China turns nuclear submarine into a museum allowing tourists a glimpse into Beijing's mighty military power

  • China has joined four other countries in retaining a nuclear submarine after it has been decommissioned
  • From April 25, tourists at Qingdao Navy Museum have been able to explore the submarine's interior
  • The sub is a Type 091 which was based on technology from the 1950s and 1960s

By Sophie Williams For Mailonline

Published: 12:15 EDT, 27 April 2017 | Updated: 17:32 EDT, 27 April 2017

A museum in China has put the country's first ever nuclear-powered submarine on display in celebration of the 68th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army Navy. 

There are only four other countries that have retained a nuclear powered submarine after it has been decommissioned. 

As of April 25, tourists have been able to explore the submarine and get first hand experience on what it's like onboard. 

The decommissioned Type 091 nuclear submarine Long March 1 is on display at the Chinese Navy Museum in Qingdao City, east China's Shandong province. The new attraction at the museum opened on April 25

The decommissioned Type 091 nuclear submarine Long March 1 is on display at the Chinese Navy Museum in Qingdao City, east China's Shandong province. The new attraction at the museum opened on April 25

A view of the control panel in the submarine which is now on display to members of the public at Qingdao Naval Museum

A view of the control panel in the submarine which is now on display to members of the public at Qingdao Naval Museum

The type 091 nuclear submarine was produced using technology from the 1950s and 1960s and has short range weapons. The submarine would usually be equipped with six torpedo tubes

The type 091 nuclear submarine was produced using technology from the 1950s and 1960s and has short range weapons. The submarine would usually be equipped with six torpedo tubes

The 091 type submarine would usually be equipped with six torpedo tubes using technology from the 1950s and 1960s

The 091 type submarine would usually be equipped with six torpedo tubes using technology from the 1950s and 1960s

A view of the cabin door in the decommissioned 091 nuclear submarine which had been in service for around 40 years

A view of the cabin door in the decommissioned 091 nuclear submarine which had been in service for around 40 years

The submarine was decommissioned in 2013 after 40 years of service. 

It is a 091 Han Class Chengzheng-1 submarine which was based on technology from the 1950s and 1960s. The submarine would have contained short range weapons. 

The submarine would usually be equipped with six torpedo tubes. 

According to UPI, plans for the submarine began in 1958 with the 328-feet-long Changzheng submarine launching in December 1970. 

The submarine is the first of its kind to go on display at the Naval Museum in Qingdao on the coast of east China's Shandong province. Visitors were able to access the attraction from April 25

The submarine is the first of its kind to go on display at the Naval Museum in Qingdao on the coast of east China's Shandong province. Visitors were able to access the attraction from April 25

The decommissioning of the submarine, together with the safe disposal of its nuclear reactors and waste, indicates China is able to handle the disposal of its nuclear fleet when they retire

The decommissioning of the submarine, together with the safe disposal of its nuclear reactors and waste, indicates China is able to handle the disposal of its nuclear fleet when they retire

Plans for the submarine began in 1958 with the 328-feet-long Changzheng submarine launching in December 1970

Plans for the submarine began in 1958 with the 328-feet-long Changzheng submarine launching in December 1970

An interior view of the sleeping area in the decommissioned 091 nuclear submarine known as the Long March 1 after the communists' arduous march during a civil war

An interior view of the sleeping area in the decommissioned 091 nuclear submarine known as the Long March 1 after the communists' arduous march during a civil war

It is a 091 Han Class Chengzheng-1 submarine which was based on technology from the 1950s and 1960s. The submarine would have contained short range weapons
Visitors are now able to tour a nuclear submarine for the first time in Qingdao

It is a 091 Han Class Chengzheng-1 submarine which was based on technology from the 1950s and 1960s. The submarine would have contained short range weapons

Qingdao Naval Museum was built in 1989 and is the only museum in the country that shows visitors how the Chinese Navy has developed over time. 

