In the late autumn of Shunan, the emerald hues remain. On November 9, to implement the spirit of the Sichuan Provincial Culture and Tourism Development Conference, consolidate and enhance the achievements of creating "Tianfu Famous Tourism Counties," strengthen exchanges and cooperation among cities in the Tianfu Famous Tourism County Cultural and Tourism Development Alliance, showcase cultural and tourism resources, enhance the appeal and influence, and polish the golden brand of Tianfu Famous Tourism Counties, the Tianfu Famous Tourism County Cultural and Tourism Development Alliance event themed "Soar with Dreams·Fly Over the Bamboo Sea" and the "2019 China Hot Air Balloon Club League Sichuan·Changning (Shunan Bamboo Sea) Station" grandly kicked off in Changning, Sichuan.
This station’s competition was jointly organized by the Chinese Aeronautical Sports Association, the Yibin Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism, the Yibin Municipal Bureau of Education and Sports, the People's Government of Changning County, and the Management Committee of the "Two Seas" Demonstration Zone of Yibin, with co-organization by the Shunan Bamboo Sea Tourism Development Co., Ltd. of Yibin, the Publicity Department of the CPC Changning County Committee, the Changning County Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism, the Changning County Bureau of Education and Sports, and assistance from the Changning County Urban Construction Investment Co., Ltd. It was exclusively operated by Sports Trend.
On the morning of the 9th, the opening ceremony was held at the venue opposite Dongshan Primary School on Section One of Zhuhai Avenue. Attending were Liu Xiao, Deputy Director of the Aviation Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China; Chai Yanzhu, Executive Vice President and Secretary-General of the Sichuan Tourism Association; Wang Liping, Vice Mayor of the Yibin Municipal Government; Huang Tiancai, Second-Level Researcher of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Dong Maocheng, Secretary of the CPC Changning County Committee; Zhou Wenwu, Deputy Secretary of the Party Working Committee and Director of the Management Committee of the "Two Seas" Demonstration Zone of Yibin; Ling Yu, General Manager of Sports Trend; Zhou Xiaoping, Chairman of the CPPCC of Changning County; Zou Mingqin, Deputy Director of the Yibin Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism; Li Peichao, Researcher of the Yibin Municipal Bureau of Education and Sports; Zhou Qingshu, Deputy Director of the Jiange County People's Congress; Zeng Xiaoping, Deputy County Magistrate of Daocheng County People's Government; Hou Zhiqiang, Deputy County Magistrate of Wenchuan County People's Government, and other leaders and guests. Jia Lihua, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Changning County Committee and County Magistrate of the Changning County Government, presided over the opening ceremony.
During the ceremony, warm-up performances full of enthusiasm showcased the unique charm and distinctive features of beautiful Changning. Representatives from the first batch of 10 Tianfu Famous Tourism Counties in Sichuan took the stage one by one to introduce their counties' tourism development resources and specialties to the audience, and together completed a sand painting themed "Solidify, Promote, and Polish the Golden Brand of Tianfu Famous Tourism Counties."
Dong Maocheng, Secretary of the CPC Changning County Committee; Wang Liping, Vice Mayor of the Yibin Municipal Government; and Chai Yanzhu, Executive Vice President and Secretary-General of the Sichuan Tourism Association, delivered speeches respectively at the opening ceremony. Zhou Wenwu, Deputy Secretary of the Party Working Committee and Director of the Management Committee of the "Two Seas" Demonstration Zone of Yibin, gave a tourism promotion for the "Two Seas" Demonstration Zone to the attending leaders and guests. Liu Xiao, Deputy Director of the Aviation Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, announced the official opening of the competition. Hot air balloons named after the first batch of 10 Tianfu Famous Tourism Counties led all participating balloons in simultaneous takeoff, marking the beginning of the event.
That evening, a spectacular hot air balloon torch parade lit up Changning, drawing crowds of onlookers across the city. All 30 torch parade vehicles lined up in a single-file dragon formation, with the 10 vehicles named after the first batch of Tianfu Famous Tourism Counties leading the way. Under police escort, they set off from the main venue of the opening ceremony and slowly proceeded along the bustling main roads of Changning County.
The burners of 30 hot air balloons, to the commands of the instructors and waves of cheers from the audience, rhythmically spewed flames in sync with dynamic music. The 5-kilometer torching section was ablaze with radiant light, as blazing flames shot forth, pushing the atmosphere to a climax. Amidst light and fire, the joyful and peaceful smiles of people were on display, reflecting the happy lives of local residents.
It is understood that the China Hot Air Balloon Club League is the most professional national-level hot air balloon competition in China, organized by the Chinese Aeronautical Sports Association and held annually in major cities. Following the successful conclusion of the Ningxia Yanchi Station in August this year, the China Hot Air Balloon Club League has now arrived at the Changning (Shunan Bamboo Sea) Station. The most important competitive segment of this station’s competition will take place from November 10 to 13, spanning four days. The event features nine competitive events including designated targets, optional targets, wandering waltz, greyhound chasing rabbit, flying to the main venue, and elbow flight. Thirty top domestic hot air balloon clubs and 60 pilots will compete in the skies, with the overall top performer receiving the "Navigator Suit."
Notably, this event breaks away from the traditional sports competition model by integrating interactive experience elements. From the afternoon of November 10 to November 12, eight hot air balloons will provide free tethered hot air balloon experiences for the people of Changning County and visitors at three locations: the main venue of the opening ceremony, Shunan Bamboo Sea, and Shunan Flower Sea. During this time, people can not only get up close to hot air balloons but also enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Changning from an aerial perspective, taking in views of the bamboo sea and experiencing the unique charm of low-altitude tourism.
Changning County in Sichuan boasts beautiful landscapes, excellent ecology, rich culture, and abundant resources. It is known as the "Hometown of Bamboo in China," one of the "Top Ten Ecological Health Tourism Counties in China," and one of the first ten "Tianfu Famous Tourism Counties" in Sichuan Province. With a warm and humid climate year-round and distinct seasons, it is highly suitable for hot air balloon flights. Since 2017, the China Hot Air Balloon Club League has been held in Changning for three consecutive years. Hosting the competition in scenic Changning not only allows participants to enjoy stunning views of places like Shunan Bamboo Sea and Shunan Flower Sea while competing at high altitudes, enhancing the visual appeal of the event, but also embodies the concept of integrated "sports + tourism" development. This allows tourists to experience the unique charm of the Bamboo Sea Capital and wellness-focused Changning from a new perspective, solidifying and promoting the golden brand of Sichuan's first batch of Tianfu Famous Tourism Counties, comprehensively advancing the development of eco-tourism, and accelerating Changning’s progress toward becoming a "National All-for-One Tourism Demonstration Zone," an international bamboo ecological cultural tourism destination, and a modern tourism economic powerhouse.