Chasing Stars and Dreams: A Fantastic Journey under the Northwest China Skies

In the vast northwest land, the starry sky is like a dazzling gem embedded in the vast sky, exuding endless mystery and charm. Set foot on this land and embark on a fantastic journey in pursuit of stars and dreams.

I. Recommended Stargazing Locations

1.    Chaka

Tea Ka is one of the famous stargazing spots in the northwest. The place is sparsely populated with minimal light pollution. When night falls, the numerous stars are clearly visible, as if you could touch those distant stars just by stretching out your hand.

2.    Water Danxia Water Yi Fang Car Campground

There are basically no towns within a few hundred kilometers around the water Danxia, with less light pollution, which provides excellent conditions for star gazing. Here, you can fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the starry sky.

3.    Mars Base

The view of the stars from the Mars Base is not much different from other places, but the starry sky shot at the Yadan landscape of the Ruobo Plateau next to it is breathtaking, offering you a unique stargazing experience.

II. Preparations for Stargazing

Equipment Preparation

Bring a DSLR camera, tripod, and shutter release cable. Full-frame DSLRs have an advantage in image quality and high ISO performance, and are even better with wide-angle lenses. Entry-level kits or mirrorless cameras that support manual mode will also do; you don't have to worry about not being able to capture the stars.

2.    Shooting Techniques

Select manual focus and focus on infinity, set the ISO sensitivity to around 1600 - 3200, adjust the aperture to the maximum value of the lens, and use a shutter speed of 20 - 25 seconds. You can take a large number of photos with the delay function, then combine them in post-processing to obtain a complete star trail photo or convert it into a video.

III. Tips

1.    The temperature at night in the northwest is relatively low, remember to bring warm clothing.

2.    Check the local weather in advance and choose a clear night for stargazing.

3.    Pay attention to protecting the environment and do not litter.

Under the starry sky of the northwest, let us chase the stars, spread our dreams, and feel the endless charm of nature. Believe that this will be an unforgettable fantasy journey.