As the nation embarks on its 15th Five-Year Plan, the coastal region of Wenchang in Hainan is setting its sights on becoming a world-class space tourism destination. The area is strategically integrating its unique assets in aerospace, coastal scenery, and its heritage as a prominent overseas Chinese hometown. The goal is to transform the local space-related tourism from a series of isolated events into a comprehensive, immersive economic experience, with an ambitious target set for 2030.
At a provincial press conference held on August 17th, the city's deputy mayor and spokesperson, Bi Chunyan, articulated this vision. She highlighted that space-themed tourism is not only a signature industry for Wenchang but also a critical pillar supporting its ambition to become a world-leading space technology city. Her remarks came just one day after a successful rocket launch from the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site, where a Long March-12 carrier rocket deployed a new batch of low-orbit internet satellites.
The summer season has been particularly eventful, with multiple launches capturing the public's imagination. A launch on August 4th using a Long March-8A rocket and another on August 16th with the Long March-12 have drawn large crowds of spectators eager to witness the spectacle firsthand. These events underscore the growing appeal of Wenchang as a destination for witnessing China's space ambitions.
Looking ahead, the city's strategy involves a thoughtful spatial layout to foster growth. Officials plan to adopt a "centralized core, dispersed points" development model, focusing on key townships like Wencheng, Dongjiao, and Longlou. This will create an integrated framework around the Bamen Bay area, linking the core launch sites with premium coastal attractions such as Moon Bay, Tonggu Ridge, and the coconut groves of Dongjiao. This plan aims to weave together aerospace exhibitions, science education, sci-fi experiences, and family-oriented research trips into a cohesive tourism product.
The development blueprint for the next five years emphasizes a systematic approach to building a robust tourism infrastructure. Key projects include the construction of a dedicated space theme park and other interactive entertainment venues. Furthermore, existing industrial facilities, such as rocket assembly and satellite manufacturing plants, are slated to be repurposed into educational and research hubs. To support the influx of visitors, plans are in place to enhance viewing platforms for rocket launches, upgrade hotels and homestays, and curate specialized travel routes that highlight China's technological prowess. The city also intends to host a variety of festivals, concerts, and exhibitions to solidify its brand as a hub for space-related events and conferences.
Bi Chunyan expressed strong confidence in the future, stating that the upcoming period presents unprecedented opportunities for the development of space tourism in Wenchang. The city is fully committed to elevating its tourism offerings and contributing to the broader vision of establishing a first-class international space technology hub.