"Look, look! Saturn's rings! They're getting clearer!" On Nov. 24, at the self-service observation area of the Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory located in Xichong Community, Anzelika Smirnova, a Latvian influencer well-versed in Chinese culture, was overjoyed like a child, gazing at the beautiful planet Saturn through a 20.3cm aperture telescope.

　　Anzelika Smirnova observes Saturn through a telescope at Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory. Photos from iDapeng WeChat account 

　　Smirnova's passion for stargazing traces back to her childhood, inspired by her father, an astronomy enthusiast who often took her to observe the stars and moon. However, since moving to China 17 years ago, she had rarely had the chance to admire the night sky so clearly. "Seeing such a beautiful night sky today feels both breathtaking and incredibly romantic," she shared.

　　From Nov. 24 to 28, the meteorological promotion and science popularization center of China Meteorological Administration, in collaboration with other institutions, organized the "Vlog China: Feel Meteorology" event in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The first stop was the Xichong International Dark Sky Community in Shenzhen, providing Smirnova and three other foreign influencers, including Alvaro Lorite from Spain, a unique opportunity to witness a star-filled sky within a megacity like Shenzhen.

　　Guests from the "Vlog China: Feel Meteorology" event pose for a photo at Xichong International Dark Sky Community.

　　Situated at the southernmost tip of Shenzhen's Dapeng Peninsula, roughly 60 kilometers from the city center, Xichong is an ideal location for astronomical observation. The Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory, inaugurated in September 2010, stands atop Yatouling on the east side of Xichong, surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing the sea—a core area for community stargazing.

　　Visitors notice the distinct streetlights at the foot of the hills: their yellow light is not only softer but also more focused, preventing light scatter. Within the community, various signs use lower color temperature lighting, resembling the gentle light of dusk.

　　"In 2021, after we initiated the goal of building a dark sky community, many local businesses joined us in this endeavor," explained Mei Lin, head of the astronomy department at the Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory. Through measures like the scientific renovation of lighting fixtures to reduce light pollution, Xichong received International Dark Sky Community certification in 2023, becoming the first in China and the second in Asia. 

　　A view of the Xichong International Dark Sky Community.

　　Amber Harrison, a program specialist for the International Dark Sky Community program, commented, "The Xichong International Dark Sky Community demonstrates that through carefully designed lighting schemes, it's entirely possible to create a nighttime environment that is both safe and beneficial for the community, while also protecting the natural world. Xichong connects people with nature and sets an example for other regions."

　　Mei Lin informed the visitors that since the establishment of the dark sky community, the number of days with active fireflies had increased from 35 in 2022 to 110 in 2024, while annually attracting over 2 million tourists, creating more than 200 local jobs, and bringing in over 100 million yuan (US$14 million) in investment.

　　"Economic development is important, but protecting the starry sky is also very important," said Lorite. "Shenzhen has struck a balance between environmental protection and urban development," added Smirnova.