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This summer, the most romantic thing I can think of is traveling with my loved one to an island, a prairie, or even Xinjiang. At night, under a sky devoid of light pollution, we'll watch a meteor shower unique to summer nights!
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This month, the Perseid meteor shower, the most prominent of the Northern Hemisphere's three major meteor showers, is about to begin! Are you and your significant other ready for some stargazing together?
Picture @Photo.net
So, some friends may ask, what are the three major meteor showers in the Northern Hemisphere? Well, here is a popular science lesson for you!
The three major meteor showers in the Northern Hemisphere are the Quadrantids, which peak around January 4th, the Perseids, which peak around August 12-14th, and the Geminids, which peak around December 14th. The Perseids are considered the most frequent of the three major periodic meteor showers in the Northern Hemisphere due to their consistent flow rate, numerous fireballs, and high frequency of observation.
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This year's Perseid meteor shower will last from July 17th to August 24th, spanning over a month! The shower's peak flow rate is predicted to occur around August 13th.
The maximum zenithal hourly rate ZHR (Zenithal Hourly Rate) can reach over 100, which means that on average there are 1-2 meteors across the night sky in less than 1 minute. This is so spectacular!
Although the estimated peak of this year's Perseid meteor shower coincides with a full moon, the strong moonlight will have a certain impact on observations and is not suitable for stargazing in most areas.
However, I've used my keen professional judgment to select 11 of the best meteor shower viewing routes across four provinces across China for tourists. Head to these places and you won't have to worry about missing out on the meteor shower!
- One of the best stargazing spots in East China -
The Perseid meteor shower, an annual feast of stars, is here! Why not take a spontaneous trip after get off work? Not only will you be able to admire the stars, but you'll also be able to watch the meteor shower fall to Earth.
Tianhuangping in Anji is an excellent location for stargazing. In 2009, the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences established China's first night sky light protection zone here, making it one of the best stargazing spots in East China.
With its excellent ecological environment and an altitude of nearly 1,000 meters, this area is recognized by astronomical experts as an ideal location for astronomical observation. On breezy summer nights, watching the Perseid meteor shower streak across the sky from so close is a truly unforgettable experience!
- The island and meteor shower are a perfect match -
Summer and islands go best together, and night and meteor showers go best together. This time, we've combined all these beautiful elements together!
The most beautiful starry sky is here! 80 nautical miles from the continental shelf, there is basically no light pollution. Just look up and you can see the starry sky, and you can watch meteors streak across the night sky even from your hotel room.
The best beach here! Dasha'ao, a rare beach in the world and the only one in China formed by the transformation of shells into sand, is so fine and soft that stepping on it feels like walking on cotton.
The most beautiful sunsets are also here! Located to the west of Nanji Island, Matsuao offers a wide view. Every time the sun sets, seabirds return to their nests, the sky is filled with sunset clouds, and the sea and sky merge into one, a breathtaking sight.
- Ideal spot for stargazers -
How long has it been since you looked up at the stars? Are you tired of city life? Do you still remember the taste of nature? Escape the dullness of your urban cubicle and enjoy a night in utopia.
Damingshan Senlin Camp is located at an altitude of over 1,000 meters, with zero light pollution and excellent stargazing conditions. It is an ideal place for star photography enthusiasts.
Walk through the minimalist geometric steel building starting point, slowly follow the trail, feel the breath of nature, and shine with the stars in the sky.
The campsite also features two terraces, offering 360-degree stargazing. Be sure to close your eyes and make a wish as a shooting star streaks past! Afterward, check into a luxurious Nordic tent, where the comfortable conditions mean you can enjoy a night of stargazing without any worries.
Live next to the forest, let the breeze, trees and shooting stars heal all your unhappiness, and leave all your uneasiness and worries to the night sky.
- Looking up, you will see the vast universe and starry sky -
In summer, the sky always presents us with romantic surprises: the vibrant sea of clouds, the vibrant rainbow after the rain, the stunning sunset, and the dazzling Milky Way.
It's meteor shower season again, so how can you successfully chase the stars? Of course, you have to go to the place closest to the sky and touch the stars!
Kuancang Mountain is 1,382.6 meters above sea level and is the highest peak in eastern Zhejiang. You can drive an RV to the top of the mountain to camp, and look up to see the vast universe.
We eat hot pot, sing songs, and wait for a feast of shooting stars. Let's throw away all the worries and sorrows of this year, open the car door, draw aside the curtains, and watch the sun rise over the mountains. Time is not wasted, and everything is a new beginning. Follow Xiangye RV and chase the trajectory of the stars.
- When the bright stars meet the prairie -
July and August are the most beautiful seasons in Ruoergai Grassland. In addition to the endless grassland scenery, you can also see the magnificent first bend of the Nine-Bend Yellow River and the vast and brilliant starry sky.
The Yellow River flows from afar, with majestic spirit and calm demeanor, like a wonderful and magnificent picture slowly unfolding before your eyes.
There is also a flower lake inlaid like a pearl on the grassland of Rele Dam. It is full of flowers and water birds, and its beauty is dazzling.
Picture @Photo.net
Don't miss the once-a-year Perseid meteor shower. As night falls, a dazzling array of stars blankets the grasslands like a fairytale. The Milky Way arch is clearly visible. China-TravelNote's photography team will show you how to capture this breathtaking scene.
- Join us for the Snow Mountain Meteor Shower Feast -
Lenggacuo is located in Kangding City, Ganzi Prefecture. It is one of the alpine lakes closest to the main peak of Gongga.
