A visitor dons a space suit as part of an immersive Mars survival training program Monday in Mars Base 1, a Mars simulation base located in the Gobi desert of Jinchang, Northwest China’s Gansu province. Photo: VCG

Opened in April 2019, the base received an upgrade last year to provide a better environment for visitors to experience life on the Red Planet. Photo: Li Yalong/China News Service, VCG

With an area of more than 11,900 square feet, the base serves as an immersive, educational facility for visitors. Photo: VCG

The base surrounded by hills of the Gobi desert, also houses a space-themed hotel and restaurant. Photo: VCG

The “Mars Camp” in Lenghu, Northwest China’s Qinghai province, opened in 2019. The camp covers an area of about 5.3 hectares. The sleeping capsules on site can accommodate up to 60 people. Photo: VCG

Sculpted by strong winds, the Eboliang Yardang region surrounding the camp is considered the most Mars-like landscape on Earth. Photo: VCG

A Mars camp in the Dahaidao area of the city of Hami in Northwest China’s Xinjiang autonomous region. The camp consists of several capsule space modules. Photo: VCG

A “Mars-like” Yardang landform in Dahaidao is popular among tourists. The local government has initiated plans to construct a Mars-themed park in the area, which began on April 28. Photo: VCG