Chongqing — As high temperatures persist in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, an air raid shelter in Wulongmiao, Jiulongpo District, has become a popular destination by offering visitors not only relief from the summer heat but also live music and cultural experiences.

The shelter, which serves as a public cooling space during the summer, has been transformed into a themed venue featuring decorations inspired by the Indigenous cultures of the Americas. Stone pillars, masks, musical instruments, woven handicrafts, and wooden furnishings create a distinctive atmosphere for residents and tourists seeking respite from the heat.

The artwork is displayed inside the Wulongmiao air raid shelter cooling space in Jiulongpo District, Chongqing. (Photo/Zheng Yu)

Chen Xiaoming, Party branch secretary and honorary president of a Chongqing hulusi and bawu association, said the idea grew out of suggestions from audiences who had followed his outdoor performances.

Chen and his team have spent years performing music inspired by the Indigenous cultures of the Americas at public venues across Chongqing, including Ciqikou Ancient Town. However, performances were often canceled because of extreme heat or rain.

"Many people told us they hoped we could find a permanent venue where music could continue regardless of the weather," Chen said.

The team later chose the shelter in Wulongmiao, a tunnel about 300 meters long that remains naturally cool throughout the summer. Located near Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, it provided ample space for both performances and visitors escaping the heat.

Residents relax inside the Wulongmiao air raid shelter cooling space in Jiulongpo District, Chongqing. (Photo/Zheng Yu)

After converting about 100 meters of the tunnel into a performance area, the team staged its first show there in mid-June. Community residents, music enthusiasts and students filled the venue to watch musicians dressed in traditional Indigenous-style costumes perform on instruments including the pan flute.

The combination of free cooling services, live performances and themed displays has attracted a growing number of visitors.

Chen said the shelter had received relatively few visitors before the renovation. Since the performances began and videos were shared on social media, the venue has welcomed about 20 to 30 visitors a day, with significantly larger crowds on weekends.

Last week, several international visitors carrying their own instruments unexpectedly joined one of the performances after learning about the venue online, Chen said.

Visitors are also invited to try some of the instruments themselves. One of the most popular is the handpan, a steel percussion instrument known for its resonant, melodic sound. Chen regularly demonstrates how to play it and offers guidance to first-time visitors.

The site continues to provide free services, including seating, Wi-Fi, and drinking water.

Construction is underway nearby to add a parking area and public restrooms.

Chen said he hopes the venue will continue expanding its services while providing residents and tourists with a distinctive cultural experience during Chongqing's hot summer months.

Every summer, Chongqing opens public cooling spaces, many of them inside former civil air-defense shelters, providing residents and visitors with free places to escape prolonged periods of high temperatures