Deep below the busy streets of Shanghai 'The Shelter' night-club is open for business.<br/> <br />It's name is particularly apt.<br/> <br />It's the latest occupant of what was one of the many bomb shelters built in the city during the 1969 and 70s.<br/> <br />Thousands were excavated as fears of air raids by the then Soviet Union grew in the face of souring relations between the two communist countries.<br/> <br />Today those who've followed the dark tunnels to its dimly lit night-spot interior say it's a friendly kind of place to be.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: BARRY LU, SHANGHAI RESIDENT, SAYING (Mandarin):<br/> <br />"I wanted to come last week because I liked the music. When I was walked through the tunnel the place was already rocking."<br/> <br />Founder and co-owner Gary Wang has another reason to find the bunker particularly appealing.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: GARY WANG, FOUNDER AND CO-OWNER OF 'THE SHELTER' SAYING (Mandarin):<br/> <br />"The most important thing is that we can play the music we like in this place."<br/> <br />Most of the bomb shelters have now gone, demolished to make way for Shanghai's sprawling subway network.<br/> <br />Historian Jin Dalu says those that survive are let out by the government.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: JIN DALU, HISTORY PROFESSOR AT SHANGHAI ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, SAYING (Mandarin):<br/> <br />"For the five to six per cent of the shelters that are still useable today they have to be of a certain standard. They have electricity and water supplies and proper ventilation. You can have an office in there or stage small events."<br/> <br />Local wine distributor Ruby Red is another occupant of the old bomb shelters.<br/> <br />The firm says the naturally cool temperature and relatively moist atmosphere is ideal to store its products.<br/> <br />The shelters were built all those years ago for protection from bombs that never fell.<br/> <br />More than half a century on they're finding a whole new lease of life in a very different world political climate.<br/> <br />Paul Chapman, Reuters
