Gazing at stars, Xichong finds new growth driver

Video by Liu Xudong

When night falls, Wang Shaoqing, a native of Xichong Community at the southeast end of Dapeng New Area, often takes a walk after dinner. Occasionally, he takes out his mobile phone to take some photos. Most of the time, he does not aim the lens at the quiet neighborhood streets, but at the many twinkling stars and constellations in the dark sky, expecting the stars will lead a way for the growth of the fishing villages’ tourism.

Zhang Hua (C), vice mayor of Shenzhen, Wang Shaoqing (4th L), head of Xichong Community in Dapeng New Area, Ruskin Hartley (4th R), CEO and executive director of the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), and other participants gesture at a plaque awarding ceremony at the Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory on Monday. Photos by Liu Xudong

Wang, head of the community, has gotten one step closer to his dream as he received a plaque from Ruskin Hartley, CEO and executive director of the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), which recognized Xichong as the first International Dark Sky Community in China, at a ceremony at the Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory on Monday.

Wang thought the development of the village economy had lagged far behind the city’s economic growth. However, its tourism, which depends heavily on the beach, has grown rapidly in the last 10 years.

“The villagers, around 1,800 in total, can get around 10,000 yuan (US$1,452) in bonuses a year from the village shareholding company. The amount may be quite small compared to other villages in downtown areas,” Wang said.

The night view of Xichong Community on Monday night.

He expected the situation will be improved now that it has won the honor.

The 10.9-square-kilometer Xichong Community includes the Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory, Xichong Beach and eight villages. Xichong Beach, which stretches about 5 kilometers, is one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in China.

An International Dark Sky Community is a town, city, municipality, or other legally organized community that has shown exceptional dedication to the preservation of the night sky through the implementation and enforcement of a quality outdoor lighting ordinance, dark sky education and citizen support of dark skies, as per the IDA.

“The IDA’s recognition marks an important milestone for developing tourism in Xichong. It means that the area’s tourism resources have been extended from the beach to space. The tourism season will extend from summer to the whole year,” Wang said.

Zhang Hua, vice mayor of Shenzhen, makes a speech at the plaque awarding ceremony at Xichong on Monday.

Shenzhen Vice Mayor Zhang Hua said at the ceremony that the certification also acknowledged the city’s efforts to achieve balance between urban development and dark sky protection.

The city will turn the sky over Dapeng New Area into a starry sky park in an attempt to make the city an example of building International Dark Sky Communities in megacities. Shenzhen will continue curating dark sky protection activities in the future, enriching the nighttime cultural life for citizens and tourists, according to Zhang.

“The building of Xichong International Dark Sky Community is a pioneering practice in protecting the environment while developing the economy,” local lawmaker Xiao Youmei said. “The dark sky activities will improve residents’ quality of life and promote Dapeng’s regional tourism development.”

Xichong is well-shielded from urban light pollution, as it is flanked by mountains on three sides and the sea on its fourth. Its dark sky economy attracts 1.6 million visits a year, according to official data.