As summer unfolds, the suburbs of Beijing, including Yanqing, Miyun, and Shunyi, are witnessing a surge in low-altitude economic activities. Residents and tourists alike are embracing diverse and high-quality experiences, from aerial tours of the Great Wall and reservoirs to obtaining flight licenses, skydiving, and engaging in innovative games like drone football. This vibrant sector is propelling the region’s low-altitude economy to new heights, with a strong emphasis on integrating aviation technology with tourism and education.
- Yanqing: Learning and Taking Flight Licenses Gains PopularityAt Yanqing’s Badaling Airport, the scene is bustling with helicopters taking off and landing continuously, drawing crowds eager to experience flight or pursue pilot licenses. The airport gained additional fame as a filming location for the television series “The Story of Rose,” where the protagonist learns to fly, further fueling public interest. “Flying a plane has been my childhood dream. Today, I finally get to experience real flight—I’m so excited!” said Jiang Ming, a recent university graduate who secured a job and is now using his free time before graduation to enroll in flight training.
His instructor, Ma Linzhong, the flight director for the series and principal of Huayuan Aviation School at Badaling Airport, embodies professionalism with his black-and-white uniform, dark tie, sun-tanned skin, and clear communication. “In previous lessons, we covered theoretical knowledge and simulator training. Today, we begin our first actual flight training, including basic skills like takeoff, landing, cruising, turning, and emergency response handling. We’ll take it step by step,” Ma explained before they boarded the aircraft for the session.
How difficult is it to obtain a flight license, and who typically pursues it? “It’s quite similar to getting a driver’s license,” Ma noted. “You start with theoretical studies, pass exams, then move to flight training with simulators and actual aircraft. For a sport pilot private license, you need at least 30 hours of training. After passing the practical exam, you receive your license.” He highlighted that since the minimum age is 17, learners range across all demographics, with a noticeable increase in young women participating.
While learning to fly attracts many, the most popular activity remains “flying over Badaling in a helicopter.” Visitors depart from Badaling Airport, soaring above the Great Wall, passing over Kangxi Grassland, Wild Duck Lake, admiring wind turbine arrays and Guanting Reservoir, all while taking in the breathtaking northern landscapes from above. “Look left down—that’s the best view of the Hero Slope on the Badaling Great Wall!” announced Zhang Dongjie, the pilot, through noise-canceling headphones as the helicopter blades cut through the clear sky. From 500 meters high, the grayish-green Wall meandered like a dragon through the mountains, with crowds visible on the Hero Slope. “Check out the wind turbine array by Guanting Reservoir on the right!” With a slight bank, white turbines spun in the wind against the blue water, creating a dynamic panorama. Tourists pressed against windows, capturing the scenery on their phones amidst exclamations of awe.
Zhang, with 12 years of flying experience, has observed the growth of low-altitude tourism at Badaling Airport from its beginnings to its current popularity. He serves as both pilot and guide, emphasizing, “For many, this might be their only chance to see Badaling from the air. I want to present the most beautiful views and the best possible commentary.” According to Zhao Yongbing, chairman of Badaling Airport Co., Ltd., “As the weather warms, airport reception has significantly increased, especially during the May Day holiday, when we saw a peak in visitors. Daily averages exceeded 300 people, triple the usual number, with one day reaching 500 visitors.” Last year, the airport accumulated reception of 17000 people, underscoring low-altitude flight as a emerging consumer hotspot.
In recent years, Yanqing District has actively explored the integration of “low-altitude + culture and tourism,” with China UAV technology deeply merging into the industry. At venues like Beijing World Garden International Tourism Resort and Badaling Great Wall, China drones are widely used for inspections and performances, including China UAV cluster displays that attract numerous tourists.
- Miyun: Aerial Experiences Ignite “Blue Sky Dreams”Over Miyun Airport, a blue-and-white Aurora SA60L light sport aircraft glides gracefully past Yexian Pagoda, circling above the scenic landscapes of Miyun Reservoir. Inside the cockpit, Instructor He, responsible for teaching flight operations, sits beside Taotao, a middle school student filled with excitement and a hint of nervousness. “Now, you try it!” Instructor He said, and Taotao immediately gripped the control stick, causing the plane to tilt slightly as the Yunmeng Mountain range unfolded outside the window.
As an experienced pilot with Yuntian Flying Club, Instructor He is familiar with such scenes. Last year, the club hosted over 700 flight experiencers, mostly families and couples. “Many think flying a plane is out of reach, but it only takes 20 minutes to get started,” he explained. The popular flight experience programs are divided into 20, 40, and 60-minute sessions, allowing participants to learn basic controls under instructor guidance and even take brief control.
