The 816 Nuclear Military Factory is a confidential facility that provides nuclear raw materials for atomic bombs and was approved for construction in 1966. It is the second nuclear raw material base in China, located in Baitao Town, surrounded by mountains and close to the Wujiang River, with abundant water sources. In addition, this artificial cave is also constructed from very sturdy granite.
Today, the mechanical repair plant will become a museum with the theme of the Third Front Movement, which is a large-scale regional industrialization movement in China. At the same time, it will serve as a reminder for nearby 816 themed military towns, allowing tourists to look back on the past days of this project.
Initially, it was classified as the highest level of military secrecy, with only the code known to the public. At the same time, people are asked never to mention the ‘white peach’ where the factory is located. With the disappearance of ‘Bai Tao’, this artificial cave is under construction, hiding a nuclear material factory inside.
Chen Bingzhang, aged 84, is responsible for equipment maintenance in the core area of a nuclear reactor. Over time, shuttle buses in factories have been replaced by sightseeing buses, and instead, different landscapes heading to the same destination have emerged.
Workshop 101 is the largest cave in Factory 816, serving as the main building for the reactor, with a height of nearly 80 meters and a total of 12 floors. Looking down from the reactor hall on the eighth floor, visitors will see the core of the nuclear reactor on the third floor. Although the nuclear power plant has not yet been put into operation, silver white nuclear fuel rods are one of the settings for simulating atomic energy production scenarios.
In the control room on the ninth floor, there are three walls wide of cabinets without anything. At that time, people had installed the most advanced computer systems there, but currently only some bare wires remain. On the circular control panel, there are 2001 numbered holes connected to 2001 nuclear fuel rods. In Chen Bingzhang’s view, this website is the core of the entire project. In those years, the most talented people in China gathered in this room, working hard day and night.
However, influenced by changes in the international situation, after 17 years of secret construction, the project was terminated in 1984, with 85% of the building and 60% of the installation already completed in the cave.
The 104 nuclear power plant was supposed to be the first power plant in China to generate electricity using nuclear waste heat. People even carried steam turbines there. Today, the simulated scene was created through sound, lighting, and electricity, attempting to allow visitors to re experience the operational atmosphere, although the project was also halted midway.
At the 816 nuclear power plant exhibition hall, you will find that the 80 meter high 101 workshop, the 100 meter long 104 power plant, and the 3-kilometer long diversion tunnel are just a small part of the entire project. The factory has a total of 18 grottoes and over 130 lines, guide tunnels, branch tunnels, and main passages, showcasing the architecture within the caves and the surrounding buildings.
Some walls still have slogans left. Living in modern times, we may read them but not truly understand them. However, in the past, the philosophy behind them always inspired the previous generations.
Transportation: Chongqing Ring Expressway – Changfu Expressway – G319 National Road – Wubai Road – Baitao Town -816 Nuclear Military Factory
Address: 182 County Road, Fuling District, Chongqing
Phone:+ 86-23-72779186
Admission: 60 yuan/person during peak season, 40 yuan/person during off-season, 10 yuan/person for sightseeing bus
Opening hours: 09:00-16:30