The most spectacular natural phenomenon on Earth occurred at Xinjiang near Hami. More than 140 people from Hong Kong joined thousands of eclipse-chasers from all over the world to observe this stunning event. The two-minute totality happened in the most nail-biting fashion as the eclipsed sun appeared from behind a large cloud. The next total solar eclipse will occur on 22 July 2009, and will be observable in many major cities in China.