816 Nuclear Plant in Chongqing

The 816 Nuclear Military Plant (816工程遗址) is a historical and engineering marvel located in Fuling District (涪陵区), Chongqing (重庆), China. It is a former underground nuclear facility, built as part of the country’s Third Front Construction (三线建设) during the Cold War era. The plant, shrouded in secrecy for many years, was built to produce nuclear materials for the Chinese atomic bomb program. Today, it serves as an important heritage site, offering visitors a unique glimpse into China's nuclear industrial past.

Key Information:

• Location: Bai Tao Street (白涛街道), Fuling District (涪陵区), Chongqing (重庆)

• Opening Hours:

  • April 1 to October 31: 09:00 - 17:00

  • November 1 to March 31: 09:00 - 16:30

• Ticket Price: ¥60 (includes entrance and electric vehicle ride)

• Climate: Subtropical monsoon climate, with consistent temperatures between 16°C to 21°C year-round.

• Total Area: 45.2 hectares

History and Development

The 816 Nuclear Military Plant (816工程遗址) was approved in 1966 by the Central Military Commission (中央军委), led by Premier Zhou Enlai (周恩来). It was built as part of China’s Second Nuclear Raw Material Industrial Base (第二核原料工业基地), which aimed to secure nuclear materials for the country's atomic bomb program.

Key Milestones in the Plant's History:

• 1966: Premier Zhou Enlai (周恩来) sanctioned the creation of the underground facility in response to rising tensions during the Cold War. The location in Fuling (涪陵), far from the coast, was chosen for its strategic advantage and natural geographic defense.

• 1967: Construction began with over 60,000 workers from various parts of China, including military engineers from the 54th Engineering Division (also known as the “8342 Unit” or "8342部队").

• 1970: The project expanded, with large-scale efforts to build the necessary infrastructure, including factories and residential areas for workers.

• 1984: Due to shifts in national strategy, construction was halted, and the facility was left abandoned, with 85% of the construction and 65% of the installations completed. The total investment amounted to 7.46 billion RMB (人民币).

Declassification and Tourism:

• 2002: The National Defense Science and Technology Industry Commission (国防科工委) agreed to declassify the project.

• 2009: The site was listed as a National Cultural Heritage Site (重庆市文物保护单位) by Chongqing’s Cultural Relics Protection Bureau (重庆市文物保护局).

• 2010: The 816 facility opened partially for tourism, with sections of the underground complex becoming accessible to the public.

Location and Layout

The 816 Plant (816工程遗址) is located 20 kilometers southeast of Fuling District (涪陵区), nestled within the Wuling Mountains (武陵山), and is built directly into the mountainside, which provides natural camouflage and protection.

Coordinates:

• Longitude: 107°30′26″ E

• Latitude: 29°33′24″ N

The site is strategically positioned to take advantage of the surrounding geography, including the Wujiang River (乌江) to the west, with a series of roads and tunnels weaving through the mountainside, making it almost imperceptible to outsiders.

Engineering and Structure

The 816 Nuclear Military Plant (816工程遗址) consists of a massive underground complex, with an intricate design intended to resist enemy attacks and natural disasters. The total length of the underground tunnels exceeds 20 kilometers, with over 130 tunnels, shafts, and access passages.

Notable Engineering Features:

• Main Cavern: The largest cavern measures 79.6 meters in height, with a width of 31.2 meters and a floor area of over 13,000 m². This cavern housed critical facilities such as reactors and control rooms.

• Tunnel System: The underground facility is a maze of interconnected tunnels, passageways, and chambers, designed for both security and operational efficiency.

• Protection: The site was constructed to withstand extreme conditions, including the impact of hydrogen bomb detonations and the force of an 8.0 magnitude earthquake. The reinforced structure was also designed to be immune to conventional bombing attacks.

Unique Environmental Conditions:

• The average temperature inside the tunnels remains a consistent 16°C to 21°C year-round, providing an ideal environment for preservation and safety.

Major Structures and Points of Interest

Visitors to the 816 Nuclear Military Plant (816工程遗址) will explore various sections of the underground complex, including control rooms, reactor facilities, and storage areas. Some of the key attractions include:

Key Areas:

• Main Reactor Hall (101 Room) (101工号): This is the core facility of the plant, where the nuclear fuel was processed. It houses a complex system of graphite moderators and uranium fuel elements.

• Control Rooms (9th Floor) (9楼中央控制室): The central control room, equipped with the most advanced computers of the era, was the heart of the nuclear operations.

• Cooling System (9th Water Intake Tunnel) (9号引水洞): This 3-kilometer-long water intake tunnel supplied essential cooling water for the reactors. It includes a 2862.2-meter-long pipeline.

• Storage Facilities (102 Pool) (102元件存储池): A massive storage facility designed to safely store nuclear fuel and spent materials.

104 Nuclear Power Plant (104核发电厂房):

• This large power plant section measures 104.5 meters in length, 25 meters in width, and 31.2 meters in height, housing a system of two 80,000-kilowatt turbines.

Cultural Significance:

The site offers a rare and deep dive into China’s nuclear history. It also stands as a monument to the perseverance of Chinese engineers and workers during the Third Front Construction Movement (三线建设), which sought to decentralize key industries and protect them from potential external threats.

Tourist Experience

The 816 Nuclear Military Plant (816工程遗址) has become a popular tourist destination, providing insight into China’s industrial and military history. The site is recognized for its scientific and national defense education value, as well as its cultural significance as a piece of China's nuclear heritage.

Visitor Activities:

• Underground Tours: Visitors can explore the vast network of tunnels and learn about the plant’s construction, operation, and declassification.

• Exhibits and Displays: There are various exhibits showcasing the engineering efforts, nuclear technology, and Third Front Construction (三线建设) era. Artifacts such as control panels, machinery, and photos from the plant’s operation are displayed.

• Guided Tours: Knowledgeable guides provide detailed explanations of the site's historical and technological significance, often linking the site to broader events in China’s nuclear history.

Recognition and Honors

The 816 Nuclear Military Plant (816工程遗址) has been honored for its historical and cultural value:

• 2017: Listed as part of the Second Batch of China’s 20th Century Architectural Heritage (第二批中国20世纪建筑遗产).

• 2018: Included in the China Industrial Heritage Protection List (中国工业遗产保护名录) due to its unique role as China’s second nuclear raw material base and the country’s first atomic power plant.

• 2019: Awarded the AAAA National Tourist Attraction (国家AAAA级旅游景区) status.

• 2023: Designated a National Science Popularization Education Base (全国科普教育基地) and added to the National Defense Education Base (国防教育基地) list by the Chongqing Municipal Government (重庆市人民政府).

How to Visit

Opening Hours:

• April 1 - October 31: 09:00 - 17:00

• November 1 - March 31: 09:00 - 16:30

Ticket Information:

• Entrance Fee: ¥60 (includes the entrance and electric vehicle ride).

Transportation:

• From Chongqing: Travel via Highway (Yinbai Expressway or 银百高速) or train (Fuling North Station or 涪陵北站).

• Public Transit: Take the 121 Bus from Fuling North Station (涪陵北站), or use other local buses to reach the 816 Nuclear Military Plant (816工程遗址).

The 816 Nuclear Military Plant (816工程遗址) is not only a unique industrial site but also a national heritage that preserves a crucial part of China’s military and technological history. It serves as a reminder of the country’s commitment to securing its nuclear capabilities and the enduring spirit of the Third Front Construction (三线建设). The site offers a powerful, immersive experience for those interested in history, science, and military technology.