Headed to China This Summer? Don’t Forget the Eclipse

On July 22, 2009, a small portion of the world will get to view a total eclipse of the sun. After passing through India, the Himalayas and China, the eclipse will peak over the Pacific with a duration of totality reaching over 6 and a half minutes. It will be longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century.

Specifically, the best views of the eclipse will be on a line through Chengdu, Suining, Chongqing, Wuhan, Xiaogan, Hangzhou, and Shanghai, with the eclipse time gaining length as you go east.



So, where is the best place to view the eclipse? I plan on traveling to western Sichuan’s Yading Nature Reserve to see it, but this is risky with the weather and probability for overcast skies. I am also sacrificing almost a minute of the eclipse time by going to Sichuan instead of staying in Hangzhou, where it will be longer. However, if I do get to see the eclipse on a clear day amidst the glacial pools of western Sichuan, it will be worth it.

Hangzhou would be second on my list of places to catch the eclipse. There are already tours planned to the tidal bore viewing park in Haining, 40 minutes from Hangzhou’s city center. Apparently, one of the largest tidal bores of 2009 happens to also be taking place on the eclipse date, so this should be a hot spot. Also, by getting out of the city a little ways, hopefully this will decrease the amount of air pollution obscuring the eclipse. Air pollution also factored into my decision to visit Sichuan instead of stay in Hangzhou, as did the chance of typhoons on the coast as well.

Unfortunately, I don’t think Haining has the cleanest air anyway and is about the same as Hangzhou. Therefore, the West Lake area in Hangzhou is also a good bet. They say the best way to view the eclipse is to be on a hillside facing south. This means that Baoshi Hill or the top of 6 Harmonies’ Pagoda would both be ideal spots to spend the few minutes of the eclipse.

Another choice would be Shanghai, but again, there is a concern about smoggy skies. Actually, if the haze is just right, this could add to the visual effects of the eclipse, so who knows if air pollution is actually a big deal. I would go to the Bund in Shanghai and get pictures of the Pudong skyline during the eclipse; I imagine photos would look like some sort of futuristic apocalypse.

My final suggestion would be the 3 Gorges Dam area, although I am not sure how well centered this area is over the eclipse line. If you can get a small boat through the breathtaking Little Three Gorges area during the eclipse, you will also get some cool landscapes. However, try not to get too deep into the gorges, or you will not be able to see over the cliffs to find the sun.

Wherever you are in China on July 22, the eclipse is bound to be a memorable event. So if you are traveling in China during this time, check out your itinerary and mark it down so that you can enjoy the longest solar eclipse in our lifetimes as an added attraction while visiting the country.

Posted at 09:43PM Feb 25, 2009 by admin in In Focus  |  Comments[0]