The Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gansu Province gets ready for this morning's launch of the country's second manned spacecraft, Shenzhou VI, carrying two Chinese astronauts chosen from six candidates. The launch will be broadcast live on CCTV beginning at 8 am or 9 am. -Xinhua

Jiuquan, a small town in north China's Gobi Desert, caught worldwide attention in 1970 when China launched its first satellite, and has since developed into a space city with a population of tens of thousands.

Now, Jiuquan is known as the starting point of China's "long march into space."

To many visitors' surprise, residents of the town enjoy a modern life as convenient as those who live in other parts of the country.

In addition to schools, cinemas, sports facilities, restaurants, beauty parlors and shops, there are telephone, TV and Internet services in the city. Visitors can buy souvenirs like the miniature models of rocket carriers and spacecraft.

Everywhere one looks there are clues to the role the town plays. One might walk down Space Road or stay in a hotel called Sky Flying, and the street lamps are designed in the shape of a rocket.

Visitors may also spot numerous pictures of top Chinese scientists engaged in weapons and space technology.

Only army barracks, the residence of Chinese astronauts and other places guarded by soldiers give a sense of secrecy to outsiders.

The Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, which was built in 1958, is the only launch site for manned spacecraft in the country. To date, it has witnessed the launching of 37 satellites and five spacecraft. It is where China launched the first Chinese-made missile, satellite, long-range rocket carrier, rocket carrying three satellites, unmanned spacecraft and manned spacecraft.