China's wealthy aren't looking to travel to exotic locations on Earth these days, but seem to be thinking outside the box and looking to space travel as a viable vacation option, reports state.

For those who have around $96,500 to spare, a private trip to outer space is within their grasp. Rich Chinese can now book a trip to space via Taobao.com and make the journey with Dutch firm Space Expedition Corp (SXC).

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Orders opened on Thursday and within the first few minutes around 305 buyers purchased tickets for the five to six minute space expedition.

"It is exciting that Chinese can enjoy space travel with a click of a mouse. Hopefully it will usher in a new chapter for Chinese to explore outer space," said Zhang Yong, chief executive officer of Dexo Travel, a domestic travel agent that acted as the sole broker for SXC's business in China.

The program titled "Pioneer Astronaut" won't take off until 2015, but once it does it allows travelers to fly 61 kilometers into space on a Lynx Mark I and spend around six minutes above the Earth.

The $96,500 fee includes space travel as well as a round trip ticket from China to Mojave Civilian Aerospace Test Center in the United States where the launches will take place.

Not just anyone with the cash can book the tickets, however, travelers are required to undergo a rigorous physical exam before being allowed on the flight and must weigh less than 125 kg.

Participants are also strongly encouraged to undergo a week of astronaut training in order to prepare their bodies for the journey. Astronaut training involves flight simulation, fighter plane flying, and weightless and overweight experiences, in order to help determine whether or not a person is physically capable of the challenges involved in space travel. 

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