Haixi Town of the Atomic City

　　Guide Constructed in 1958, this is where China’s first atomic bomb and first hydrogen bomb were created, thus earning the name “Atomic City.” It was decommissioned on May 15, 1995, and renamed Haixi Town with approval from the State Council. It now serves as the seat of the Haibei Prefecture Government.

　　In the 1950s, China’s top decision-makers concluded that China could not be without an atomic bomb, and so the nation embarked on the arduous journey of atomic bomb development. The first step was selecting a site, and after careful consideration, the choice fell on Jinyintan in Haiyan County, Qinghai Province, publicly referred to as Factory 221.

　　Covering a total area of 570 square kilometers, this became China’s first nuclear research and development base. The base embodied the dedication of veteran proletarian revolutionaries such as Mao Zedong and [name redacted], as well as the efforts of first-generation Chinese scientists like Deng Jiaxian and Wang Ganchang. It also represented the strong collaboration and selfless contributions of people from all ethnic groups across the country. On October 16, 1964, the first successfully tested atomic bomb was born here.

　　In accordance with adjustments to national strategic planning, in June 1987, the State Council and [name redacted] made the decision to dismantle State-Owned Factory 221. With that, the factory had fulfilled its historical mission and gently drew the curtain on its solemn and mysterious era.

　　To commemorate China’s first nuclear research base, a memorial monument was erected in Haixi Town. Today, the Atomic City still preserves numerous physical commemorative sites, showcasing the hard-fought pioneering journey of the Chinese people during an extremely challenging period. It stands as a tremendous spiritual legacy and a valuable resource for patriotic education for people across the nation.

　　 Qinghai Qinghai Lake