Part 5/11:
The underground city spans an astounding 85 square kilometers, equivalent to approximately half the size of Washington, D.C. However, contrary to governmental claims, independent estimates suggest that it could realistically shelter only several hundred thousand people. Despite this limitation, the scale was monumental, with various amenities ensuring a semblance of normal life in the event of a nuclear apocalypse.
Amenities included living quarters, hospitals, schools, and even recreational spaces, illustrating a vivid ambition for survival. Post-completion, remnants of the complex were repurposed over time into makeshift housing, markets, and cultural hubs, reflecting the shifting demands of Beijing’s population.