At the Wenchang Space Exploration Center in Hainan Province, visitors are discovering that the final frontier feels remarkably tangible. As China's space program continues to make headlines in 2025, this coastal facility offers an unprecedented public window into orbital technology through interactive exhibits blending education and entertainment.
"We use everyday comparisons – like showing how a rocket's thrust equals 10,000 car engines – to make complex concepts click," explained Kanaikina Mariia, a Russian international student guiding CGTN's recent tour. Mixed reality stations let visitors virtually assemble space station modules or navigate lunar terrain, while life-size rocket replicas dominate the exhibition halls.
The timing proves strategic as Hainan prepares for December 18's island-wide special customs operations launch, a milestone in developing the province into a Free Trade Port. Space tourism initiatives here align with broader economic goals, with visitor numbers to Wenchang's aerospace facilities increasing 34% this year alone.
Local educators emphasize the center's role in STEM development. "Students aren't just learning physics – they're seeing career paths," said Hainan College of Foreign Studies professor Zhang Wei. As international collaborations in space exploration grow, facilities like this aim to make China's aerospace ambitions accessible to global audiences.
