Low-altitude tourism takes off on China’s tropical island

A tourist enjoys paragliding in Lingshui Li Autonomous County, south China’s Hainan Province, May 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

A helicopter was slowly ascending, offering a breathtaking view of the vast blue ocean below and the stunning tropical coastal city of Sanya in south China’s Hainan.

Sat in the cabin of the helicopter was He Jixu, a tourist from southwest China’s Sichuan Province. It was the first time he had enjoyed a helicopter ride over the resort city, an unforgettable highlight of his trip.

“Seeing the ocean from the sky is an entirely different experience. The view is incredibly expansive, the scenery is more breathtaking, and it feels so unique,” he said.

For tourists, the charm of the island now extends beyond its signature…