Solar eclipse sparks tourist fever in China

HANGZHOU, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The longest total solar eclipse of this century has triggered tourist fever along China's Yangtze River Valley as astronomy enthusiasts from home and abroad flock there to watch the event on July 22.

The total eclipse, which lasts as long as six minutes 43 seconds, will be visible along the river valley on Wednesday morning.

Wang Sichao, an expert with the Purple Mountain Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences based in east China's Nanjing City, said the eclipse will not be surpassed in duration until June 13, 2132.

"The number of people watching the solar eclipse will make a historical record, since previous solar eclipses can only be best observed in desolate regions," said Wang.

The total eclipse is expected to begin between 9 a.m. to 9:38 a.m. (Beijing Time), the expert said.

Viewers in Chinese regions beyond the river valley, including Beijing, can observe a partial eclipse, he added.

The National Astronomical Observatories has recommended eight sites in eastern China that the agency believes are the best places to view the event.

Among the sites is Jiaxing, a city in Zhejiang province.