Some people say that Chongqing is an 8D magic city, with uneven heights and unevenness; some people say that Chongqing is a city of bridges, connected vertically and horizontally, extending in all directions; some people say that Chongqing’s tracks pass through buildings, the roads ripple, and the houses stand on cliffs. , overhead bridges...

These are the characteristics of Chongqing, but they are not enough to summarize all of Chongqing. Let me tell you, they have also ignored one of the most striking features of Chongqing - there are countless air-raid shelters in Chongqing.

Underground World

Since 1937, Chongqing began to build air defense fortifications, which gradually developed from "air raid pits" that could only accommodate a few people to air raid shelters.

It is no exaggeration to say that the entire underground space in Chongqing, made up of air-raid shelters, is so huge that it can be called an underground kingdom.

Chongqing can be called a mountain city, a fog city, and a bridge city. In the hearts of Chongqing people, it is still an air-raid shelter.

1. The air-raid shelter is the door of time

Chongqing has come from the sonorous years, with iron and blood.

Those air-raid shelters with special missions were all over the streets and alleys during the Anti-Japanese War. Most of them were built against the mountains, some were large and some were small.

If you walk in Chongqing, you will not encounter air-raid shelters except on the elevated Binjiang Road along the river. You must encounter air-raid shelters in any streets and alleys. This is true even for the most prosperous Liberation Monument in Chongqing.

Gate of Time

It’s just that they appear in front of you with a different name. Such and such underground shopping malls and underground parking lots are their current names. Friends who have watched "Hot Pot Heroes" know that hot pot can also be eaten in air raid shelters.

Yesterday, when air conditioning was far from common, air-raid shelters were the hope of Chongqing people in summer, a popsicle in the heat.

They have stood peacefully from the not-too-distant past to the present, and most of them are still well preserved. As long as the iron door is pushed open, the passage to the past is opened.

During the turbulent years of the Anti-Japanese War of Iron and Fire, these air-raid shelters of different sizes scattered in the hard rock mass became reliable safety islands for the tough Chongqing people, protecting the southwest rear.

No one dares to forget those patience and strength. Those ferocious burnings overhead, and the power of nirvana in this scorching heat...

Times have changed, and the city has undergone drastic changes. However, subconsciously, no construction unit would use the air-raid shelter on the drawings. They are symbols of Chongqing’s spirit and representatives of the city’s character. Although it is always ignored, it has profound connotations. Keep them, above all financial gain.

2. Childhood memories

As time goes by, the air-raid shelter loses its wartime significance and slowly turns into a memory of childhood.

Depths

When you and the friends around you were full of energy and loved to explore, it was hard not to make the air-raid shelters everywhere your destination.

The unknown underground, the light is dark. There is an inexplicable sound...

Imagining hard, thinking hard: the walls are inlaid with agate, gold is hidden under the stone, and the iron box is filled with brand-new French currency...

While saying that he was not afraid, he held up the only household appliance in the house: a flashlight, while squeezing toward the crowd with trepidation. If someone suddenly shouts "ah", before the sound is heard, roll call can be made at the door of the cave. One less? We were debating whether to draw lots or "rock, paper, scissors" to decide who would be the warrior. The brother who didn't win came out with a green face, leaning on the wall, trembling and angry for a long time, and choked out a few words: You are too unloyal.

Unloyal partners are worthy of criticism, and joining the team of female classmates is more reassuring. Little boys all have a desire to express themselves, especially in front of a girl they like very much. Their fearlessness of "Buddha blocks and beats Buddha, devil blocks and kicks devil" is really speechless.

In my impression, I walked into a cave under the barren slope of Liziba. It was intricate and complicated, with many rooms. Some students also displayed the large-denomination gold coupons they found as if they were offering treasures.

Vent hole in the underground vault

Now I know that the cave I explored was the underground vault of the Bank of Communications, which is now located in the Liziba Anti-Japanese War Heritage Park.

However, the vault is no longer accessible, but there is a vent like a bunker where you can take photos at any time.

If you are older, you will know that the air-raid shelter is only a part of the civil air defense project, a purely artificial construction, and there are no treasures you want. Although curiosity is still there, the direction is obviously not deep underground, but in the hearts of the opposite sex. Love is the most priceless treasure that should be sought.

3. There is warmth from the market in the cave

I miss the days when several families were surrounded by courtyards.

In the morning, there will be nodding greetings to each other, and everyone gathers around the patio to brush teeth and wash faces. You can see what dishes are placed on each table. Of course, if the food is really good, in order not to irritate the neighbors, it is possible to move the dining table into the side room and live in luxury behind closed doors.

