Universal appeal

Dry, with scant rainfall, the region has low levels of light pollution and enjoys around 300 sunny and fine days per year. Convenient transportation and abundant landscapes, featuring mountains and deserts, add to its growing reputation as a night sky observation site.

A star-themed hotel, together with its cuisine, performances and lectures related to astronomy, has become a popular destination among tourists from southern areas of China.

Even though many people like Qiu are professional enthusiasts, there is a much bigger group of people with a casual interest who enjoy viewing the night sky with the naked eye.

Thus, an increasing number of hotels are promoting "stargazing" elements.

According to online travel platform Qunar, interest in family trips with a stargazing theme has been on the increase in the past years. Many parents want their kids to learn more about astronomy during their trips.

Those stargazing-themed rooms are usually located on the top floors of high-end hotels in first and second-tier cities.

A sky full of stars can add a lot of romance for amorous couples. Many couples tend to stay at luxurious hotels during their holidays, to enjoy the shimmering night sky reflected in the ocean waters.

Hao Nan, a 35-year-old white collar worker, usually spends her vacations in Hainan province in southern China, with her husband.

"As the old Chinese poem says that 'people can touch those stars', they feel so close when you lie down peacefully on the beach chairs," she said.

Le Meridien Shimei Bay Beach Resort & Spa hotel has included stargazing tips as one of its characteristics to attract guests, noting: "Facing the starry skies, we can empty our minds and think freely about space and life, which can be difficult to do at the fast pace of normal life."