Booming low-altitude economy has more application scenarios

China's low-altitude economy is entering a phase of rapid growth, offering people more excitement in the skies and bringing convenience through innovative aerial vehicle applications.

Various aerial vehicles are increasingly employed in China in more diversified scenarios.

In east China's Jiangsu Province, a domestically produced two-ton unmanned electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft successfully completed a flight across a stretch of the Yangtze River in early August, with its highest speed at 200 kilometers per hour.

The cutting-edge "air taxi" service of eVTOL aircraft, developed by a Shanghai-based start-up named AutoFlight, is expected to gain traction as it can provide a viable and affordable transportation option for tourists and commuters.

In Wuxi City of the province, aerial routes offer a unique perspective of the scenic ancient canal, demonstrating the potential of low-altitude flights for tourism.

In Chengdu City of southwest China's Sichuan Province, a cross-border e-commerce imported goods package was delivered via drone from the comprehensive bonded zone to a customer in just two minutes.

The State Council has just issued a document on ideas to promote the high-quality development of service consumption, proposing to encourage the development of new business models such as low-altitude flight. This is undoubtedly a clear signal that will further enrich the "low-altitude plus" application scenarios.

In the first half of this year, China registered over 600,000 new drones, resulting in a 48-percent increase in the number of drones from the end of last year.

Currently, over 14,000 drone companies hold valid civil unmanned aircraft operation certificates, and over 225,000 people possess unmanned drone operator licenses.

Last year, the scale of China's low-altitude economy surpassed 500 billion yuan (around 70 billion U.S. dollars), with the first half of this year generating 300 billion yuan (around 42 billion U.S. dollars) in new output value. Its scale is expected to reach 2 trillion yuan (around 279 billion U.S. dollars) by 2030.

Booming low-altitude economy has more application scenarios

Booming low-altitude economy has more application scenarios

Dunhuang City in northwest China's Gansu Province, renowned for its Mogao Grottoes, became an even more vibrant tourist hotspot during the National Day holiday. The city welcomed holidaymakers with a range of unforgettable experiences, showcasing its rich natural and cultural heritage. Before the sun rises over the vast desert, visitors flock to the highest peaks to witness the breathtaking sight of dawn breaking.

"At the moment I saw the sun rising from the other side of the desert, I felt an overwhelming excitement inside. Come out and enjoy the scenery; embrace the nature," said Beijing tourist Yu Di.

At the iconic Mingsha Mountain, which is named for the sound of the wind over the dunes, adventurers have multiple ways to enjoy the sunrise, including camel rides, or helicopter, delta wing glider and hot air balloon excursions.

Renowned for the magnificent architecture and rich history, the Mogao Grottoes, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage site, has provided digital exhibitions this year, allowing guests to step into the renowned 285th cave and engage with the age-old artwork with latest cutting-edge technology.

"Currently, we have digitized over 290 caves in the Mogao Grottoes. We are now showcasing these caves and the site through digital formats, such as green screen virtual studios, to provide visitors with an immersive experience. This allows everyone to clearly and intuitively understand the various aspects of the caves and the murals," said Chen Xin, an expert of the Dunhuang Academy's cultural relics digitization team.

In addition to stunning sights, Dunhuang's culinary legacy offers a taste of its rich heritage. From traditional snacks to savory dishes, each plate tells a story of cultural significance and local flavor.

The week-long National Day holiday, starting on October 1 and known as a "Golden Week", is one of China's largest annual public holidays.

Tourist hotspot Dunhuang rolls out colorful events during National Day holiday