Gaotiankeng village: A wonderful destination for stargazing

The Gaotiankeng Dark Night Park Astronomical Museum in Quzhou, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/qz828.com]

Summer is the best season for stargazing, and the Gaotiankeng Dark Night Park Astronomical Museum in Quzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, which is 754.3 meters above sea level, has been popular among tourists lately.

The museum, with two floors, allows visitors to explore the starry sky with professional stargazing equipment and experience simulated space capsules and space stations. Visitors can also learn about the development of ancient Chinese astronomy, modern astronomy, and the aerospace industry.

"Since the astronomical museum was built on the top of the mountain, Gaotiankeng has become more popular, especially in July and August," said Jiang Guoxing, secretary of Zhenzikeng village's Party branch.

Gaotiankeng has a registered population of 430 people and a permanent population of more than 30 people. It began carrying out poverty alleviation by moving down the mountain as early as 2004. If it weren't for the construction of the Dark Night Park, the village would be lifeless, added Jiang.

In 2017, some stargazing enthusiasts from the Hangzhou Astronomical Society were looking for the best stargazing location in East China when they discovered the Dark Night Park by chance.

In March 2021, the Qianjiangyuan National Park Administration invested 30 million yuan ($4.17 million) in the construction of the Dark Night Park Astronomical Museum, while Gaotiankeng ancient village received investment from Kaohua Liangshan Group for renovation.

During the three-year construction period, villagers worked hard every day to earn money. Idle houses now have rental incomes and ancient villages are now better protected.

Gaotiankeng village has become China's sixth dark night starry sky protection area. With the development of numerous projects, many villagers have begun to return home to start businesses, said Jiang.