Hot air balloon carnival launches in Zhangye

The 5th Hot Air Balloon Carnival of Zhangye Colorful Danxia started at Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot on July 29. Forty balloonists from across the country will conduct six flight sessions over three days. Activities include Yugur ethnic dances, low-temperature fireworks, and a display by 500 drones.

Hot air balloons at the carnival in the Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot in Zhangye, Gansu province. [Photo provided to gozhangye.com]

These events increase interactivity while highlighting intangible cultural heritage. Performances feature the reunion of classical literary characters, and 12 flower goddesses present captivating dances. Performers dressed as popular animation characters engage visitors throughout the scenic spot. Energetic lion dances and vibrant Yugur folk songs showcase local ethnic traditions with distinctive Zhangye and Gansu cultural elements.

A tourist from Dalian, Liaoning province in Northeast China said she was profoundly impressed after experiencing the Danxia landforms firsthand, having previously only seen them in geography textbooks.

Tourists enjoy the hot air balloon carnival in the Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot in Zhangye, Gansu province. [Photo provided to gozhangye.com] 

Currently, the Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot holds dual status as a UNESCO Global Geopark and China's national 5A-level tourist attraction. Additionally, the Zhangye Colorful Hills were inscribed on UNESCO's World Natural Heritage Tentative List in June 2023. 

Moving forward, the scenic spot will leverage this carnival to closely monitor market trends and industry developments. It will continuously optimize tourism services and enrich cultural offerings, aiming to establish Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot as a domestically first-class and internationally renowned destination, in order to promote the scenic spot globally and invite worldwide visitors to experience the unique cultural and natural heritage of Zhangye.