Five months into their mission on China's space station Tiangong, the Shenzhou-21 astronauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang, have advanced a series of in-orbit experiments, facility maintenance, and health checks.
In the field of space medicine, the crew used laptops and related experimental software to complete experiments related to trust and collaboration mechanisms and human-machine trust in space, and conducted experiments on the temporal dynamics of brain networks in space using near-infrared brain functional imaging equipment.
For microgravity physical sciences, the crew carried out tasks according to the experimental schedule, including replacing ignition heads and sampling lids in the combustion science experiment cabinet, replacing experimental samples in the fluid physics experiment cabinet, cleaning samples in the containerless experiment cabinet, and maintaining electrodes in the central mechanism.
In terms of space station operations management, the crew completed environmental monitoring tasks as scheduled, including temperature measurements, wind speed measurements, and dew point tests, as well as sorting out supplies, performing routine cleaning, and checking and maintaining equipment of the space station.
Regarding health maintenance and support, the three astronauts completed multiple medical check-ups, including 12-lead electrocardiograph (ECG) examinations, non-invasive cardiac function tests, and ambulatory ECG and blood pressure monitoring.
They also used a traditional Chinese medicine diagnostic instrument to monitor and collect data on physical health indicators. Additionally, they actively engaged in in-orbit exercise.
The Shenzhou-21 crewed spacecraft blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Oct 31, 2025, sending the three astronauts to the orbiting space station on a six-month mission.
China's Shenzhou-21 crew advances space experiments five months on
China's Shenzhou-21 crew advances space experiments five months on
Scenic spots across China have all seen surging tourist flow during the Qingming Festival holiday as people are going outdoors to enjoy good springtime.
Falling on April 5 this year, the Qingming Festival, or the Tomb-Sweeping Day, is a traditional Chinese festival for honoring the deceased and paying tributes to ancestors. The three-day holiday from Saturday to Monday also provides a short break for Chinese citizens to enjoy outdoor activities and sightseeing in pleasant springtime temperatures.
At the Fenghuanggou scenic spot in Nanchang City, east China's Jiangxi Province, a vast field of hydrangeas bloom across the hillsides. The colorful hydrangeas spread out in well-arranged patchwork, making visitors feel as if they have stepped into a dreamlike world of flowers.
Tourists stroll among the blossoms, with some slowing down to quietly take in the scenery and others raising cameras to capture memories, relaxing both body and mind amidst the fragrance of flowers and the spring sunshine.
"Walking through a sea of flowers like this and seeing such beautiful blossoms make me feel the vitality of spring while completely escaping the hustle and bustle of the city," said Xu Geyu, a tourist.
Continuing on from the hydrangea sea, the scenic spot's cherry blossom is also in the best viewing period. Unlike ordinary cherry blossom groves, the cherry trees here are interplanted among tea bushes that stretch across the mountainsides, creating distinct layers and forming a unique landscape.
This year, the scenic spot has leveraged its sericulture and other specialty ecological industries to create new business models that integrate agriculture and tourism, providing a variety of mulberry-leaf-flavored snacks and drinks for tourists.
"We tried mulberry-flavored coffee and mulberry-leaf-flavored ice cream -- both were delicious. They are the flavors that we've never tasted before. I think they are quite special," said Ye Zitong, another tourist.
Meanwhile, the Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park in central China's Hunan Province has also welcomed a peak in visitors. With fine weather and wild mountain flowers in full bloom, the scenic spot has become a popular destination for flower viewing and mountaineering, brimming with the liveliness and vitality of spring.
In springtime, The Tianmen Mountain features layered peaks covered in a profusion of flowers. Pink-white and bright red blossoms dot the dramatic mountain ridges, creating a stunning spring landscape painting.
"I feel it's quite magnificent. It's even more magnificent and beautiful after I climbed 999 steps to the Tianmen Cave. It's also very cool there. I really love it," said Ai Sichen, another tourist.
According to the preliminary statistics from the scenic spot, on the first day of the Qingming Festival holiday, the park welcomed over 20,000 visitors.
Furthermore, at the Hukou Waterfall scenic spot on the Yellow River at the border of the northern province of Shanxi and the northwestern province of Shaanxi, the roaring Yellow River water plunges dramatically. Illuminated by sunlight, a rainbow appears spanning both banks, creating a magnificent spring scene that draws many tourists.
Scenic spots across China see surging tourist flow during Qingming Festival holiday
