China beats Iran to the punch on nuclear tourism

New York Times: Iran talked about it, but China is now really doing it. Visitors to Guangdong Province in southeastern China can now add the Dayawan Nuclear Power Base to a growing list of local sights. Xinhua, the official news agency, reported that the China Guangdong Nuclear Power Holding Company has opened an exhibition hall, a lookout point, a wharf and a road at China’s largest nuclear base by the South China Sea — all for tourists. The New York Times

By JENNIFER CONLIN
Published: February 11, 2007

Iran talked about it, but China is now really doing it. Visitors to Guangdong Province in southeastern China can now add the Dayawan Nuclear Power Base to a growing list of local sights. Xinhua, the official news agency, reported that the China Guangdong Nuclear Power Holding Company has opened an exhibition hall, a lookout point, a wharf and a road at China’s largest nuclear base by the South China Sea — all for tourists.

The news agency said that the exhibition hall has photographs, diagrams and video records about the base and other related facilities. The lookout point on Qingren (Lovers) Island offers visitors the romantic view of two nuclear power plants under construction. When they are completed, there will be six nuclear power generation units on the base. Visitors pay an entry fee of 30 yuan (about $3.80 at 7.9 yuan to the dollar); 15 yuan for students. Only 300 visitors are allowed in each day.

Although there is still no confirmation that Iran has opened any of its nuclear facilities to tourists as it said it would in October, nuclear neophytes closer to home can log onto www.atomictraveler.com and buy an audio book, “The Traveler’s Guide to Nuclear Weapons.” The guide lists 160 factories, homes, offices, laboratories and bomb detonation sites in the United States that have played a part in America’s nuclear history. Under traveling tips, the Web site recommends taking along a Geiger counter.