China - February 27, 2025 Wartime air-raid shelters reborn as consumer hubs in southwest China's Chongqing (Stand_up) Gong Ming, Reporter: "As a temporary capital during World War II, Chongqing Municipality built over 1,000 bomb shelters like this. Today, these abandoned shelters are being revitalized. Here a cluster of 18 is being transformed into a new cultural and tourism landmark, called 'Underground City,' featuring a market, teahouses, and hot pot restaurants." (Voice_over) Every Saturday at 8 a.m., one of the air-raid shelters here transforms into a bustling farmers' market, offering free stalls for vegetable farmers from Yubei District. It also provides local residents with a convenient place to purchase fresh and affordable produce. (Sound_bite) Yang Qinming, Farmer: "This place is great—on one hand, it's not affected by rain or wind, and in winter, it's not too cold, while in summer, it stays really cool." (Sound_bite) Zhang, Local resident: "The vegetables here are really good. We come every Saturday to stock up for the week. The prices are not only great, but everything is organic, pesticide-free, and super fresh." (Voice_over) Even more nostalgic than the market is the old teahouse inside a nearby air-raid shelter, where guests can enjoy local-style tea amid vintage decor that transports visitors back in time. The most surreal experience, however, is the 520-meter-long hotpot restaurant within the shelter, which seats up to 1,300 diners. Blending its original wartime structure with modern graffiti, the space features delivery robots weaving through the tunnels, creating a striking fusion of past and present. (Sound_bite) Chen Zhaobo, Local resident: "I'm a native of Chongqing, and I used to play in air-raid shelters as a kid. It definitely has more atmosphere than regular hotpot restaurants." (Sound_bite) Yang Quan, South Korean tourist: "We traveled here first time, my mum's friends recommended this place. It was a shelter. I think it's a special experience to do." (Voice_over) According to the plan, Chongqing's largest network of air-raid shelters will be transformed into a city-level cultural and tourism complex, establishing a distinctive new consumer landmark that enhances the city's appeal to both domestic and international visitors. (Sound_bite) Zuo Le, Project Executive of the "Underground City": "Chongqing's air-raid shelter culture is unique in the country. We wanted it to serve new purposes and offer fresh experiences to the public. Combining hotpot with these shelters makes the place even more appealing. On busy days, hotpot restaurants have over 100 tables in line, and sales have increased by 45 percent compared to last year." (Voice_over) Since 2018, Chongqing has been transforming air-raid shelters into cultural and consumer spaces, including museums, exhibitions, and bookshops. This initiative has become a key highlight in the city's tourism. In 2024, Chongqing's retail sales of consumer goods grew by 3.6 percent, leading the five pilot cities for international consumption centers, with over one million visitors to the shelters last year. [Restriction: No access Chinese mainland]