This site was operational radiometric calibration and validation for Chinese satellite sensors in 2001, and located on the east edge of the Kumutage Penniform Desert in Gansu province, South-West China. It is a Gobi desert, and about 35 km west
the city of Dunhuang . The whole target area for vicarious calibration is situated on a stabilised alluvial fan, 30 km x 30 km size. The area used for high spatial sensors (such as CBERS, TM etal) vicarious calibration measurements is approximately 400 m x 400 m in the centre of the fan and the surface comprises cemented gravels, and 15km×15km for low spatial sensors (Such as NOAA/AVHRR, FY-1/FY-3 optical imagers and EOS/MODIS etal ) vicarious calibration with no vegetation.