The 2025 High-Quality Astrotourism Development Exchange Event and Ningxia Starry Sky Tourism Conference open on Aug 12-14 in Zhongwei, Ningxia Hui autonomous region. [Photo provided to China Daily]
The 2025 High-Quality Astrotourism Development Exchange Event and Ningxia Starry Sky Tourism Conference were held from Aug 12 to 14 at the Shapotou scenic area in Zhongwei, Ningxia Hui autonomous region, drawing over 170 guests and more than 200 astronomy enthusiasts from across China.
With Shapotou scenic area as the main venue, the event aims to advance premium astrotourism in Ningxia, deepen the integration of culture and tourism, and further build the "hometown of stars" brand.
The conference unveiled Ningxia's four-season stargazing map and astronomy guide, featuring an immersive show that presents 12 stargazing routes and ten destinations.
Representatives from leading and emerging stargazing tourism regions, industry players, and experts join the dialogue on high-level astrotourism development. [Photo provided to China Daily]
The conference featured six themed events, including stargazing camping and photography activities, astrotourism product fairs, public astronomy education activities, and a dialogue on high-level astrotourism development.
Additional activities included an experiential tour that blends celestial viewing with local industries, and the interactive "Find your stargazing buddy" mystery box journey, which added a fun twist to astrotourism through online platforms and social engagement.
Ningxia became the first in China to launch the "hometown of stars" cultural-tourism brand in 2019. Building on that, it hosted astrotourism conferences in 2021 and 2023 that raised the region’s profile, spurred the local economy, and established a cross-regional, cross-sector platform for cultural tourism cooperation.