Deng Licai, a researcher at the NAOC, said scientists have been examining the conditions around Lenghu for over three years, and the findings were published in the journal Nature this year, attracting evaluations from over 200 international peers. 

"Lenghu's location is extremely important because other world-class astronomical sites are all located in the Western Hemisphere. So if a major astronomical event were to occur in that region during the day time, we would miss our chance to make a major scientific discovery," Deng said. 

However, one of the reasons why China is behind other scientific powerhouses in optical astronomy is because it lacks an ideal observation site to house these instruments, said Chang Jin, head of the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. 

"I believe the Lenghu observatory site will help our astronomers achieve breakthroughs in developing related technologies and conducting original scientific research," he said. 

Deng Licai, a researcher at the NAOC, said scientists have been examining the conditions around Lenghu for over three years, and the findings were published in the journal Nature this year, attracting evaluations from over 200 international peers. 

"Lenghu's location is extremely important because other world-class astronomical sites are all located in the Western Hemisphere. So if a major astronomical event were to occur in that region during the day time, we would miss our chance to make a major scientific discovery," Deng said. 

Kong Xu, a professor from the University of Science and Technology of China, said they are building a 2.5-meter-diameter telescope in the area, and it is set to complete installation and begin operation next year. 

Cui Xiangqun, noted astronomer and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said they plan to move the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope, dubbed LAMOST, to Lenghu in the next three years. 

LAMOST is China's first major scientific instrument in astronomy located in Xinglong county, Hebei province. Due to local economic growth, light pollution at the old site is starting to interfere with the performance of the instrument. 

"The relocation and subsequent upgrades will greatly improve LAMOST's detection range and allow it to collect far more astronomical spectra and data," she said. 

Zhang Li, vice-governor of Qinghai province, said there are now nine different telescopes set to be built in Lenghu, with a total investment of over 2 billion yuan. 

"We will expand pragmatic cooperation research with institutions and universities from home and abroad, and make Lenghu into a key hub for scientific discovery, education and uncovering the secrets of the universe," she said. "The 'cold lake' will not be cold and desolate anymore." (China Daily)