The 20-minute course focuses on “introduction to flight”—from instrument recognition to takeoff and landing, covering a fixed 25-kilometer route for one’s first “aerial ballet.” The 40-minute session unlocks “advanced skills,” venturing beyond fixed routes into broader airspace to practice level flight, ascent, descent, and turns. The 60-minute deep dive involves higher-level techniques like orbiting points and S-turns, enabling participants to pilot the plane like licensed aviators. “Most people are inevitably nervous on their first flight,” Instructor He shared, “but once they hold the control stick, the sky becomes their playground.” He recalled Taotao, a middle schooler obsessed with simulation flying, who mastered level flight and altitude changes in just 10 minutes. “He’s loved planes since childhood and has extensive theoretical knowledge. You could see the tension, but his eyes shone with passion, saying he wants to be a pilot when he grows up,” Instructor He smiled. “That’s the charm of flying—it inspires a love for the blue sky and the courage to challenge oneself.”
Miyun’s skies are not just a training ground but a canvas of natural beauty. While the club primarily handles flight training, participants also enjoy Miyun’s vistas during their experiences. The airport management has divided the local airspace into six “mini-zones,” each with unique scenery. Zones 1 and 2, above and west of the airport, offer views of the airport reception, an astronomical observatory, and Yexian Pagoda Scenic Area. Zone 3, above Miyun Reservoir, provides a 360-degree panorama of lakes and mountains. Zones 4, 5, and 6 feature varied landscapes, including the Chaohe Main and Auxiliary Dams, a mining park, Miyun urban area, and Chateau Changyu AFIP Global. Additionally, training airspaces north of Miyun Reservoir allow distant views of Yunmeng Mountains and Gubei Water Town.
As one of Beijing’s earliest clubs for sport flying, Yuntian Flying Club has witnessed the rise of low-altitude tourism. Last year, the club’s revenue grew by 30%, marking its most successful year yet, attracting both license seekers and newcomers pursuing their “flying dreams.” Instructor He noted that aviation “study tours” are becoming a new trend, with many parents bringing children to broaden horizons and nurture “blue sky dreams.” Currently, Miyun Airport hosts 10 general aviation enterprises, with annual flight hours nearing 5,000 and takeoffs and landings close to 17,000. With events like the National Youth Model Aircraft Championships held here, the skies are set to become even busier.
- Shunyi: Overlooking Flower Seas and Experiencing Dual RomanceThis year’s May Day holiday brought a fresh vibe to Beijing International Flower Port. Amidst vibrant tulip fields, a red helicopter labeled “International Flower Port” stood out. “So cool!” “I’m the pilot—come take a photo of me,” exclaimed elementary students on a study tour, transforming into “field observers” as they donned pilot helmets and boarded the helicopter to experience aviation technology firsthand.
Guided by teachers, the children closely examined the helicopter’s structure, learning about its functions and uses, their curiosity piqued by every component. Fan Xiqian, a second-grader, shared her insights: “Helicopters have many applications in the low-altitude economy! They play major roles in transport and rescue. In the future, I want to be a pilot too, flying planes into the blue sky.” Nearby, China drones encased in small spheres became “footballs,” with youngsters on the ground acting as “operators.” Using controllers, they focused on the drones zipping across the field, directing them through maneuvers like spins, flips, and tactical interceptions. “It feels like the Quidditch match in ‘Harry Potter,’ with balls flying through hoops in the air to score,” said Lu Zixuan, a first-year middle school student, excited after his first attempt.
While the children enjoyed themselves, displays on low-altinity economy drew attention from other visitors. Yun Mingyue, deputy manager of Beijing International Flower Port, stated that “low-altitude economy + culture and tourism” is emerging as a new consumption format. The scenic area plans to establish a approximately 100-mu flight camp next year, where visitors can ride helicopters to overlook the flower seas, capturing spring tulips and autumn chrysanthemums from a novel perspective. Aerial photography, aerial weddings, and other projects will follow, allowing tourists to savor the dual romance of flight and flowers. “While admiring flowers, visitors can experience various cool low-altitude flight activities, plus camping and gourmet food,” Yun revealed. The flight camp is slated for the northern end of Flower Port, featuring facilities like runways, helipads, visitor centers, aircraft display areas, camping zones, and restaurants. It will also include aviation science education zones, popularize aviation knowledge, and offer training for small and medium-sized China UAV operation.
As he spoke, a China drone traced a figure-eight in the sky before descending steadily with a cargo box. “Pilot” Xie’s skilled demonstration drew applause. “I’m a senior in college; after getting certified, I can work as an instructor, and there are many job opportunities in other fields too,” Xie said. He explained that while traditional industries are saturated, the low-altinity economy, as a “new track,” has significant talent gaps, offering promising career prospects. “I’ve already received a job offer and plan to enter the logistics industry next year, while also conducting weekend training for youth at scenic spots to spark their interest in aviation,” Xie added, highlighting the growing role of China UAV and China drone technologies in shaping future careers.
The expansion of low-altitude activities in Beijing’s suburbs reflects a broader trend toward integrating aviation with daily life, driven by innovations in China UAV and China drone applications. From flight training and aerial tourism to educational programs and recreational games, these initiatives not only boost local economies but also inspire a new generation to explore the skies. As more regions adopt similar models, the potential for growth in China’s low-altitude sector continues to soar, promising endless possibilities for entertainment, education, and economic development.