Dongfeng Aerospace City in northwest Gansu Province is the home of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Hundreds of thousands of people, mostly scientists and their families, also call the city home.

Restaurants, schools, hospitals and theaters the Dongfeng aerospace city has it all. Scientists for the space program are working and living here.

50 years ago, the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, the first of its kind in China, was set up here. It is now also the only manned spacecraft launch center.

But the history of this land can be traced back even further. It was an important station along the Silk Road to Europe.

Now, residents of the space city have developed it into a modern space center. The city is also an oasis in the desert, with lush lawns and shady trees.

This tower is the city's most important landmark. It, was built to symbolize the spirit of the people involved in the Chinese space program.

The astronauts live in this building complex, called "Ask the Sky". Since September 2003, the building has been the home for astronauts.

Nearly everything here, from the street lights to the buildings, are decorated with things related to space.

The people in Dongfeng aerospace city have made great achievements, from Shenzhou one to Shenzhou Seven and they will continue to create history for China's Space program.

(CCTV September 23, 2008)