---
title: "China Opens Its First Mars Simulation Base"
description: "China's $22.3 million Mars simulation base is now open, and in addition to inspiring the public, it might even help humanity reach the real Mars."
date: "2019-03-04"
modified: "2019-03-04"
authors:
  - name: "Kristin Houser"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/kristin"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/mars-simulation-base-china-open"
categories:
  - "Astronomy"
  - "Mars"
  - "Space"
tags:
  - "china"
  - "mars"
  - "mars simulation base"
  - "the digest"
---

# China Opens Its First Mars Simulation Base

![China's $22.3 million Mars simulation base is now open, and in addition to inspiring the public, it might even help humanity reach the real Mars.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/mars-simulation-base-china-open.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: ECNS.cn\</em\>*

## Visitors Welcome

The Chinese city of Mang'ai is one of the most Mars-like places on Earth, featuring a similar climate and landscape to the Red Planet.

That made it the perfect setting for a [newly opened](<http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1140707.shtml>) Mars simulation base that China hopes will draw tourists — and maybe even help [humanity reach the real Mars](<https://futurism.com/china-mars-rover-2020>).

## Growing Potatoes

China began construction on the base in June. According to a July [report by the *South China Morning Post,*](<https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2104188/china-build-first-mars-simulation-base>) the plan for the base includes a "Mars community" and a "Mars camp" designed to educate and entertain the public, while also providing a place for scientific research and simulation training.

Roughly $22.3 million later, the 53,330-square-meter base is now complete, welcoming its first public attendees on Friday.

*The Global Times* claims that the project's founder, Gao Junling, told the newspaper that visitors to the base will have a chance to "immerse themselves in the environment and try to solve problems they might face on Mars, such as planting potatoes on Mars for food supply and solar power generation."

## Next-Best Thing

As Mars-like as the setting of China's Mars simulation base might be, it's still far more hospitable to humans than Mars — anyone visiting the Red Planet will need to contend with its low air pressure, stronger radiation, and regular sandstorms, Peking University space science professor Jiao Weixin [told *The Global Times*](<http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1140707.shtml>).

Still, if the base can provide researchers with an approximation of Mars for their experiments, while also getting the public — and young people, in particular — excited about space exploration, it could have a positive role to play in shaping humanity's space-faring future.

**READ MORE:** [China opens its first Mars simulation base in Qinghai Province](<http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1140707.shtml>) \[*The Global Times*\]

**More on Mars:** *[China Plans to Launch a Mars Rover Next Year](<https://futurism.com/china-mars-rover-2020>)*

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinjhouser>)