This year’s “May Day” holiday has shown a new trend in tourism of “heavyweight, close proximity“. Numerous tourists chose it to be their holiday destination, proud to witness the super projects and national treasures of various places, hoping to see these magnificent projects firsthand and gain an opportunity to increase knowledge and experience something new.
The space launch site in Wenchang, Hainan, was particularly popular during the “May Day” period, thanks to the preparations for the “Chang’e 6” lunar mission. According to data, approximately eighty thousand tourists flocked there on the day of the rocket launch. The “Chinese Sky Eye” FAST in Pingtang, Guizhou, and the thermal and photovoltaic power stations in Gonghe County, Qinghai Province, were also popular tourist destinations, their grand scale drawing a steady stream of self-driving visitors.
In the charm of space tourism, visitors at the Wenchang Space Science Education Center braved the rain to watch the rocket launch on the screen and recorded the historic moment with their mobile phones. The space carnival held at Qishui Bay Beach also attracted many participants. Tourists took photos next to simulated “moon” and “rocket” models.
On the evening of May 3rd, a concert themed “Chasing Space Dreams and Enjoying Folk Music” was held in Longlou Town. The concert brought together the Central National Orchestra and representatives from the aerospace field, embodying the perfect integration of traditional culture and the spirit of space exploration, presenting local residents and tourists with impressive performances.
The enthusiasm for space went beyond watching rocket launches. The safe return of the Shenzhou-17 crew and the successful launch of the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship also attracted many tourists eager to witness these events. This craze even led to a situation where tickets to Dongfeng Space City in Ejina Banner, Inner Mongolia, were incredibly difficult to obtain. Undoubtedly, family tourism, educational tours, and teams of astronomy enthusiasts became the main force in space tourism.
Close Experience of the Charm of Space
At the manned space launch site, historical exhibition halls, and other main attractions in the space cities, visitors have the opportunity to feel the infinite charm of space up close. People take photographs and check in, or stop by to dive deeper into learning. Particularly at the Wentian Pavilion, around the chair once sat in by astronauts before their missions, visitors flock continuously, eager to take photos and experience the feeling of being “astronauts.”
Building Dreams of the Starry Skies, “Chinese Sky Eye” Welcomes a Tide of Visitors
The astronomical town in Kedu Town, Pingtang County, Guizhou Province, saw a surge of tourists coming to learn during the “May Day” holiday. Numerous domestic and international visitors came to see the spectacle of the “Chinese Sky Eye”. Parents with children touring the site were a common sight. Here, visitors could not only closely observe the majestic Chinese Sky Eye but also delve into astronomy lessons and practical experiences at themed venues such as the Pingtang International Astronomy Experience Hall, the Astronomical Time and Space Tower, the Star Journey Space VR Experience Hall, and the Ball Screen Flight Cinema. They could also learn about the construction history and rich astronomical knowledge of the Chinese Sky Eye, listen to the sounds of pulsars, and explore the mysteries of the universe. And now, the Chinese Sky Eye’s free observation project has opened up to the world, attracting many overseas astronomy enthusiasts.
The highland scenery is beautiful, offering a new choice for industrial tourism
This “May Day” holiday, the Longyangxia Hydropower Station and the solar thermal power towers in Gonghe County, Hainan Prefecture, Qinghai Province, have become new favorites for tourists. Visitors here can enjoy the natural beauty of the canyon while experiencing a knowledge-rich industrial tour. At the Longyangxia viewing platform in Qinghai, there is a constant stream of visitors, where one can not only see the magnificent Longyangxia Hydropower Station but also the dazzling solar thermal power towers in the nearby Talatan Photovoltaic Power Park. Moreover, tourists can opt to take a cruise boat, weaving through the picturesque lakes and mountains, relishing the beautiful plateau scenery. Situated opposite the Longyangxia Hydropower Station is the Talatan Photovoltaic Power Park, which includes both a solar thermal power station and a photovoltaic power station, covering a total area of over 600 square kilometers, becoming a unique tourist attraction.
