Beijing Dec 28 (IANS) China is building a village in its northwest Qinghai province simulating the environmental conditions on Mars.
The project as part of China s Mars exploration preparation was approved by experts in Beijing on Thursday Xinhua news agency reported.
The village will be constructed in the red rock area of the Qaidam basin in western Qinghai which has been dubbed "the most Martian place on Earth".
Covering 702 hectares the "Mars Village" will consist of a tourism centre a Mars community a simulation base and other facilities.
The total investment is estimated at 850 million yuan (about $130 million).
--IANS
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