BEIJING, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- For some, watching a rocket soar into the sky has made their space dreams feel closer than ever.
Chi Xingyu, a middle school student from Shanghai, is one such dreamer. "I used to think rockets were far away from ordinary people. I never imagined I could stand on a beach and watch a launch with my own eyes," said Chi.
Once a distant spectacle reserved for a few, rocket launches are emerging as a tourist draw in China, from Haiyang City in east China's Shandong Province to Wenchang City in China's southernmost island province of Hainan.
The appeal lies in the immersive experience. Many visitors say that watching a launch on a screen can't compare to seeing it in person, where each site offers its own unique atmosphere shaped by the local landscape.
"In Wenchang, you can see rockets soaring above coconut groves, while in northwest China's Jiuquan, you can witness a rocket rising from the desert," said Wei Ninghao, a 14-year-old space enthusiast.
Yet, the "rocket-chasing" tourism is about much more than the brief, awe-inspiring launch. Local authorities are working to convert one-time visitors into repeat tourists by extending the aerospace experience.
Hours before the launch, the viewing area in Haiyang was already buzzing with activities. Performances rolled out one after another. Robot dogs wove through the crowd, drawing children to chase, laugh and pose for photos. Space-themed merchandise was sold alongside Haiyang's local intangible cultural heritage crafts.
In Haiyang, home to China's only commercial offshore launch port, tourists can tour rocket assembly plants and even board launch vessels. At the local aerospace science museum, visitors explore space engineering through VR, AR, and interactive, hands-on exhibits.
"We have developed regular study tour programs tailored for students of different ages, helping visitors truly understand aerospace, instead of merely watching rockets," said Sun Yuqian of the Oriental Maritime Spaceport (Shandong) Development Group Co., Ltd.
The museum receives about 100,000 visitors annually, and rocket launch viewing has attracted over 200,000 tourists so far.
The economic ripple effects go far beyond the excitement of the launch itself. "During launches, nearby hotels are fully booked, and my restaurant's revenue doubles compared to normal days," said Li Ying, a local restaurateur.
In Wenchang, the strategy is to integrate aerospace with local advantages, such as visits to coconut groves and beachcombing, to extend tourists' stays.
"Now that viewing a launch is a regular occurrence, we are willing to spend more time planning trips and buying local goods," said Guo Chenchen, a tourist from central China's Henan Province.
Experts said that this tourism boom is underpinned by solid industrial strength rather than mere novelty.
In Haiyang, for instance, a six-kilometer Space Avenue links rocket manufacturing, satellite development, and offshore launch facilities, allowing visitors to get up close to the nation's space infrastructure.
"Rocket launches possess strong visual appeal and educational value, making them a natural fit for tourism," said Liu Jia, a professor at the College of Management of Ocean University of China. "What was once a niche pursuit by enthusiasts has evolved into a new consumption scenario for families and study-tour groups."
This surge in "rocket-chasing" tourism is part of a larger boom in industrial tourism across China. Observers note that the trend reflects rising public interest in science and technology. Topics like AI, smart manufacturing, aerospace, and new energy are drawing more attention, sparking curiosity among parents and students alike.
Liu said that family travel spending is shifting from mere sightseeing to knowledge-driven, experience-based consumption, with parents more willing to pay for products that combine fun with learning.
Authorities are ramping up policy support. For instance, the country released a new five-year tourism development plan this year to further develop industrial tourism, including encouraging enterprises to showcase their achievements in aerospace, shipbuilding and other manufacturing sectors. ■
