Mars in the Gobi Desert

Photographers were on hand as some of the first student groups arrived to tour this vision of Mars in China’s Gobi Desert.

In the desert hills of China’s Gansu province, a company called C-Space has just opened “Mars Base 1,” a simulated Martian base of operations for future astronauts. Plans for the base, currently an educational facility, include expansion—it will become more of a tourist destination soon, with a space-themed hotel and restaurant. Photographers were on hand as some of the first student groups arrived to tour this vision of Mars in the China’s Gobi desert.