On November 12, the press conference for the "2018 China · Changning Shunan Bamboo Sea Hot Air Balloon Sky Flying Month" event was held in Beijing. The event is jointly organized by the Yibin Municipal Education and Sports Bureau, Yibin Municipal Tourism Development Commission, People's Government of Changning County, and the Administration of Shunan Bamboo Sea Scenic Area in Yibin; it is hosted by Yibin Shunan Bamboo Sea Tourism Development Co., Ltd., the Publicity Department of the CPC Changning County Committee, Changning County Education, Sports, Culture and Radio & Television Bureau, and Changning County Tourism Development Bureau; and operated by Shizhi Sports.
At the conference, not only were the details of the Sky Flying Month activities announced, but the rich tourism resources of Changning’s Shunan Bamboo Sea were also promoted. Attending the event were Jia Lihua, Deputy Secretary and County Magistrate of Changning County; Chen Qiang, Standing Committee Member and Head of the Propaganda Department of Changning County; Li Peichao, Researcher from the Yibin Municipal Education and Sports Bureau; Li Xinjiang, Deputy Director of the Shunan Bamboo Sea Administration; Wan Jiang, Director of the Changning County People's Government Office; Liu Longquan, Director of the Changning County Tourism Development Bureau; Zhang Xueyuan, Director of the Changning County Education, Sports, Culture and Radio & Television Bureau; and Ling Yu, CEO of Shizhi Sports. In addition, numerous media reporters gathered at the scene to witness the captivating launch of the "2018 China · Changning Shunan Bamboo Sea Hot Air Balloon Sky Flying Month."
Since the release of the "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of the Sports Industry" and the "Healthy China 2030" Outline in 2016, the era of "national fitness" and "sports + tourism" has entered the public eye. As a trendy and highly adaptable sport, hot air ballooning can comprehensively showcase the stunning scenery of scenic areas, attracting widespread attention and affection. To actively respond to and implement the national fitness policy, accelerate the development of the sports tourism industry in Changning County, and promote the integrated upgrade of sports and tourism at the Shunan Bamboo Sea Scenic Area, Changning County specially organized the "2018 China · Changning Shunan Bamboo Sea Hot Air Balloon Sky Flying Month." With its continuous, rare, and ultimate event features, it aims to create one of the few top-tier national hot air balloon low-altitude sports events in China that are highly experiential and visually spectacular, providing an excellent platform for outdoor sports enthusiasts and tourists nationwide.
It is reported that the "2018 China · Changning Shunan Bamboo Sea Hot Air Balloon Sky Flying Month" will grandly open on November 23. This edition of the Sky Flying Month has undergone a comprehensive upgrade in terms of event duration, content, and media coverage. The entire event will last for two weeks, featuring 30 performance hot air balloons, with over 600 media outlets participating in reporting. Through a series of highly entertaining, experiential, and shareable activities, it will allow hot air balloon and low-altitude sports enthusiasts and tourists to not only experience the wonderful joy brought by hot air balloons but also enjoy a unique journey through the Shunan Bamboo Sea.
It is understood that the "2018 China · Changning Shunan Bamboo Sea Hot Air Balloon Sky Flying Month" is divided into two phases. The first phase runs from November 23 to November 25, featuring a three-day opening ceremony celebration. During this time, model aircraft displays and powered parachute flights will make exciting appearances, offering visitors continuous, diverse, and highly visual aerial performances, presenting a fantastical visual feast that allows citizens and tourists to experience the unique charm of low-altitude sports from a new perspective. Additionally, romantic hot air balloon weddings, spectacular fire-spitting parades, and colorful hot air balloon launches will also take place during the Flying Month. On the evening of November 23, during the "Light Up Changning – Supporting the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics" segment, Li Jianrou, the women’s 500m short track speed skating champion and Winter Olympics gold medalist, will be present to light the first hot air balloon in Changning. The other 29 balloons will also be illuminated simultaneously, all rotating under the pilots’ control, resembling twinkling stars in the vast starry sky. Accompanied by beautiful music, they will dance a joyful “Waltz,” collectively cheering for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
The second phase takes place from November 26 to December 6, during which activities such as free hot air balloon flights, tethered hot air balloon experiences, and charitable hot air balloon flights will be successively launched. Citizens and tourists will have the opportunity to ride romantic hot air balloons soaring above the Shunan Bamboo Sea, viewing the swaying bamboo sea under the breeze, the picturesque landscape of Lake Qinglong, and the otherworldly scenery of Xianyudong. In addition, during the event, a fun and educational family outdoor activity zone will be set up at the China Aviation Flight Camp located within the Shunan Bamboo Sea Scenic Area. This includes a hot air balloon knowledge classroom, on-site model balloon making, parent-child paper airplane competitions, family orienteering treasure hunts, creative hot air balloon graffiti, and a hot air balloon-themed market. These activities aim to encourage more families to venture outdoors, experience the joyful atmosphere of the 2018 China · Changning Shunan Bamboo Sea Hot Air Balloon Sky Flying Month, and share precious family time together.
To further enhance the brand influence of the "Shunan Bamboo Sea Hot Air Balloon Sky Flying Month" and seize this opportunity to establish Changning as China’s "No. 1 Sacred Site for Low-Altitude Tourism," the event will invite over 600 mainstream media outlets across the country to provide follow-up coverage. With healthy, positive, and fashionable themes, the event will be comprehensively disseminated to elevate the influence of Changning’s city brand and the reputation of the Shunan Bamboo Sea Scenic Area.