On July 22, 2009, a small portion of the world will get to view a total eclipse of the sun. After passing through India and China, the eclipse will peak over the Pacific. With a duration of over 6 and a half minutes, it will be longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century.

The best views of the eclipse will be on a line through Chengdu, Suining, Chongqing, Wuhan, Xiaogan, Hangzhou, and Shanghai, with the eclipse time gaining length as you go east.

Hangzhou is one of the best places to catch the eclipse. There are already tours planned to the tidal bore viewing park in Haining, 40 minutes from Hangzhou’s city center.One of the largest tidal bores of 2009 will also take place on the eclipse date, so this should be a hot spot. Getting out of the city will hopefully decrease the amount of air pollution obscuring the eclipse. The West Lake area in Hangzhou is also a good bet. Another good way to view the eclipse is on a hillside facing south. This means that Baoshi Hill or the top of Six Harmonies’ Pagoda would both be ideal spots to spend the few minutes of the eclipse.

Another choice would be Shanghai, though there are concerns about pollution obscuring the eclipse. On the other hand, if the haze is just right, it might add to the visual effect of the eclipse. I would go to the Bund in Shanghai and get pictures of the Pudong skyline during the eclipse.The photos would probably look like some sort of futuristic apocalypse.

My final suggestion would be to visit the Three Gorges Dam area, although I am not sure how well centered this area is over the eclipse line. If you can get a small boat on the breathtaking Little Three Gorges area during the eclipse, you will definitely see some impressive landscapes. However, try not to get too deep into the gorge or you will not be able to see over the cliffs to find the sun.

Wherever you are in China on July 22, the eclipse is bound to be a memorable event. So if you are traveling in China during this time, check out your itinerary and mark it down so that you can enjoy the longest solar eclipse in our lifetimes as an added attraction while visiting the country.

By Arthur J from England

Editor: Guo Changdong