-factory workshops, displaying artifacts from the Third Front Construction period—including original Central Committee documents and vintage machinery—offering deep insight into the historical background and era of the 816 Project. Kenny will explain to you: The official perspective on the 816 Project, proletarian revolutionary ideals, and Cold War history—including China's attitudes toward the Soviet Union and the United States. But more importantly, Kenny will take you into the grassroots narratives of locals—how ordinary Fuling people privately discussed the project, what people from different walks of life thought, and how this secretive mega-project profoundly shaped Fuling residents' lives, economy, and collective memory over decades.
Stop 3: 1950s State-Owned Canteen – Fuling Local Lunch (Optional)
Enjoy an authentic lunch at one of Fuling's most storied old restaurants, savoring classic dishes that have barely changed in decades. Fuling was once administratively independent from Chongqing for a long time, resulting in distinct local dialect tones, cultural habits, and especially food flavors that differ subtly yet noticeably from mainstream Chongqing tastes. Kenny will chat with you over the meal about these cultural nuances, helping you truly taste the essence of “old Fuling”—pure, simple, and infused with the depth of time.
Stop 4: 816 Underground Nuclear Military Complex – The World's Largest Man-Made Cavern
Step into this colossal underground project hand-excavated during the Cold War, originally designed as a plutonium production facility. Vast halls, tunnels, reactor chambers, ventilation systems—all deeply embedded in the mountain, a truly awe-inspiring engineering marvel. Kenny will reveal to you here some of the hidden histories behind the project, along with orally transmitted details and secrets from locals that aren't found in official records. These stories are almost nowhere to be seen on Wikipedia, Reddit, or even in most Cold War academic circles—they're the real “insider legends” belonging to Fuling people.
Stop 5: Wujiang Panting scroll– Riverside Scenery & Reflection
End the day by the Wujiang River, where steep cliffs and deep gorges create breathtaking views. This is one of Kenny's favorite childhood hangouts. China boasts nearly every type of terrain on Earth, yet true fjord-like landscapes are rare. The Wujiang River's gorge comes remarkably close to Norway's iconic fjords, but appears in a subtropical, humid climate—forming a one-of-a-kind natural wonder. Kenny will share here his own childhood adventures and stories, plus thoughtful reflections on how rapid urbanization over the past 15 years has changed Fuling's natural environment—and the real, complex feelings local people have about these transformations.
What's included
Included
Meeting point
Fuling 816 Nuclear Military Plant
Important information
Preguntas frecuentes
Ofrecemos una política de cancelación flexible de 24 horas. Puede recibir un reembolso completo si cancela su reserva al menos 24 horas antes de la hora de inicio programada de la experiencia.
Lamentablemente, las cancelaciones o solicitudes de cambio realizadas con menos de 24 horas de antelación a la hora de inicio programada no son reembolsables y no pueden aceptarse. Esto es para asegurar que nuestros expertos locales sean compensados justamente por su tiempo reservado.
Todos los plazos se calculan en función de la hora local del lugar de la experiencia en China.
¡Sí! Se permiten cambios de fecha y hora sin cargo, siempre que la solicitud se realice con al menos 24 horas de antelación a la hora de inicio original del tour.
- Reserva: Reserva tu plaza online (no se requiere el pago completo por adelantado).
- Depósito: Te contactaremos vía WhatsApp, WeChat o Email para coordinar un pequeño depósito. Una vez recibido el depósito, ¡tu reserva estará oficialmente confirmada!
- Saldo: El saldo restante se paga solo después de que termine el tour, asegurando que estés satisfecho con tu experiencia. Aceptamos Alipay, WeChat Pay y efectivo.
Aunque China cuenta con transporte moderno, muchas "joyas ocultas" se encuentran detrás de las barreras del idioma. Con Hey! China, tu Experto Local te ayuda a navegar por las aplicaciones locales y a descubrir lugares auténticos más allá del típico camino turístico.
¡Absolutamente! China está en constante evolución. Nuestros Expertos Locales te mostrarán sus lugares favoritos personales y las nuevas tendencias que probablemente te perdiste antes. ¡Siempre hay una nueva faceta de China por descubrir con nosotros!
¥1,700
/ person
for 1 person
1
Total
¥1,700
No payment required now. We'll contact you to confirm. We accept Alipay, WeChat Pay, or cash.