Astronomy-themed little town in China's Guizhou takes advantage of FAST to develop tourism-Xinhua

Astronomy-themed little town in China's Guizhou takes advantage of FAST to develop tourism

新华网

Editor: huaxia

2025-02-22 15:00:57

A woman tidies up a room in a sci-fi style homestay in Kedu Town of Pingtang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province on Feb. 19, 2025. In 2007, Pingtang County launched a relocation program that involved 6,653 rural residents from Kedu and Tangbian townships. The program was implemented in order to prepare for the construction of the FAST (Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope), also known as the "China Sky Eye." Located in a naturally deep and round karst depression in Guizhou, FAST was completed in 2016 and started formal operations in 2020.

Kedu Township started a plan to transform itself into an astronomy-themed town from September 2015, taking advantage of its proximity to the FAST. Many relocated rural residents have found jobs or started their own businesses in the town.

Today's Kedu Town is full of sense of science, technology and future with landmarks such as experience planetarium, time tower, interstellar community, astronomical time village and others. Since the launch of the "China Sky Eye," Kedu Township, the astronomy-themed little town nestled in mountains, has received more than 28.5 million tourists with a comprehensive tourism revenue exceeding 26 billion yuan (about 3.59 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

A tourist visits an experience planetarium in Kedu Town of Pingtang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 18, 2025. In 2007, Pingtang County launched a relocation program that involved 6,653 rural residents from Kedu and Tangbian townships. The program was implemented in order to prepare for the construction of the FAST (Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope), also known as the "China Sky Eye." Located in a naturally deep and round karst depression in Guizhou, FAST was completed in 2016 and started formal operations in 2020.

Kedu Township started a plan to transform itself into an astronomy-themed town from September 2015, taking advantage of its proximity to the FAST. Many relocated rural residents have found jobs or started their own businesses in the town.

Today's Kedu Town is full of sense of science, technology and future with landmarks such as experience planetarium, time tower, interstellar community, astronomical time village and others. Since the launch of the "China Sky Eye," Kedu Township, the astronomy-themed little town nestled in mountains, has received more than 28.5 million tourists with a comprehensive tourism revenue exceeding 26 billion yuan (about 3.59 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

This photo taken on Feb. 18, 2025 shows an interior view of a space science and technology museum in Kedu Town of Pingtang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 18, 2025. In 2007, Pingtang County launched a relocation program that involved 6,653 rural residents from Kedu and Tangbian townships. The program was implemented in order to prepare for the construction of the FAST (Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope), also known as the "China Sky Eye." Located in a naturally deep and round karst depression in Guizhou, FAST was completed in 2016 and started formal operations in 2020.

Kedu Township started a plan to transform itself into an astronomy-themed town from September 2015, taking advantage of its proximity to the FAST. Many relocated rural residents have found jobs or started their own businesses in the town.

Today's Kedu Town is full of sense of science, technology and future with landmarks such as experience planetarium, time tower, interstellar community, astronomical time village and others. Since the launch of the "China Sky Eye," Kedu Township, the astronomy-themed little town nestled in mountains, has received more than 28.5 million tourists with a comprehensive tourism revenue exceeding 26 billion yuan (about 3.59 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

People watch a digital dome screen film at an experience planetarium in Kedu Town of Pingtang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 18, 2025. In 2007, Pingtang County launched a relocation program that involved 6,653 rural residents from Kedu and Tangbian townships. The program was implemented in order to prepare for the construction of the FAST (Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope), also known as the "China Sky Eye." Located in a naturally deep and round karst depression in Guizhou, FAST was completed in 2016 and started formal operations in 2020.

Kedu Township started a plan to transform itself into an astronomy-themed town from September 2015, taking advantage of its proximity to the FAST. Many relocated rural residents have found jobs or started their own businesses in the town.

Today's Kedu Town is full of sense of science, technology and future with landmarks such as experience planetarium, time tower, interstellar community, astronomical time village and others. Since the launch of the "China Sky Eye," Kedu Township, the astronomy-themed little town nestled in mountains, has received more than 28.5 million tourists with a comprehensive tourism revenue exceeding 26 billion yuan (about 3.59 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 18, 2025 shows an experience planetarium in Kedu Town of Pingtang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province. In 2007, Pingtang County launched a relocation program that involved 6,653 rural residents from Kedu and Tangbian townships. The program was implemented in order to prepare for the construction of the FAST (Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope), also known as the "China Sky Eye." Located in a naturally deep and round karst depression in Guizhou, FAST was completed in 2016 and started formal operations in 2020.

