Abandoned petroleum mine city to be China’s ‘Mars town’
By , Published: 2019-07-13 21:26:55
The abandoned petroleum mine in Lenghu Photo: Li Hao/GT
Editor's Note:
China is building a “Mars town” in Lenghu，NW China's Qinghai Province, where 30 astronomical telescopes will be built. Lenghu used to be a petroleum mine, and now it is on the verge of becoming a town with scientific research, sci-fi culture and tourism. Photos: Li Hao/GT

The Saishiteng Peak, which is about 2-hour drive from Lenghu Town, will be used for astronomical observations. 30 astronomical telescopes are expected to be set up here. Photo: Li Hao/GT
Photo: Li Hao/GT
Photo: Li Hao/GT
The twin towers on the top of the Saishiteng peak will be used to monitor the conditions for observation from day to night. Photo: Li Hao/GT
The base of the old Lenghu petroleum mine Photo: Li Hao/GT
Peng Yu and Peng Cheng standing, which used to be their home once. They were born in Lenghu but their family moved to Tangshan, Hebei, 29 years ago. This is their first time to return to their birthplace. Photo: Li Hao/GT
The alien-looking Eboliang Yadan landform Photo: Li Hao/GT
Eboliang Yadan landform is 1.5-hour drive from Lenghu Photo: Li Hao/GT
The famous “Lion Rock” in Eboliang Photo: Li Hao/GT
A hot spring in Eboliang Photo: Li Hao/GT
Photo: Li Hao/GT