Iskender
The sixth-generation Uyghur "Dawaz" elite from Xinjiang and holder of five Guinness World Records, known as the "Prince of the Sky" for completing a 100-meter high wire run in 38.68 seconds, Iskender will come to Stone Forest on July 30 to attempt a Guinness hot air balloon tightrope walking challenge. The event will also mark the beginning of the Stone Forest Torch Festival. While watching this thrilling Guinness high-altitude hot air balloon tightrope walk, visitors can also experience the authentic Stone Forest Torch Festival. This double visual spectacle—both in the air and on the ground—will take you into a unique Stone Forest where ethnic and modern fashion elements blend.
According to a press conference for the "Yunnan on Wheels · Yunnan’s First Hot Air Balloon Carnival," the event will officially kick off in Stone Forest on July 30. On that day, the Guinness hot air balloon tightrope walking challenge will take place, and throughout the event period until August 4, visitors can also enjoy the traditional charm of the Stone Forest Torch Festival.
It is understood that the event is jointly organized by the Yunnan Daily Media Group and the Stone Forest Scenic Area Administration, and hosted by Yunnan Shilin Tourism Group Co., Ltd. and Yunnan Daily Media Group Education Information Development Co., Ltd. With three major cultural activities—"Scenic Line," "Humanistic Line," and "Growth Line"—at its core, the event integrates culture and tourism, blending the traditional Stone Forest Torch Festival with modern leisure experiences. Traditional ethnic characteristics, fashionable elements, and high-tech features together interpret the theme of "New Stone Forest, New Life, New Tourism."
A World Natural Heritage site witnesses the birth of a new Guinness World Record
A 5-centimeter-wide steel wire, an 18-meter walking distance, a 21-meter-long wire, a 21-meter-diameter hot air balloon, and an altitude of 60 to 80 meters—these figures, combined with extremes, surprises, and thrills, will chemically react to create a new Guinness World Record. This is a long-held wish of Iskender. At the press conference, the "Prince of the Sky" expressed his confidence for the challenge by flexing his muscles.
"This is the first time a tightrope walk challenge has been attempted on a relatively moving high-altitude hot air balloon. The challenger will walk along a 5-centimeter-diameter wire. This event also fulfills a long-held idea of our program," said Wang Wei, director of CCTV's "Guinness China Night."
It is reported that when a hot air balloon encounters winds of force 3 in the air, it becomes unstable, and its flight direction is determined by wind direction. This means that two hot air balloon pilots must achieve an extremely high level of coordination to maintain a relatively stationary state between the two balloons to help the challenger complete the tightrope walk. In other words, achieving the perfect combination of timing, location, and human effort is essential to complete this challenge, making it a true test of human limits.
While watching the thrilling challenge, visitors can also enjoy a panoramic view of Stone Forest from the hot air balloon. During the event, there will also be hot air balloon flight experiences, fire-spitting parades, light sculpture evenings, drone aerial photography, and self-driving cycling activities.
Combining tourism and culture: A new exploration in the transformation and upgrading of Stone Forest Scenic Area
"As a World Natural Heritage site, Stone Forest enjoys high visibility both domestically and internationally and serves as a benchmark for the development of Yunnan’s tourism industry. Under the backdrop of the tourism industry’s second entrepreneurial phase, Stone Forest has continuously explored new paths. This hot air balloon carnival realizes the integration of tourism and culture, representing a new exploration in the transformation and upgrading of Stone Forest," said Zhang Pengxiang, Deputy Director of the Stone Forest Scenic Area Administration.
Currently, the income of traditional tourism mainly comes from "ticket sales." Most visitors only pass through the scenic area and do not leave a deep impression afterward. Many scenic areas fail to meet the deeper needs of tourists, and their potential for tourism development remains largely untapped. This situation can easily lead to bottlenecks in the development of tourist attractions and may even cause environmental damage and pollution.
Faced with this situation, one of the organizers, the Yunnan Daily Media Group, in conjunction with its "Yunnan on Wheels" brand campaign, has delved into the deeper integration of tourism and culture. Together with Stone Forest—a model for Yunnan’s tourism development—it has launched this hot air balloon carnival. The event injects new vitality into traditional tourism, increasing visitor participation, interaction, and enjoyment, allowing tourists to gain new experiences. While experiencing the wonders of nature, visitors can also engage in unique, participatory leisure tourism activities unique to Stone Forest. This enhances the influence and value of the Stone Forest Scenic Area brand, transforming the tourist destination from a mere "transit stop" into a "gathering place."