It was just past midnight when British travel blogger John Michael Chapman, 48, searched for the ideal spot at the Wenchang Yaoguang rocket launch site in Hainan, China. He snapped selfies and shared video clips with his son while eagerly awaiting the launch.
At 12:16 am, a modified Long March 7 rocket soared into the night, carrying a new communication satellite. The ground shook, and the crowd erupted in cheers.
For many, a perfect vacation may involve sandy beaches and palm trees. But for Chapman and thousands like him, Wenchang offers a thrill like no other: the excitement of watching a rocket fly.
“I feel like a kid again,” he said, reflecting on dreams of space. This passion is echoed online, where discussions around “rockets” and “aerospace” have surged. In April, over 3 million users on the Chinese platform Xiaohongshu engaged with these topics.
Rocket launches have become a more frequent spectacle. People now travel long distances, camping overnight to witness the action. Wenchang, located on Hainan’s northeast coast, is China’s sole coastal space launch site, hosting launches nearly every month.
On the day of the launch, around 24 travel journalists and influencers joined the spectacle, while nearby beaches buzzed with excitement. The area now boasts over 150 hotels, with occupancy rates often exceeding 95% during launches. Local resident Zhu Ying noted that more than 5,000 people benefit economically through space tourism.
French influencer Jean-Bernard Corazzi was amazed; it was his first launch experience. “Linking space technology with tourism is brilliant,” he said.
Wenchang offers more than just a rocket show. Visitors can explore the Wenchang Aerospace Supercomputing Center, learning how satellites gather and process data used in agriculture and transportation. This transforms the visit into an educational journey.
For Celestino Guerra Ng, a student from Macao, seeing the launchpads was striking. He plans to return for a daytime launch to enjoy the island’s beauty.
For Chapman, the thrill of the rocket and the tranquil beaches made for an unforgettable experience. In Wenchang, you can have both the adrenaline and the calm—making it a unique and exciting getaway.
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