Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Nanning, January 1 (Xinhua) — With a roar of its blades, a helicopter made a turn over the jagged karst terrain of Yangshuo, a tourist city in southern China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (GZAR). Sabina Makarova, clutching her seat, couldn't tear her gaze away from the karst peaks for which GZAR is famous. From below, they seemed like a fairytale world, as if pulled straight from the pages of her favorite book.
“This is nothing less than divine providence,” she said with genuine awe, her Russian accent almost disappearing into the surrounding Chinese speech.
For Sabina, known as Huanhuan to her millions of followers on Douyin, China's equivalent of TikTok, this was more than just a city tour. It was a bold look at a landscape that has inspired artists and travelers for centuries, now presented in a new dimension – from a bird's eye view.
Fluent in Mandarin and long considered China her second home, Sabina has built a strong following by exploring the country's rich cultural tapestry, from bustling food streets to hidden urban gems.
But her recent trip to Yangshuo was a bold step forward: she immersed herself in the country's increasingly popular low-altitude tourism, which reveals Guilin's otherworldly beauty in a whole new light: mist-shrouded limestone peaks and an emerald ribbon of a river—a landscape captured in ancient poetry and on the 20-yuan banknote.
From a helicopter operated by a local airline, the panorama revealed itself as a classical Chinese scroll come to life. "Rivers cut through the mountains, and villages are hidden in the valleys," Sabina noted. "This grandiose scene usually goes unnoticed by most travelers on traditional tours."
According to pilot Zhou Nanchuan, who has been flying these routes for over ten years, low-altitude tourism emerged as a niche alternative to the classic and highly sought-after river cruises on the Lijiang River. It offers more opportunities and a more immersive experience. In a region where tourism has traditionally relied on rafting and hiking, offering panoramic views from a bird's eye view feels revolutionary.
However, not all of Sabina's adventures were equally exciting. Seeking a more positive experience, she decided to try a tethered hot air balloon ride, which has become popular in Yangshuo since around 2016.
Here you can choose between a zipline or a free-floating experience up to a kilometre above the picturesque Yulong River, a tributary of the Lijiang.
"It's not just a glimpse of the landscape," Sabina shares. "You feel immersed in it. The peaks seem within reach, the details below become clearer. It's both tranquil and ecstatic."
Mo Qinghong, a member of the ground crew who services the hot air balloon flights, enthusiastically describes the attraction's popularity: "It's become our calling card."
Next, in pursuit of a new dose of adrenaline, Sabina went on a via ferrata – a rock route equipped with steel cables and clamps, rising to the height of approximately a 35-story building.
"I thought I wasn't afraid of heights," Sabina admits. "But it was exciting and a little scary, despite the equipment being as reliable as an indoor climbing wall."
Every step required maximum concentration, but the reward was stunning views of green valleys and distant mountain peaks. "It's not just contemplating the mountains," the Russian woman says. "You move with them, enjoying the mesmerizing panorama."
Such activities are not just a passing fad; they are part of China's growing low-altitude economy, which includes drones, airships, and sightseeing flights.
This is especially true in Yangshuo, where it breathes fresh air into an area long dominated by quiet and leisurely travel, offering unique views of some of the world's most famous natural wonders without compromising the environment.
For Sabina, the trip was a reminder of Guilin's enduring appeal. "There's no one right way to experience this wonder," she concluded. "Reach for the sky to appreciate its epic scale, float leisurely down the river, or conquer the peaks with your own two hands. In a rapidly changing world, this ancient landscape, seen from new heights, still holds secrets for those who seek." -0-
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