Kedu Township started a plan to transform itself into an astronomy-themed town from September 2015, taking advantage of its proximity to the FAST. Many relocated rural residents have found jobs or started their own businesses in the town.

Today's Kedu Town is full of sense of science, technology and future with landmarks such as experience planetarium, time tower, interstellar community, astronomical time village and others. Since the launch of the "China Sky Eye," Kedu Township, the astronomy-themed little town nestled in mountains, has received more than 28.5 million tourists with a comprehensive tourism revenue exceeding 26 billion yuan (about 3.59 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

Tourists visit an experience planetarium in Kedu Town of Pingtang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 18, 2025. In 2007, Pingtang County launched a relocation program that involved 6,653 rural residents from Kedu and Tangbian townships. The program was implemented in order to prepare for the construction of the FAST (Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope), also known as the "China Sky Eye." Located in a naturally deep and round karst depression in Guizhou, FAST was completed in 2016 and started formal operations in 2020.

Kedu Township started a plan to transform itself into an astronomy-themed town from September 2015, taking advantage of its proximity to the FAST. Many relocated rural residents have found jobs or started their own businesses in the town.

Today's Kedu Town is full of sense of science, technology and future with landmarks such as experience planetarium, time tower, interstellar community, astronomical time village and others. Since the launch of the "China Sky Eye," Kedu Township, the astronomy-themed little town nestled in mountains, has received more than 28.5 million tourists with a comprehensive tourism revenue exceeding 26 billion yuan (about 3.59 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 18, 2025 shows a view of Kedu Town of Pingtang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province. In 2007, Pingtang County launched a relocation program that involved 6,653 rural residents from Kedu and Tangbian townships. The program was implemented in order to prepare for the construction of the FAST (Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope), also known as the "China Sky Eye." Located in a naturally deep and round karst depression in Guizhou, FAST was completed in 2016 and started formal operations in 2020.

Kedu Township started a plan to transform itself into an astronomy-themed town from September 2015, taking advantage of its proximity to the FAST. Many relocated rural residents have found jobs or started their own businesses in the town.

Today's Kedu Town is full of sense of science, technology and future with landmarks such as experience planetarium, time tower, interstellar community, astronomical time village and others. Since the launch of the "China Sky Eye," Kedu Township, the astronomy-themed little town nestled in mountains, has received more than 28.5 million tourists with a comprehensive tourism revenue exceeding 26 billion yuan (about 3.59 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 18, 2025 shows a view of Kedu Town of Pingtang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province. In 2007, Pingtang County launched a relocation program that involved 6,653 rural residents from Kedu and Tangbian townships. The program was implemented in order to prepare for the construction of the FAST (Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope), also known as the "China Sky Eye." Located in a naturally deep and round karst depression in Guizhou, FAST was completed in 2016 and started formal operations in 2020.

Kedu Township started a plan to transform itself into an astronomy-themed town from September 2015, taking advantage of its proximity to the FAST. Many relocated rural residents have found jobs or started their own businesses in the town.

Today's Kedu Town is full of sense of science, technology and future with landmarks such as experience planetarium, time tower, interstellar community, astronomical time village and others. Since the launch of the "China Sky Eye," Kedu Township, the astronomy-themed little town nestled in mountains, has received more than 28.5 million tourists with a comprehensive tourism revenue exceeding 26 billion yuan (about 3.59 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

A staff member gestures while guiding tourists to experience extended reality (XR) at an XR immersive experience center in Kedu Town of Pingtang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 18, 2025. In 2007, Pingtang County launched a relocation program that involved 6,653 rural residents from Kedu and Tangbian townships. The program was implemented in order to prepare for the construction of the FAST (Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope), also known as the "China Sky Eye." Located in a naturally deep and round karst depression in Guizhou, FAST was completed in 2016 and started formal operations in 2020.

Kedu Township started a plan to transform itself into an astronomy-themed town from September 2015, taking advantage of its proximity to the FAST. Many relocated rural residents have found jobs or started their own businesses in the town.

