Treasures that make the Taklimakan tick

The Taklimakan Nature Center is part of a broader vision that extends far beyond Xinjiang.

On the opposite edge of the country, another Chinese National Geography project has taken shape — the Qianhai Nature Center in Shenzhen, Guangdong province.

Sitting along the shores of Lingdingyang Bay, the center transforms the daily drama of dusk into a hands-on science experience. Visitors can use dark filters to safely watch the sun sink into the sea, flatten the solar disc with a curved prism that mimics Earth's atmosphere, and learn about the elusive "green flash" that sometimes crowns the vanishing sun.

A large interactive screen offers real-time sunset forecasts and simulations that show the timing and position of the sunset's shift throughout the year along the bay's 68-km coastline.

The two centers represent a growing network of the Chinese National Geography Camp's aim to transform how people experience the natural world, according to Guo.

The Xinjiang center is already resonating with local officials.

Dan Hong, director of the local culture, sports, radio, television, and tourism center, notes that the nature center allows visitors to experience both the unique natural beauty of the Taklimakan Desert and the vibrant cultural atmosphere of the oasis.

It offers a relaxing, enjoyable, and educational experience, and visitors can gather more information here before heading out to other local attractions, Dan says.

At the same time, visitors can learn about how the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps is developing the frontier region in Alar and gain a new understanding of this young city, Dan adds.

The center will connect with the nature imaging center in Kashgar and other nature centers in Aksu, as well as in Makit county, all of which contribute to a growing network of southern Xinjiang's scattered landscapes and deep heritage.

The ultimate goal is to enable visitors to systematically understand and experience how mountains shape the desert, how oases nurture civilization, and how humans wisely coexist with extreme environments, Guo says.