In late 2025, archaeologists stunned the world with news of a vast network of ancient tunnels buried beneath a long-forgotten stone city in northern China. This discovery has sparked fresh questions about prehistoric engineering and ancient urban life in East Asia, captivating both scholars and adventurous minds alike.
The tunnels lie deep beneath the ruins of Houchengzui Stone City in Inner Mongolia, a settlement thought to date back roughly 4,300 to 4,500 years, placing it in the era of the Longshan culture, one of the earliest complex societies on the Yellow River fringes.
What makes this discovery so big
Unlike shallow burial sites or simple animal dens, these passages are purposefully constructed and form an extensive web beneath the ancient city’s stone walls. The excavating teams found multiple underground passageways imprinted with human intention, likely linked to defensive systems or internal transport.
As excavation has progressed, researchers have unearthed six distinct tunnels, some several meters below ground, suggesting serious planning and labor went into their creation. Their sheer scale adds a layer of mystery to our understanding of early urban planning and community organization in prehistoric China. This discovery potentially rewrites elements of how we view early societies in this region, showing a sophistication in engineering and spatial organization that few had expected for a city from this era.
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For now, the short answer is no. Tourists cannot walk through these newly discovered tunnels. Although the site of Houchengzui Stone City itself is an archaeological treasure, much of it remains under active study by specialists, and authorities have restricted public access to preserve the fragile structures and ongoing research activities. Excavations of sites this significant are usually closed to casual visitation until proper preservation measures and visitor infrastructure are established.
It is worth contrasting this with other underground sites around the world that are open to visitors. For example, the Beijing Underground City, a Cold War era tunnel network built beneath China’s capital, was once a tourist attraction with organized tours before it closed for renovation in the early 2000s; bits of it were open to travelers at one point but sit largely gated now.
Similarly, China’s Longyou Caves in Zhejiang Province are an accessible archaeological marvel of subterranean architecture, with expansive carved chambers that explorers and history buffs can visit, though they are distinct from the newly unearthed tunnels at Houchengzui.
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So while the newly discovered tunnels are a thrilling addition to the ancient world’s landscape, they remain off-limits to the public as archaeologists carefully document and protect what has been revealed. Over time, parts of the site might become safely accessible, but that is a long-term project involving conservation, permitting, and infrastructure that often takes years, if not decades, to develop.
Archaeological sites you can visit in China’s underground world
While the newly uncovered tunnels beneath the ancient city of Houchengzui are currently off limits to visitors, travelers curious about subterranean archaeology can still experience remarkable underground spaces elsewhere in China. These accessible sites offer real exploration and help bridge the gap until the Houchengzui tunnels might be open to the public.
Zhangbi ancient castle
One of China’s most fascinating accessible underground networks is at Zhangbi Ancient Castle, near Pingyao in Shanxi province. Unlike the restricted tunnels at Houchengzui, Zhangbi’s restored sections of defensive passageways are open for visitors to explore. The network, originally built during the Sui and Tang dynasties, extends for thousands of meters beneath the surface, and today roughly 1,500 meters of these tunnels have been cleared and made safe for tours. You can actually walk through multiple levels of corridors, see old guard stations, storage areas, and imagine how ancient soldiers might have used the space in times of conflict.
The tunnels snake under a historic fortress village that also features cobblestone streets, temples, and traditional courtyard dwellings. Locals still live above some of these underground corridors, blending everyday life with centuries-old history. Visiting Zhangbi provides a visceral sense of the ingenuity and complexity of ancient military architecture in China, and for history lovers, it’s a rare chance to descend into rather than merely observe ruins.
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Kuqa’s underground tomb museum
Another compelling subterranean experience is the Wei and Jin Dynasties Ancient Tombs Site Museum in Kuqa (also spelled Kuche), in northwest China’s Xinjiang region. This site protects and showcases burial chambers discovered beneath what is now a bustling city street. After being unearthed during construction in 2007, the tomb cluster was transformed into an underground museum that opened to the public in July 2024.
Here, visitors descend below the city surface to view original tomb chambers, corridors, and artifacts in situ, with some exhibits enhanced by digital technology such as VR to enrich understanding of burial customs and Silk Road history. The museum’s layout gives travelers a rare perspective on how ancient communities used underground space for culturally significant structures, rather than purely defensive or residential purposes.
Other underground explorations worth considering
While not always subterranean in the same way as defensive tunnels or burial chambers, several regions across China offer historical sites rooted below the surface. For instance, the Wei-Jin tombs near Jiayuguan in Gansu province represent one of the largest clusters of underground tombs with mural art, some of which have been made accessible to tourists. There, tombs dating back to the Wei and Jin periods reveal beautifully preserved wall paintings and offer another layer of underground heritage, a visual narrative of ancient life along the historic Silk Road.
These visited sites underscore China’s rich tapestry of underground archaeology. Unlike the Houchengzui tunnels, which remain under careful archaeological study, places like Zhangbi and Kuqa allow travelers to enter, walk, and feel history beneath their feet. For explorers eager to connect with ancient civilizations in more immersive ways, these destinations provide remarkable experiences that both educate and inspire.
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Tips for travelers curious about China’s underground archaeology
Exploring subterranean history isn’t just about tunnels and tombs — it’s about planning, patience, and perspective. Here are some key tips for travelers who want to make the most of underground sites in China:
Check accessibility before you go
Many newly discovered sites, like the Houchengzui tunnels, remain closed for preservation. Plan visits around locations that are open to the public, such as Zhangbi Castle, Kuqa Tomb Museum, or Longyou Caves.
Hire knowledgeable guides
Underground sites can be maze-like and historically complex. A local guide adds context and ensures you don’t miss the small but significant details hidden in tunnels, chambers, and murals.
Wear comfortable clothing and shoes
Even well-maintained tunnels can be damp, uneven, or narrow. Sneakers or hiking shoes are ideal, and a light jacket can be helpful for cooler underground temperatures.
Mind your timing
Weekdays often see fewer visitors, giving you a more immersive experience. Morning visits are usually quieter, which is perfect for photography and thoughtful exploration.
Learn some local history first
Reading up on the era and culture behind the sites enhances your visit. For instance, understanding the Longshan culture or the Wei and Jin dynasties helps you appreciate why these underground networks were built in the first place.
Combine aboveground and underground explorations
Many subterranean sites are part of broader historical landscapes. Pair tunnel or tomb visits with nearby temples, fortresses, or city ruins for a fuller picture of ancient life.
This approach transforms a simple visit into a multi-layered adventure, letting you appreciate both the engineering marvels hidden below and the cultural landscapes above. I’ve found that taking the time to prepare and research makes these sites feel alive rather than just relics in the earth.
Why this discovery matters for travelers and historians
The excitement surrounding this find is easy to understand. As a traveler, I often look for places that surprise me, ruins that whisper stories, hidden layers that reveal unexpected depth, or landscapes that force us to rethink what we thought we knew about the past. These tunnels do all of that.
The tunnels stand as a potent reminder that beneath familiar ground often lies an unwritten chapter of human achievement and that sometimes the most fascinating parts of travel are not just what we see on the surface, but what we dream to uncover underneath.