Eastern China town building 'The Sky Eye' to attract world astronomy lovers

A town in eastern China announced plans on Saturday to turn itself into the world's best astronomy-themed tourist site, as the local government signed a deal with global organizations for cooperation.

Xuyi county, located in Jiangsu province, is currently famous in China for its crayfish. But it has decided to think bigger.

The local government has begun cooperating with the International Planetarium Society (IPS), the "largest and most authoritative organization of planetarium professionals in the world," as its introduction claims.

British astronomy development company Immersive Dome Experience has also joined the project.

According to pictures provided by the site planners, this "Xuyi IPS Starry Town" will have a 70-meter ring-shaped complex building called "The Sky Eye", and a tourist area with traditional Chinese architecture.

"Humans all share the sky, yet it is becoming more challenging to see it given many city lights," said Shawn Laatsch, president of IPS.