Today's Kedu Town is full of sense of science, technology and future with landmarks such as experience planetarium, time tower, interstellar community, astronomical time village and others. Since the launch of the "China Sky Eye," Kedu Township, the astronomy-themed little town nestled in mountains, has received more than 28.5 million tourists with a comprehensive tourism revenue exceeding 26 billion yuan (about 3.59 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

Astronaut sculptures are pictured in a hotel in Kedu Town of Pingtang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province on Feb. 18, 2025. In 2007, Pingtang County launched a relocation program that involved 6,653 rural residents from Kedu and Tangbian townships. The program was implemented in order to prepare for the construction of the FAST (Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope), also known as the "China Sky Eye." Located in a naturally deep and round karst depression in Guizhou, FAST was completed in 2016 and started formal operations in 2020.

Kedu Township started a plan to transform itself into an astronomy-themed town from September 2015, taking advantage of its proximity to the FAST. Many relocated rural residents have found jobs or started their own businesses in the town.

Today's Kedu Town is full of sense of science, technology and future with landmarks such as experience planetarium, time tower, interstellar community, astronomical time village and others. Since the launch of the "China Sky Eye," Kedu Township, the astronomy-themed little town nestled in mountains, has received more than 28.5 million tourists with a comprehensive tourism revenue exceeding 26 billion yuan (about 3.59 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

Tourists visit an VR experience hall in Kedu Town of Pingtang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 18, 2025. In 2007, Pingtang County launched a relocation program that involved 6,653 rural residents from Kedu and Tangbian townships. The program was implemented in order to prepare for the construction of the FAST (Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope), also known as the "China Sky Eye." Located in a naturally deep and round karst depression in Guizhou, FAST was completed in 2016 and started formal operations in 2020.

Kedu Township started a plan to transform itself into an astronomy-themed town from September 2015, taking advantage of its proximity to the FAST. Many relocated rural residents have found jobs or started their own businesses in the town.

Today's Kedu Town is full of sense of science, technology and future with landmarks such as experience planetarium, time tower, interstellar community, astronomical time village and others. Since the launch of the "China Sky Eye," Kedu Township, the astronomy-themed little town nestled in mountains, has received more than 28.5 million tourists with a comprehensive tourism revenue exceeding 26 billion yuan (about 3.59 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

A tourist experiences extended reality (XR) at an XR immersive experience center in Kedu Town of Pingtang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 18, 2025. In 2007, Pingtang County launched a relocation program that involved 6,653 rural residents from Kedu and Tangbian townships. The program was implemented in order to prepare for the construction of the FAST (Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope), also known as the "China Sky Eye." Located in a naturally deep and round karst depression in Guizhou, FAST was completed in 2016 and started formal operations in 2020.

Kedu Township started a plan to transform itself into an astronomy-themed town from September 2015, taking advantage of its proximity to the FAST. Many relocated rural residents have found jobs or started their own businesses in the town.

Today's Kedu Town is full of sense of science, technology and future with landmarks such as experience planetarium, time tower, interstellar community, astronomical time village and others. Since the launch of the "China Sky Eye," Kedu Township, the astronomy-themed little town nestled in mountains, has received more than 28.5 million tourists with a comprehensive tourism revenue exceeding 26 billion yuan (about 3.59 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 18, 2025 shows a view of Kedu Town of Pingtang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province. In 2007, Pingtang County launched a relocation program that involved 6,653 rural residents from Kedu and Tangbian townships. The program was implemented in order to prepare for the construction of the FAST (Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope), also known as the "China Sky Eye." Located in a naturally deep and round karst depression in Guizhou, FAST was completed in 2016 and started formal operations in 2020.

Kedu Township started a plan to transform itself into an astronomy-themed town from September 2015, taking advantage of its proximity to the FAST. Many relocated rural residents have found jobs or started their own businesses in the town.

Today's Kedu Town is full of sense of science, technology and future with landmarks such as experience planetarium, time tower, interstellar community, astronomical time village and others. Since the launch of the "China Sky Eye," Kedu Township, the astronomy-themed little town nestled in mountains, has received more than 28.5 million tourists with a comprehensive tourism revenue exceeding 26 billion yuan (about 3.59 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)