The 7th Haikou Hot Air Balloon Festival and H1 China Hot Air Balloon Challenge officially kicked off at 8:00 PM on June 15th at Wanlv Park in Haikou City. With tethered flight performances, fire-spouting shows... 30 hot air balloon teams from across the country delivered a spectacular show to the audience.
This year marks the seventh consecutive year that the hot air balloon sport has come to Haikou. At the opening ceremony on the evening of the 15th, the vibrant colors of the balloons, the pilots' impressive skills and graceful presence, along with the spirit of pursuit and transcendence they embodied, not only brought countless surprises, joys, and aesthetic pleasures to local residents, but also further showcased the unique charm of Haikou. The 30-minute fire-spouting performance was especially captivating.
It is understood that the 7th Haikou Hot Air Balloon Festival and H1 China Hot Air Balloon Challenge will be held in Haikou from June 15 to 18. During this period, 30 hot air balloon teams from across the country will participate, with 15 teams attempting to cross the Qiongzhou Strait. Activities such as tethered flight experiences for citizens, fixed-point fire-spouting performances, nighttime vertical balloon displays, and the Qiongzhou Strait crossing challenge will be held, offering residents and tourists an exciting and beautiful urban landscape and sports spectacle.
According to officials from the Haikou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports and Tourism, this year’s festival will emphasize a combination of 'professional competition' and 'public participation.' The 30 participating teams are highly skilled and experienced, representing the top level of China’s hot air balloon sports. Many pilots have taken part in the previous six Haikou Hot Air Balloon Festivals and have successfully crossed the Qiongzhou Strait multiple times.
The Haikou Hot Air Balloon Festival and Challenge is a national-level hot air balloon event approved by the General Administration of Sport of China. It is also the longest-running, most distinctive, and most attractive branded hot air balloon competition in China. It has become a beautiful city calling card for Haikou. Together with yacht, windsurfing, and golf activities, the Haikou Hot Air Balloon Festival forms part of Haikou’s integrated sea, land, and air outdoor aerobic sports and leisure industry.
After seven years of careful development, as the event has matured, many tourists visiting Hainan have had the chance to experience the joy of riding in a hot air balloon. This has played a positive role in developing Hainan Island’s aerial tourism resources and promoting the popularization and development of hot air ballooning nationwide. Meanwhile, while hosting the hot air balloon sports events, Haikou has leveraged its urban landscape resources to develop derivative products and activities, promoting the integration of culture, sports, and tourism, and presenting the new sports identity of “Haikou, the Capital of Hot Air Balloons” to the nation and the world.