China’s Sky Eye Telescope Sparks Study Tour Boom in Rural Guizhou

Deep in the karst mountains of Guizhou Province, the world’s largest single-dish radio telescope has become more than a scientific marvel—it has transformed once-isolated rural communities into an international hub for astronomical education and study tourism. The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST), known as “China’s Sky Eye,” has sparked a boom in educational travel that is reshaping the economic and cultural landscape of Pingtang County, according to Xinhua News.

From Hidden Mountain County to Science Destination

Pingtang County, located in the Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, has leveraged the FAST facility to transform from a once “hidden deep in the mountains” small county into an international astronomical science education and study tour destination. The county has developed 48 specialized study tour courses and 18 boutique tour routes centered on astronomical science education, according to Xinhua’s report.

New business formats, including a Metaverse XR Experience Hall and a Dome Flight Cinema, have made science education interactive and engaging for visitors of all ages. These attractions allow students to explore the universe through immersive virtual reality experiences, hear the sounds of pulsars, and build models of the massive telescope.

The impact has been dramatic. In 2024, Pingtang County received 6.78 million visitors and generated 7.308 billion yuan in tourism revenue, with per-capita spending reaching 1,077.81 yuan, as reported by Xinhua Guizhou. Professional study tour bases now serve over 30,000 students annually.

A Scientific Achievement with National Recognition

FAST, which was independently designed and built by China, represents one of the nation’s most significant scientific achievements. The telescope’s 500-meter diameter reflecting surface spans roughly 30 football fields and is about 2.5 times more sensitive than the second-largest telescope in the world.

The project’s journey has been remarkable. First proposed in 1994 by astronomer Nan Rendong, construction began in March 2011 and the telescope was completed in 2016, with full operations commencing in January 2020. In July 2026, the FAST project won the First Prize of the 2025 National Science and Technology Progress Award, as detailed by Dahe News.

“This award means a lot to us,” said Jiang Peng, Deputy Director of the National Astronomical Observatories and Chief Engineer of FAST. “Our team spent 22 years turning what outsiders saw as a ‘castle in the air’ into a real large scientific facility. The process was extremely difficult. This is not just a victory for the FAST team, but a successful practice of the new nationwide system in basic research.”

Since becoming operational, FAST has discovered nearly 1,300 pulsars—more than the total discovered by all other international telescopes combined during the same period. The telescope has also made significant contributions to research on fast radio bursts and gravitational waves.

Study Tours: Learning Through Discovery

The study tour boom has made the FAST facility a powerful educational tool. The Astrophysics Laboratory at the China Sky Eye Scenic Area has seen explosive growth in demand. “Last year we received only about 900 teams, but this year we’ve already had nearly 1,300 teams, an increase of nearly 400 teams,” said Zou Jintao, head of the laboratory, in an interview with Guizhou TV. “The main activities for study tours here are stargazing, followed by building models related to the Sky Eye.”

Students from across China are flocking to the site. An Xinyu, a study tour student from Henan, described her experience: “We watched the planetarium show, relearned about the eight planets, heard the sounds of pulsars, and learned there are so many unknowns in the universe for us to explore. Seeing the FAST telescope made in China was very shocking, and I feel very proud of our country.”

The educational impact extends beyond visiting students. Kedu Middle School, located near the telescope, has integrated astronomy into its regular curriculum with weekly astronomy classes. “The children really love the astronomy science club,” said Shi Guihai, a teacher at the school. “Many boring physics and math concepts are learned while playing.”

Economic Transformation of Rural Communities

The study tour boom has catalyzed significant economic development in the surrounding rural areas. Kedu Town, located just 8 kilometers from FAST, has transformed from a poor, isolated mountain community into an “Astronomy Town” with over 1,000 returning entrepreneurs and a cluster of astronomy-themed guesthouses.

Liu Chenglang, a retired veteran who founded a space-themed guesthouse in Kedu Town in 2019, exemplifies this transformation. “I used to know nothing about astronomy, but influenced by the ‘China Sky Eye,’ I started adjusting telescopes myself and gradually fell in love with it,” he said. “Now my fifth-grade child can also skillfully operate a telescope.”

The “Interstellar Home” resettlement community now hosts 52 guesthouses and hotels, most equipped with astronomical observation equipment. Local restaurants can earn over 10,000 yuan per day during peak tourist seasons.

Regional Development and Cultural Enrichment

Jiang Peng emphasized the mutually beneficial relationship between FAST and Guizhou. “FAST and Guizhou are a typical case of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation,” he said. “We utilized Guizhou’s unique terrain and suitable electromagnetic environment to achieve a qualitative leap in China’s radio astronomy, pushing Chinese scientists to the forefront of human vision for the first time. At the same time, it has driven the development of Guizhou’s science, education, and tourism industries.”

The province has legislated a 30-kilometer electromagnetic quiet zone around FAST to protect its sensitive instruments. Guizhou’s comprehensive science and technology innovation index rose to 54.64% during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, entering the national “second tier.”

Pingtang has also leveraged its rich cultural heritage for study tours, including the 600-year-old Yazhou pottery craft, Buyi and Miao ethnic cultures, and the Water Dragon Festival. The county has developed three major tourism brands—the “Three Tian IPs”—combining the China Sky Eye, the Sky Bridge (Pingtang Bridge with the world’s tallest reinforced concrete bridge tower), and the Sky Pit karst geological wonders.

The study tour market’s growth is being further accelerated by regional cooperation. In July 2026, Guangzhou travel agencies conducted a study tour market research trip to Qiannan Prefecture, exploring opportunities to develop study tour products for the Greater Bay Area market, as reported by Southern Metropolis Daily. The initiative aims to transform the relationship between Guangdong and Guizhou from one-way assistance to mutual empowerment.

Looking Ahead

China’s study tour market is projected to reach 242.2 billion yuan by 2026, according to industry research. The FAST study tour boom is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth, with plans for FAST Phase II expected to be completed around 2030, which will improve resolution by 200 times and sensitivity by 2 times.

As Tencent News reported, Pingtang’s study tour industry has created a unique educational tourism chain that is driving local economic development and contributing to rural revitalization. The transformation of this once-remote mountain county demonstrates how a major scientific facility can serve as a catalyst for regional development, inspiring a new generation of scientists while creating sustainable economic opportunities for local communities.

For the students who visit, the experience leaves a lasting impression. Zhu Junming, a sixth-grade student at Pingtang County Experimental Primary School, captured the sentiment of many: “When we grow up, we also want to carry forward the spirit of the ‘China Sky Eye’ and Grandpa Nan Rendong.”