It's thought that this first look into the nuclear submarine is significant as China rarely offers pictures or tours of its nuclear submarines. They are thought to be one of the People's Liberation Army's most powerful assets. 

The navy has never released information about its nuclear submarines' construction, commissioning or deployment. 

At the time of its decommissioning, a member of the naval authorities told Global Times: 'The submarine's release from military service and the safe, thorough and reliable handling of related nuclear waste, nuclear reactor and other devices showed China's life-cycle maintenance ability, ranging from a nuclear submarine's production, operation, management to disposal.'  

A view of the nuclear reactor compartment: The navy has never released information about its nuclear submarines' construction, commissioning or deployment before

A view of the nuclear reactor compartment: The navy has never released information about its nuclear submarines' construction, commissioning or deployment before

An interior view of the kitchen in the decomissioned submarine now part of a museum exhibition on the coast of China: Qingdao Naval Museum was built in 1989 and is the only museum in the country that shows visitors how the Chinese Navy has developed over time

An interior view of the kitchen in the decomissioned submarine now part of a museum exhibition on the coast of China: Qingdao Naval Museum was built in 1989 and is the only museum in the country that shows visitors how the Chinese Navy has developed over time

It is a 091 Han Class Chengzheng-1 submarine which was based on technology from the 1950s and 1960s. The submarine would have contained short range weapons. The submarine would usually be equipped with six torpedo tubes

It is a 091 Han Class Chengzheng-1 submarine which was based on technology from the 1950s and 1960s. The submarine would have contained short range weapons. The submarine would usually be equipped with six torpedo tubes

The decommissioned Type-091 nuclear submarine Long March 1 is on display at the Chinese Navy Museum in Qingdao city, east China's Shandong province

The decommissioned Type-091 nuclear submarine Long March 1 is on display at the Chinese Navy Museum in Qingdao city, east China's Shandong province

A view of radiation-proof clothes in the submarine: The decommissioning of the submarine, together with the safe disposal of its nuclear reactors and waste, indicates China is able to not only develop and operate nuclear submarines, but also properly handle them when they retire

A view of radiation-proof clothes in the submarine: The decommissioning of the submarine, together with the safe disposal of its nuclear reactors and waste, indicates China is able to not only develop and operate nuclear submarines, but also properly handle them when they retire

It comes following the release of a video by the Chinese military of the country's nuclear ballistic missile submarines for the first time. 

The propaganda video shows what is believed to be the Type 092 vessels .  

Footage also shows soldiers launching a ballistic missile from a submarine in an undated clip.  

It's believed that China has four types of nuclear submarines, namely the Type 091, 092, 093 and 094.

The Type 091 and 093 are nuclear attack submarines while the other two are nuclear missile submarines.

The Type 094 is the country's latest nuclear missile submarines, based on Hainan Island, southern China. The construction of the first 094 started in 1999 and finished in 2004.

The country is said to have four Type 092 and four Type 094.

An interior view of a meeting and operation room in the sub: Type-091 submarines were produced based on technology from the 1950s and 1960s, and have short-range weapons

An interior view of a meeting and operation room in the sub: Type-091 submarines were produced based on technology from the 1950s and 1960s, and have short-range weapons

It's believed that China has four types of nuclear submarines, namely the Type 091, 092, 093 and 094. The Type 091 and 093 are nuclear attack submarines while the other two are nuclear missile submarines

It's believed that China has four types of nuclear submarines, namely the Type 091, 092, 093 and 094. The Type 091 and 093 are nuclear attack submarines while the other two are nuclear missile submarines

An interior view of the command cabin: The new attraction in Qingdao comes following the release of a video by the Chinese military of the country's nuclear ballistic missile submarines for the first time

An interior view of the command cabin: The new attraction in Qingdao comes following the release of a video by the Chinese military of the country's nuclear ballistic missile submarines for the first time

Comments 53

Share what you think

  View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

  View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.