816 Nuclear Military Plant, a confidential factory for providing the nuclear raw material for atomic bombs, obtained its construction approval in 1966. It was China’s second nuclear raw material base, given its location in Baitao Town is surrounded by mountains and close to Wujiang River with adequate water. Besides, the artificial cave is also structured by very solid granite.

Today, the Machinery Repair Plant will become a museum themed on the Third Front Movement, which is a large-scale regional industrialization campaign in China. Meanwhile, it will serve as a reminder with the 816-themed Military Town nearby for visitors to review the bygone days of this program.

The old gate of 814 Nuclear Military Plant

It was initially rated as a military secret at the most confidential level, only the code was known to the public. Meanwhile, people were required never to mention “Baitao”, where the plant’s location lies. As “Baitao” had disappeared, this artificial cave was under construction with a hidden plant for nuclear raw material.

Chen Bingzhang, 84 years old now, was responsible for equipment maintenance in the core areas of the nuclear reactor. As time went by, the shuttle bus in the plant was replaced by sightseeing vehicles, bound for the same destination with different landscapes instead.

101 Workshop, a 12-layer building of nearly 80 meters high, is the largest grotto of the 816 Plant and the main powerhouse of the reactor. Looking down from the reactor hall on the eighth floor, visitors will see the nuclear reactor core on the third floor. The nuclear fuel rods, in silvery-white light, are one of the simulation settings to represent the production scene of the atomic energy, though the plant had not been put into operation.

In the control room on the ninth floor, the cabinet, with nothing on, was three walls wide. People had once set up the most advanced computer system at that time there, but currently, only some bare wires are left. On the round control panel, there are 2,001 numbered holes connecting to 2,001 nuclear fuel rods. From the view of Chen Bingzhang, this site was the core of the whole program. During those years, the most talented around China gathered in this room, working hard day and night.

Wujiang River with adequate water

However, influenced by the changing international situations, after 17 years of construction in secret, the program terminated in 1984, when 85% of the building amount and 60% of the installation amount had been completed in this cave.

The 104 Plant was supposed to be China’s first power station utilizing nuclear waste heat. People had even carried a steam turbine there. Today, the simulation scene was created through sound, light, and electricity, trying to bring visitors back to experience the operation atmosphere, though this program also stopped halfway.

In the exhibition hall of the 816 Nuclear Military Plant, you will find that the 80-meter-high 101 Workshop, 100-meter-long 104 Power Plant, and 3-kilometer-long diversion tunnel are only small parts of the whole program. This plant has 18 grottoes and over 130 routes, pilot tunnels, branch tunnels, general channels in total, unfolding the picture of buildings in cave and caves in buildings.

Some walls still have slogans left. Living in modern times, we may read them but not really understand them. However, in the past, the philosophy behind them always inspired the previous generations.

Transportation: Chongqing Ring Expressway - Changshou-Fuling Expressway - National Highway G319 - Wubai Road- Baitao Town - 816 Nuclear Military Plant

Source: Chongqing Broadcast Group816 Nuclear Military Plant