Photo taken on Aug. 18, 2017 shows China's future Mars simulation base in Hongya (Red Cliff) region of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Qinghai Province. About 400 million yuan (61 million U.S. dollars) are expected to invest in the Mars scientific research base and eco-tourism site. The red rock area in Qaidam basin in western Qinghai has been called the most "Martian" place on Earth, with its natural features, landscape and climate all similar to those on the red planet. The base is expected to consist of a "Mars community" and a "Mars campsite." The campsite will have a number of experimental module-like accommodations. It will be built as a one-stop base for experiential learning in aerospace, astronomy, geography and new energy. (Xinhua/Wu Gang)

China is building a village simulating the environmental conditions on Mars, in northwest China's Qinghai Province.The project, as part of China's Mars exploration preparation, was approved by experts in Beijing Thursday.The village will be constructed in the red rock area of the Qaidam basin in western Qinghai, which has been dubbed "the most Martian place on Earth."Covering 702 hectares, the "Mars Village" will consist of a tourism center, a Mars community, a simulation base and other facilities.Total investment is estimated at 850 million yuan (about 130 million US dollars).

Photo taken on Aug. 18, 2017 shows China's future Mars simulation base in Hongya (Red Cliff) region of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Qinghai Province. About 400 million yuan (61 million U.S. dollars) are expected to invest in the Mars scientific research base and eco-tourism site. The red rock area in Qaidam basin in western Qinghai has been called the most "Martian" place on Earth, with its natural features, landscape and climate all similar to those on the red planet. The base is expected to consist of a "Mars community" and a "Mars campsite." The campsite will have a number of experimental module-like accommodations. It will be built as a one-stop base for experiential learning in aerospace, astronomy, geography and new energy. (Xinhua/Wu Gang)

Photo taken on Sept. 2, 2017 shows China's future Mars simulation base in Hongya (Red Cliff) region of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Qinghai Province. About 400 million yuan (61 million U.S. dollars) are expected to invest in the Mars scientific research base and eco-tourism site. The red rock area in Qaidam basin in western Qinghai has been called the most "Martian" place on Earth, with its natural features, landscape and climate all similar to those on the red planet. The base is expected to consist of a "Mars community" and a "Mars campsite." The campsite will have a number of experimental module-like accommodations. It will be built as a one-stop base for experiential learning in aerospace, astronomy, geography and new energy. (Xinhua/Wang Bo)

Photo taken on Aug. 18, 2017 shows stars over China's future Mars simulation base in Hongya (Red Cliff) region of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Qinghai Province. About 400 million yuan (61 million U.S. dollars) are expected to invest in the Mars scientific research base and eco-tourism site. The red rock area in Qaidam basin in western Qinghai has been called the most "Martian" place on Earth, with its natural features, landscape and climate all similar to those on the red planet. The base is expected to consist of a "Mars community" and a "Mars campsite." The campsite will have a number of experimental module-like accommodations. It will be built as a one-stop base for experiential learning in aerospace, astronomy, geography and new energy. (Xinhua/Wu Gang)

Photo taken on Sept. 2, 2017 shows China's future Mars simulation base in Hongya (Red Cliff) region of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Qinghai Province. About 400 million yuan (61 million U.S. dollars) are expected to invest in the Mars scientific research base and eco-tourism site. The red rock area in Qaidam basin in western Qinghai has been called the most "Martian" place on Earth, with its natural features, landscape and climate all similar to those on the red planet. The base is expected to consist of a "Mars community" and a "Mars campsite." The campsite will have a number of experimental module-like accommodations. It will be built as a one-stop base for experiential learning in aerospace, astronomy, geography and new energy. (Xinhua/Wang Bo)

Photo taken on Aug. 18, 2017 shows China's future Mars simulation base in Hongya (Red Cliff) region of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Qinghai Province. About 400 million yuan (61 million U.S. dollars) are expected to invest in the Mars scientific research base and eco-tourism site. The red rock area in Qaidam basin in western Qinghai has been called the most "Martian" place on Earth, with its natural features, landscape and climate all similar to those on the red planet. The base is expected to consist of a "Mars community" and a "Mars campsite." The campsite will have a number of experimental module-like accommodations. It will be built as a one-stop base for experiential learning in aerospace, astronomy, geography and new energy. (Xinhua/Wu Gang)

Photo taken on Sept. 2, 2017 shows China's future Mars simulation base in Hongya (Red Cliff) region of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Qinghai Province. About 400 million yuan (61 million U.S. dollars) are expected to invest in the Mars scientific research base and eco-tourism site. The red rock area in Qaidam basin in western Qinghai has been called the most "Martian" place on Earth, with its natural features, landscape and climate all similar to those on the red planet. The base is expected to consist of a "Mars community" and a "Mars campsite." The campsite will have a number of experimental module-like accommodations. It will be built as a one-stop base for experiential learning in aerospace, astronomy, geography and new energy. (Xinhua/Wang Bo)