Many of the stunning Gongga peaks that have captivated photographers were captured here. Sunrises, sunsets, starry skies, the Milky Way, snow-capped mountains... On clear days, Lenggacuo Lake is as mirror-like as a mirror, with the main peak of Gongga reflected in the lake, earning it the nickname "Mirror of the Sacred Mountain."
We'll camp at Lenggatso to capture the breathtaking spectacle of sunrises, seas of clouds, and sunsets. We'll also select the most popular snow-capped mountain viewing platforms of recent years as key attractions, including Mount Gongga, Lenggatso, Zimei Pass, and Qumogong, all for a spectacular meteor shower experience.
China-TravelNote provides a full set of camping gear to lighten your travel burden. Experienced photography instructors will lead the way, showcasing the latest trending photography spots. Embark on a 4-day mountain photography tour!
- 360° observation deck, facing the snow-capped mountains, sea of clouds and starry sky -
There's a place that was once closed to the public for six years, yet it continues to captivate photographers. There's also a place with breathtaking natural scenery, known as "Asia's most beautiful 360-degree viewing platform."
There is a place where you can face the magnificent snow-capped mountains, the grand Milky Way starry sky, the stunning sea of clouds and waterfalls, and the gorgeous morning glow and sunrise. This is Niubei Mountain in Sichuan.
Niubei Mountain has six unique features: sea of clouds, sunrise, Gongga Snow Mountain, starry sky rhododendrons, and 360° snow mountain viewing platform. It has quickly become popular due to its magnificent and beautiful scenery and has become an outdoor holy place in the hearts of countless hikers.
There is no need to hike with heavy loads on this trip. Vehicles can take you directly to the top of the mountain, where you can stay at the Niubei Mountain Star Camp and face the snow-capped mountains, sea of clouds and starry sky.
At night, you can enjoy the Gongga Snow Mountain and the starry sky without leaving your home, and you may even have a chance to see the Perseid meteor shower!
In addition to the Niubei Mountain photography tour, we also have a self-driving tour of Niubei Mountain.
- One of the best places to photograph the starry sky and sea of clouds in Guangdong -
Queya Mountain, one of the most famous mountains in Guangdong, is 1,125 meters above sea level and is known as "three feet from the sky." The mountain has two peaks, one made of mud and the other of stone. Between the two peaks is a gap of more than ten feet, resembling a missing tooth, hence the name Queya Mountain.
A wind farm was built on Queya Mountain in 2014. Dozens of huge fans about 70 meters high and 80 meters in diameter form an array, adding a beautiful landscape to the rolling ridges.
The mountains here are high and the winds are strong, with light fog and sea of clouds often appearing. The scenery is ever-changing, and the cloud waterfall is comparable to that of Niubei Mountain in Sichuan. It is one of the best places to photograph the sunset starry sky and sunrise sea of clouds in Guangdong.
We will stay at Queya Mountain on the night of the Perseid meteor shower's peak. Tourists in Guangdong no longer have to envy other people's meteor showers.
- High altitude, low light pollution, Guangdong's best place for stargazing -
Yingxi Peak Forest is densely distributed with thousands of limestone peaks, dotted with streams, caves and ancient buildings. It is the longest and densest peak forest scenic area in Guangdong Province and is known as the "No. 1 Peak Forest in Southern China".
The high altitude and low light pollution make it a suitable spot for stargazing in Guangdong.
In addition to stargazing, you can also experience tea culture, the characteristics of tea trees, and compare the differences between different tea tree varieties.
Go for a light hike in Qingyuan, passing the Yongfeng Ancestral Temple along the way, crossing the fields and mountain roads, passing Heshun Rock and Camel Peak, and learning about the karst landforms.
At noon, we will have lunch and enjoy delicious farm-style dishes that are unique to the mountains. Our taste buds will be greatly satisfied here. Finally, we will end our hike at Xiao Zhaozhou Bridge.
- Check in at the best photography spots and encounter meteor showers -
Guilin is world-famous for its scenic landscapes. Green mountains and clear waters, sunrises and sunsets, fog and rain, Jesus halo, Buddha halo, blue sky and sea of clouds...are all targets that photographers strongly pursue.
April to October is the best photography season in Guilin. China-TravelNote takes you to Guilin's essential photography spots all at once, fully guaranteeing a high output rate.
Maoer Mountain is located at the junction of Ziyuan and Xing'an counties. It is about 60 kilometers long. The summit is a huge granite boulder. It is 2,141.5 meters above sea level. It is the highest peak in Guangxi and also the highest peak in South China.
It is majestic and picturesque, combining the majesty of Mount Tai, the danger of Mount Hua, the seclusion of Mount Lu and the beauty of Mount Emei, making it unique in South China.
This time we chose to stay in Maoer Mountain for two days during the Perseid meteor shower. If you are lucky enough, during the three-day and two-night journey, you will be able to enjoy the "century-long" beauty of the sunset starry sky, sunrise sea of clouds, the most beautiful sunset and the blend of the valley and bamboo forest.
- Unique volcanic starry sky landscape -
The volcano is 10,000 years old, and the starry sky is 30,000 years old. The Ulan Hada volcanic group is a typical Strombolian eruption volcano like Mount Fuji in Japan.
From the sky, the towering volcano looks like the alchemy furnace of Taishang Laojun. There are very few hotels near the volcano, and even if there are any, they are all empty. If you want to take photos of the starry sky and volcano all night long, the best way is to go to the campervan.
Xiangye RV arranges afternoon tea with volcanic view + hot pot + space suit experience. In the evening, you can also enjoy the exclusive volcanic starry sky view, including sunrise and sunset.
It's said that seeing a meteor shower brings good luck throughout the year. This summer night, go see a meteor feast with your loved one!
