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The Chinese have long revered their sacred mountains, which attract thousands of pilgrims every year who come to pay respects at religious sites linked to their beliefs.

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However, beneath the feet of these pilgrims, hidden within the dense granite formations of these mountains, lies a secret network of tunnels stretching 3,100 miles—an existential threat to China’s enemies, according to the British newspaper Daily Mail.

These winding tunnels house the Chinese military’s secret strategic missile unit, responsible for maintaining and launching Dongfeng intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) when necessary.

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The Dongfeng-41 is the latest model in this series, boasting a range of 9,000 miles—outperforming the American Minuteman III missile, which has a range of 8,700 miles.

Many of these missiles are stored as deep as 330 feet beneath China’s mountains, forming what is known as the Underground Great Wall of China—which Beijing promotes as its last resort in the event of a nuclear war.

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A Formidable Strike Force

Thanks to their deeply entrenched strategic positioning within these tunnels—nicknamed Dragon Palaces—China could launch retaliatory strikes within just 10 minutes of a nuclear attack.

Rare footage broadcast by Chinese media shows soldiers marching in perfect formation alongside powerful weapons, while workers wearing protective helmets dig and expand these massive tunnels. One sign at the construction site read: “Participate with determination to create a combat-ready and victorious site.”

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Secret Tactics and Military Deception

The Dragon Palaces remain shrouded in secrecy due to the Chinese government’s strict policies. Chinese scholar Qian Qihu stated in 2019 that this Underground Steel Great Wall serves as “the nation’s last line of defense.”

According to Chinese media reports, the sheer scale of these tunnels is part of China’s military strategy. Some corridors contain decoy missile launch platforms designed to mislead potential adversaries.

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This tactic allows the Chinese military to relocate real missiles to safer locations in case the tunnels come under attack.

Current estimates suggest that China possesses around 500 nuclear warheads, though Beijing refuses to disclose the exact number, considering it a state secret.

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A Harsh Life inside Nuclear Bases

Soldiers responsible for the maintenance and deployment of these missiles undergo rigorous training and adhere to a strict lifestyle, with carefully scheduled sleeping, eating, and military drills.

Military instructor Yue Lei asserts: “You can only sleep or wake up upon order. Your daily schedule is dictated entirely by training needs and combat requirements.”

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Li Min, a unit commander, emphasizes that this training ensures constant combat readiness: “Through this training, we make sure that we are always on alert, day and night, to effectively strike our targets.”

Space Arms Race and Risks of Conflict

As China expands its military capabilities, a senior U.S. official has warned of Chinese drills simulating dogfights in space—a term referring to satellite combat maneuvers.

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General Michael Guetlein, Deputy Chief of Space Operations for the U.S. Space Force, revealed that China has been conducting advanced training exercises for maneuvering satellites strategically: “We have observed five distinct objects moving with precision and synchronization, as if engaging in real space combat.”

He also highlighted new Chinese technologies, including stealth satellites capable of splitting into two separate units, satellites designed to chase U.S. satellites, and others equipped with mechanical arms potentially intended for offensive purposes.

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