We usually say hello, and if something happens to anyone, there are always countless enthusiastic people to help. The coming and going of cold and summer are all filled with a strong sense of human touch.

But people moved into the apartment building one after another, and once the door was closed, they did not interfere with each other. Gradually, the word "neighbor" became a synonym for "no contact until old age and death."

Fortunately, there are air raid shelters.

Parents have shortcomings

Especially in the early years, when air conditioning was far from popular, and the summer in Chongqing was as hot as a steamer, shady air-raid shelters became the best way to cool down and escape the summer heat. select.

People in the same building who rarely move around usually gather in the same air-raid shelter, greeting each other after a long absence, bringing the warmth of deja vu.

Some people brought straw mats and spread them out in an open space, comfortably catching up on their sleepless nights due to the heat.

Most people brought teacups and drank hot water while sighing at how cool it was; usually middle-aged people gathered around and discussed the United States and Japan loudly.

At that time, Li Boqing, who was "faking a fight", was already well-known, so people would ask, could that sly and sly joke drill a hole with his hand?

What I remember most clearly is that someone cleared his throat and imitated a piece of Li Boqing's joke: You have to urinate, have a chamber pot, and don't draw maps on the wall.

There is also "Mountain City Bangbang Army" led by Mei Laokan, Maozi, Dingding Cat... These are all topics. I even saw a few popular ones in the roadside teahouse in Datian Bay. A local star, he drank tea in a very down-to-earth manner and asked Mei Laokan to sign his autograph at the Jiangbei Cultural Center. His smile was sincere.

Oh, by the way, Mei Laokan’s real name is Pang Zuyun. I don’t know if he can be regarded as a talented and talented person, but compared to the so-called celebrities who are surrounded by people and have a lot of bodyguards when they go out, I am more I like his simplicity.

People enjoy the coolness in the air-raid shelters and set up gantry formations, biding farewell to the hot summers one after another. Neighborhood friendship, gradually eliminated by the changes of the times, has delayed its end. Those market ecosystems have been able to persist for a longer period of time.

4. Air raid shelters will disappear

We no longer need air raid shelters, just like we don’t need smallpox vaccines now. Although they were particularly important over a short distance over time.

Lonely

The air raid shelters have indeed lost their actual function. Except for those used to enjoy the shade if possible, most of them are idle.

I often walk near Liziba Light Rail Station. From time to time on the roadside, I see air-raid shelters with closed doors, rusty iron locks hanging on them, and dust on the doors. One can't help but wonder if they can still exist?

However, it was obvious that I was overthinking it. Chongqing people are extremely wise and will not let readily available resources go to waste.

We transformed the air-raid shelter into a museum, into a hot pot restaurant, into a venue where everything keeps pace with the times and is closely related to life.

I collected some information and listed here some delicious and fun places that were transformed from air-raid shelters. To preserve Chongqing’s precious air-raid shelters, everyone still needs to contribute.

Yuandao Air Raid Shelter

This air-raid shelter-renovated tourist attraction is across the road from the Liziba viewing platform and has just been completed.

It’s a unique cave

Retro canteen, convenience store of the same style as Wang Yuan, swings, lanterns, wishing wall... It has everything. It is a unique cave. It is quite nice to stop by when checking in on the monorail and go through the building.

Eating hot pot in Dongdong

This may be the most hidden Dongzi hot pot in Chongqing, located on Park Road, South District, Yuzhong District.

The dining area is very deep inside the cave, and it feels great when you walk in.

Zeng Laoyao Yuzhuang

Yuzhuang is located at No. 218 Binjiang Road, Changjiang River. It is a well-established Dongzi delicacy.

This is the original air-raid shelter without any decoration. But there are many repeat customers, so there is nothing we can do about it. Who can let people have such overbearing taste?

CAVE

The CAVE on Liziba Main Street is famous and is known as the world's first air-raid shelter bar.

If you like unique handsome guys and beauties, you can experience its craft beer and delicious food for yourself.

In addition, the Dongting Hotpot at the Lianglu intersection and the Jianchuan Museum under the Egongyan Bridge were both converted from air-raid shelters. If you go and experience them at the right time, your understanding of Chongqing may be deeper.

The ubiquitous air-raid shelters in Chongqing constitute a unique underground world that will never disappear. This world is different from the grandeur it presents to people, but it is the same.

Only the combination of above-ground buildings and underground air-raid shelters can outline the complete outline of Chongqing, a charming city.