Haibei, Qinghai ProvinceHigh Altitude

The Secret City on the Golden Prairie: Atomic City Memorial Hall and the Birth of the Dragon's Fire

📸Photography 🛤️Highland Aesthetics(高原美学)

Altitude

3,150m

Best Time

☀️ 🍂

Ticket

Paid

🏔️ High Altitude Notice

This location is at 3,150m elevation. Mild altitude sickness may occur. Stay hydrated and avoid strenuous activity on your first day.

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About This Attraction

A Monument to a Secret History

1.Located in Xihai: Town, Haiyan County, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, the Atomic City Memorial Hall stands as a solemn testament to a pivotal chapter in modern Chinese history. This area, situated on the beautiful Jinyintan Prairie (Gold and Silver Beach), was once a restricted zone known only as "Factory 221." It was here, at an altitude of 3,100 meters, that China established its first nuclear weapons development base in 1958. For decades, this site vanished from maps, shrouded in absolute secrecy, as top scientists and engineers gathered under harsh conditions to develop the country's strategic defense capabilities. Today, the memorial hall and the surrounding "Atomic City" serve as a National Patriotic Education Demonstration Base and a key cultural heritage site, revealing the once-classified story of how China's first atomic and hydrogen bombs were born,.

The Birthplace of the "Two Bombs"

The memorial hall itself is the centerpiece of the site, designed to resemble a factory workshop or a bunker, blending into the surrounding landscape. Inside, visitors embark on a journey through history, guided by valuable artifacts, historical photographs, and realistic scene reconstructions. The exhibits detail the arduous process of site selection, construction, and the successful testing of the nuclear devices. It highlights the "Two Bombs, One Satellite" spirit—a dedication to self-reliance and hard work. You can see the simple, often crude instruments used by scientists to perform complex calculations, personal items of the workers who braved the high-altitude cold, and models of the explosive devices that changed the geopolitical landscape. The narrative emphasizes the sacrifice of the researchers who lived anonymously on this plateau, dedicating their youth to the nation,,.

From Restricted Zone to Highland Town

Beyond the museum, the entire Xihai Town is a living museum of industrial heritage mixed with Tibetan culture. After the base was decommissioned in 1987 and the site remediated, it was handed over to the local government in 1993 to become the capital of the Haibei Prefecture. Visitors can explore various preserved sites scattered across the prairie, such as the "No. 1 Branch Factory" (the command center), the "No. 2 Branch Factory" (where the explosive experiments took place), and the "General's Building" where leaders like General Li Jue lived. The juxtaposition of these cold War-era industrial relics against the backdrop of the lush, flower-filled Jinyintan Prairie creates a unique and poignant atmosphere. The town is also famous for the folk song "In a Faraway Place" by Wang Luobin, adding a layer of romantic musical heritage to its stern military history,,,.

A Landscape of Heroism

2.Walking through the Atomic: City is not just a tour of a museum; it is an immersion into a spirit of resilience. The "Peace Monument" stands tall in the plaza, symbolizing the ultimate goal of these weapons: peace and defense. The stark contrast between the serene beauty of the grasslands, with their grazing yaks and sheep, and the history of earth-shaking explosions creates a profound visual and emotional impact. Whether exploring the underground command centers or standing before the monument where the first mushroom cloud rose in spirit, visitors are reminded of the immense human effort that turned this remote "forbidden zone" into a city of science and destiny,.

✨ Why Visit Atomic City Memorial Hall

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A memorial hall on China's first atomic weapon research base, opened in 2009

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Exhibits of declassified historical documents, photos, and equipment from the 1960s

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The original site of the 221 Factory, a top-secret nuclear facility on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

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Displays of life-sized replicas and models of early nuclear devices and delivery systems

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A national patriotic education base showcasing the history of China's nuclear program

Location & Nearby

📍 Haibei, Qinghai Province • 🏔️ 3150m elevation

Frequently Asked Questions - Atomic City Memorial Hall Travel Guide

Where is the Atomic City Memorial Hall located?

It is located in Xihai Town, Haiyan County, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, about 100 kilometers west of Xining,.

What is the significance of "Factory 221"?

Factory 221 was China's first nuclear weapons research and production base. It is where China's first atomic bomb and first hydrogen bomb were successfully developed,.

Is it safe to visit regarding radiation?

Yes. The base was decommissioned in 1987, and extensive environmental remediation was conducted before it was handed over to the local government. It has been declared safe for tourism and habitation,.

What is the best time to visit?

The best time is from July to September. During these months, the Jinyintan Prairie is lush green with blooming flowers, and the weather is most comfortable. Winters can be very cold and harsh.

Is there an entrance fee?

Yes, there is typically an entrance fee for the Memorial Hall and a through ticket available that covers multiple sites within the Atomic City area (prices may vary, historically around 90 RMB for a combo ticket).

Why do you include Chinese characters and Pinyin in the descriptions for Atomic City Memorial Hall?

We provide the original Chinese names and Pinyin to make your travel smoother. Since English is rarely spoken in remote parts of Western China, you can easily show these Chinese names to local taxi drivers, hotel staff, or police when asking for help, or copy-paste them directly into Chinese navigation apps like Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps.