China achieved its first-ever successful land recovery of a rocket.

At 7:35 am on Wednesday, the ZQ3 Y2 rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. At 7:41 am, the over 40-meter-tall first stage landed firmly upright on the concrete landing pad in Minqin county, Gansu province.

We visited the site. Here's what it looks like up close.

Guo Yuhe contributed to this story.