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Gimme shelter: Air-raid refuge for beating the heat

By Chen Qianqing | July 13, 2009, Monday | Print Edition

NINE old air-raid shelters have been renovated and turned into really cool spots for refuge from the Hangzhou heat. People spend the day and picnic there.

Some are quiet, some bustling and filled with Yueju Opera. One offers free drinking water, one is so chilly you need to take a quilt if you plan to hang out.

Now they are known as cooling-off shelters, open to the public from 8:30am to 10:30pm every day through to August 31. Many are in appealing locations with restaurants and pleasant scenery.

Forest Bar in Xiacheng District

The air-raid shelter has been renovated into a bar. It is only open to the public for free before 5:30pm, then it becomes a watering hole.

It's a quiet place to read and for children to do their summer homework.

It offers free, cool drinking water.

Location: Baochu Qianshan parking lot

Transport: Buses K7, K27, K81, K850, Y2, Y3, Y9, K6

Wushan Fun FairThis the biggest of all shelters and it's quite cold, so bundle up and take a quilt to stay comfortable.

It is adjacent to two well-known dim-sum restaurants, Wushan Dim-sum and Zhi Wei Guan, which is more than 100 years old.

Location: 38 Fourth Archway

Transport: Buses K8, K13, K87, K159, K198, K308, K801, K808, K834, Y6, K195

Baolu Hotel

This summer resort stands at the foot of Baoshishan (Gem Hill). The above-ground part has almost no window, but many people book a month's stay to enjoy the scenery.

Location: 19, Lane 4, Baoshishanxia

Transport: Buses K16, K25, Y4, K73, K78

Shuguang Road Tunnel

This shelter in the city center is very accessible and Yueju Opera is often performed there. Some opera fans take their own erhu (two-string Chinese fiddles) and join the performers.

Location: 97-1 Shuguang Rd

Transport: Buses 527, K850, K81

Mantoushan Tunnel

The Mantoushan shelter is surrounded by old buildings near the West Lake.

Walking in the lanes that lead to the shelter is a nostalgic journey into the past. You can sample tasty local dim-sum, meat wonton, steamed buns and noodles.

Location: 27 Mantoushan Rd

Transport: Bus 834

Baimaxiang Tunnel in Shangcheng District

The only drawback is high humidity, but this year dehumidifiers were installed.

Nearby is Taimiao Square where people can buy fruits and snacks to enjoy in the shelter.

Location: 48 Baimamiao Lane

Transport: Buses K13, K834, K308, K87, K198, K195

Hanggang Tunnel in Gongshu District

The shelter is inside Hanggang dormitory. Just a five-minute walk away is a noodle shop called Tianyuan, meaning "countryside." The Hangzhou specialty is Pian'er Chuan noodle.

Location: Left of Hanggang bathhouse

Transport: Buses K198, 528, K75

Scenic Yuhuangshan Hill

At the foot of the hill, the old air-raid shelter is in one of Hangzhou's most scenic spots in Nanshan Village with beautiful views.

It's perfect for a ramble, if it's not too hot. You can refresh in tea houses near the shelter.

Location: Yuhuangshan Tunnel

Transport: Buses K12, 809, Y3

Xishantou Tunnel in Xiaoshan District

The air quality used to be a problem but big fans were installed this year to circulate air.

There's no nearby eatery where you can get take-out food for your stay in the shelter. Bring your own.

Location: Xishan Park

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