News
China opens nuclear weapons base
03 May 2007
Tourists are now being allowed to visit China's first nuclear weapons base after the site was declassified.
Authorities are hoping that thousands of people will visit the area which saw the birth of nuclear and hydrogen bombs in the country.
Built in 1958, the base covers a 1,100 square-kilometre region and has been out of action since the 1980s, reports the Xinhua news agency.
The opening of the base as a tourist destination is being seen as a rare move by the Chinese government which is famed for its staunch defence of national secrets.
However, officials say that all visitors are welcome and they expect much interest to be generated by the site.
'The underground headquarters of the nuclear weapons research and production base are a curiosity to many people,' Zuo Xumin told the agency.
'They can see the 'nuclear city' for themselves. The base will be developed into a key travel site, and it will become a platform for spurring the patriotic spirit of Chinese people.'
A museum has been put in place at the base, offering visitors a glimpse of some of the machinery used when it was fully functioning.
If you'd like to see this destination for yourself, use Opodo's travel search engine to find flights, hotels, holidays and car hire worldwide.
© Adfero Ltd
Authorities are hoping that thousands of people will visit the area which saw the birth of nuclear and hydrogen bombs in the country.
Built in 1958, the base covers a 1,100 square-kilometre region and has been out of action since the 1980s, reports the Xinhua news agency.
The opening of the base as a tourist destination is being seen as a rare move by the Chinese government which is famed for its staunch defence of national secrets.
However, officials say that all visitors are welcome and they expect much interest to be generated by the site.
'The underground headquarters of the nuclear weapons research and production base are a curiosity to many people,' Zuo Xumin told the agency.
'They can see the 'nuclear city' for themselves. The base will be developed into a key travel site, and it will become a platform for spurring the patriotic spirit of Chinese people.'
A museum has been put in place at the base, offering visitors a glimpse of some of the machinery used when it was fully functioning.
If you'd like to see this destination for yourself, use Opodo's travel search engine to find flights, hotels, holidays and car hire worldwide.
© Adfero Ltd
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