The news that Dr. Lai Ka Ying, a payload specialist from Hong Kong, has been selected as a member of the Shenzhou-23 crew has not only thrilled Hong Kong citizens, but also resonated as far as Qinghai Province. Mr. Liu Yongbin, Director of the Reception Center at the Qinghai Atomic City Memorial Museum, noted that Lai's achievement in becoming Hong Kong's first astronaut and taking part in a major national scientific endeavor vividly reflects Hong Kong's deeper integration into the country's overall development landscape.
The Qinghai Atomic City Memorial Museum, Photo by Bastille Post
Located in Haiyan County, Haibei Prefecture, Qinghai Province, the Qinghai Atomic City Memorial Museum stands on the site of China's first nuclear weapons research and development base. It is also widely recognized as the birthplace of the "Two Bombs, One Satellite" spirit and serves as a key national base for patriotic education.
Mr. Liu noted that in the past, pioneering scientists worked on the Qinghai Plateau under assumed names and in obscurity to develop the "Two Bombs, One Satellite." Nowadays, Dr. Lai Ka Ying has risen from a field of more than 100 candidates to become Hong Kong's first astronaut, participating in a major national technological project. Such an achievement, he observed, demonstrates the successful implementation of the "One Country, Two Systems" principle in Hong Kong and signifies the city's close relationship with the Chinese Mainland. He expressed hope that Hong Kong's youth would look to Dr. Lai Ka Ying as a role model and carry forward the spirit of patriotism and dedication to scientific research.
The development timeline of the "Two Bombs, One Satellite," Photo by Bastille Post
Mr. Liu further pointed out that the Memorial Museum previously hosted a training delegation of senior civil servants from Hong Kong for patriotic education sessions. During their visit, the officials learned about China's development of atomic and hydrogen bombs in the 1950s, a feat that greatly enhanced the nation's international standing, and "they expressed a deep sense of honor and pride," he said.
The models displayed at the Qinghai Atomic City Memorial Museum, Photo by Bastille Post
Noting that relatively few students from Hong Kong and Macao visit Qinghai for study tours, Mr. Liu expressed his hope to strengthen ties with educational institutions in Hong Kong. He added that if such cooperation could be established, the Memorial Museum would design tailored curricula and guided tour services specifically for Hong Kong students, to foster their stronger sense of national identity.
As highland tourism gradually hits its peak season in the Mainland, Qinghai Lake has become an ideal summer escape among visitors for its cool climate and breathtaking natural beauty. A recent Hong Kong tour group visiting the lake expressed deep appreciation for Qinghai's landscapes, with several members saying they looked forward to taking in all the sights in the province and would gladly recommend the trip to friends.
The tourists at Qinghai Lake, Photo by Bastille Post
The beautiful scenery of Qinghai Lake, Photo by Bastille Post
The Hong Kong media delegation visited Qinghai Lake for ongoing interviews. With an altitude of about 3,196 meters above sea level, Qinghai Lake enjoys a reputation as the "Sapphire of the Plateau." As China's largest inland saltwater lake, it is renowned for its bird and fish populations and serves as a habitat for the critically endangered Przewalski's gazelle. It is also the only home to the nationally protected Qinghai Lake naked carp, known locally as Huang Fish.
Mr. Meng Dengkui, Photo by Bastille Post
Mr. Meng Dengkui, head of the Qinghai Lake Tourism Group Co., Ltd., said the lake receives around three million visitors annually, with popular activities including sightseeing at Erlangjian Scenic Spot, as well as cruises, sailboats, speedboats, ATVs, and motorcycle rides.
Erlangjian Scenic Spot, Photo by Bastille Post
The beautiful scenery of Qinghai Lake, Photo by Bastille Post
He added that Qinghai Lake's stunning inland scenery draws about 20,000 visitors from Hong Kong and Macau each year, along with some 50,000 international tourists. Last year, a group of Hong Kong students visited the lake twice for experiential learning programs. The lake has also hosted Dr. the Hon Leung Chun Ying, Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, revealing the frequency of cross-regional exchanges.
The tourists at Qinghai Lake, Photo by Bastille Post
Photo by Bastille Post
The birds at Qinghai Lake, Photo by Bastille Post
The reporter on site met a Hong Kong tour group of about 20 people, mostly elderly travelers on a ten-day trip across Qinghai, with Qinghai Lake as their first stop.
Mrs. Lee, Photo by Bastille Post
Mrs. Lee, a member of the tour group, said that despite the altitude, she felt perfectly fine. Having never visited Qinghai before, she had long dreamed of seeing its landscapes. "I've read about it in books, and it looks so beautiful. I'm also planning to visit Chaka Salt Lake and Heidushan Mountain."
She laughed, adding that she didn't experience altitude sickness. Having previously traveled to Xizang, she found Qinghai Lake's elevation easy to handle. "Three or four thousand meters isn't too high," she said. She noted she would recommend the trip to friends afterward. "It's really beautiful here, perfect for hiking, very comfortable, and the air is great."
Ms. Tsui, Photo by Bastille Post
Ms. Tsui, the group's tour guide, said Qinghai is gradually entering its peak tourism season and has become a hot destination this year. Its comfortable climate and natural scenery are especially appealing to Hong Kong visitors. "It's very hot in Hong Kong right now, but here it's around ten degrees Celsius, like having natural air conditioning."
The beautiful scenery of Qinghai Lake, Photo by Bastille Post
The beautiful scenery of Qinghai Lake, Photo by Bastille Post
The tourists at Qinghai Lake, Photo by Bastille Post
She mentioned that her company alone has over a dozen tour groups scheduled to visit Qinghai for next month, including five or six groups of Hong Kong tourists in a single week. "We mainly promote the Heidushan Mountain and Chaka Salt Lake routes, because these kinds of landscapes are rare in other provinces."
Ms. Zheng from Hebei and her mother, Ms. Xu, Photo by Bastille Post
Meanwhile, Ms. Zheng from Hebei and her mother, Ms. Xu, intentionally chose a weekday visit to avoid peak crowds. It was their first time at Qinghai Lake. Ms. Zheng said she had only known the lake from maps or textbooks, and seeing it in person made her realize just how vast it is. "I've heard it takes about five hours to drive around it." Despite the altitude of over 3,000 meters, both felt it was manageable. Ms. Zheng joked, "My mother didn't feel a thing even when she ran, but the bread we brought with us was all puffed up."
The number statue marking the altitude of Qinghai Lake, Photo by Bastille Post
