Oohs and aahs are increasingly filling up the sky

Far to the northwest, the Pterosaur-Yardang Dahaidao Scenic Area in Hami, the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, is an ideal location for stargazing and astrophotography because of its vast, varied wind-eroded Yardang landforms and minimal light pollution. Stargazers can spot the Milky Way over the Yardang formations. Astrophotographers pair these dramatic landforms with celestial subjects to create one-of-a-kind photographs.

Every year, the Sweet Whispers to the Galaxy Festival in Hami attracts astrophotographers and drone photographers from across the country, reinforcing Hami's reputation as a premier stargazing destination.

"Bright stars cluster to form the Milky Way, reminding us of the ancient Silk Road. Dahaidao was an ancient byway of the Silk Road, where travelers and merchants navigated by the stars," says Beijing-based astrophotographer Wang Junfeng, a co-founder of the China StarVision Alliance, a domestic platform for nearly 1,000 Chinese astrophotographers.

He says that ancient Chinese people observed and studied celestial phenomena, drawing a wealth of cultural knowledge closely tied to daily life. Many folk traditions are deeply linked to star patterns.

"We want to share the beauty of the starry sky, improve ourselves in the process, and help others capture their ideal night sky images. It encourages us when we see people lay eyes on a star-studded sky and become filled with awe and excitement," says Wang, who leads stargazing group trips.

Astrophotography booms

Meanwhile, a fast-growing community of astrophotographers is changing how the public sees the night sky thanks to their magnificent photos. Jiang Chenming, a co-founder of the China StarVision Alliance, says that astrophotography is boosting stargazing tourism.

"Once people can photograph the stars, they want to get closer to them and learn more about astronomy. This is also expanding the communities of both astrophotographers and astronomy enthusiasts," he says.

He notes that a major catalyst is the rapid improvement in smartphone cameras. Astrophotography once required high-end professional cameras, but improvements in modern handsets, including better low-light performance, make it possible for ordinary people to capture the Milky Way using just a phone and a tripod.

Jiang says CSVA astrophotographers nationwide post their finest starry-sky photographs to raise public awareness of the cosmos. These striking visuals inspire the public to venture outdoors and observe the stars themselves. Once visitors reach stargazing locations, demand surges for lodging, dining and astronomy-education programs. That demand, in turn, attracts investment for supporting tourism infrastructure.

"Many stargazing sites are not destinations at first. A photographer finds an angle, presses the shutter, and makes the site famous. Increasing visitor interest then prompts local governments and investors to build scenic areas and homestays. In turn, improved reception attracts more photographers."

Stargazing tourism in China is still in its early stages, and its systematic, rapid development began only around three years ago, after a long incubation period, Jiang adds.

Yet China's advantages are distinctive: a vast consumer market, various landforms that pair well with the night sky, and a profound Chinese constellation culture. "The biggest remaining gap is public awareness. Encouraging more people to look up is the priority."

Contact the writer at xulin@chinadaily.com.cn