East China set to offer aquatic helicopter tours

The cities of Hangzhou and Zhoushan in Zhejiang province plan to launch helicopter tourism projects this summer.

[Cities of Hangzhou and Zhoushan in Zhejiang province plan to launch helicopter tourism projects this summer.Photo from xinhuanet.com]

The helicopter projects are set to benefit from loosened governance over low-level aerial activities in China by offering tourists a sightseeing experience over aquatic areas in the two cities.

[Qiandao Lake in Hangzhou has a water coverage of more than 500 square kilometers and is dotted with 1078 isles.Photo from xinhuanet.com]？

Qiandao Lake in Hangzhou has a water coverage of more than 500 square kilometers and is dotted with 1078 isles. While Zhoushan city, directly under the Zhejiang provincial administration, is a constitution of islands close to the Yangtze River estuary with rich archaeological discoveries and Buddhist culture. These two unique areas are expected to be part of the fascination of the innovative tourism projects.

Hangzhou city's first low-level helicopter tour, called "aerial attractions", is scheduled to start this May in Qiandao Lake, after a trial flight successfully completed on March 29, 2015.

Two R44 Raven II helicopters, productions of the US-based Robinson Helicopter Co, are to be used for the tours by its operator Molahong, a local aviation company. The cabin is equipped with leather seats and air conditioners and has a passenger capacity of three people.

Flying at a height of 500 meters, the tour anticipates providing a widened perspective for passengers to see scenic sights and tourism attractions in the Qiandao Lake area.

[A R44 Raven II helicopter is shown to the press at the launching event of the Qiandao Lake helicopter tour. A model in？a bridal？dress poses in front of the helicopter.Photo from xinhuanet.com]

In the future, helicopters will also be used for taking wedding photos and videos, adding to the attraction of Qiandao Lake among new spouses.

Zhoushan's choice of aircraft for its new helicopter tours is the Caravan series products, manufactured by US-based Cessna Aircraft Company. The Caravan models are powered by turboprop engines and are geared to take off and touch down on both land and water. They will be used in four sightseeing tours.

The four circular sightseeing routes will cover 10 tourism destinations in the area,including the seat of Zhoushan city. Each route will last one hour or less.

The route package is expected to open in June 2015. Zhoushan's helicopter tourism market is currently occupied by Shanghai Kaijet General Aviation.

Kaijet offers low-level aerial rides in three routes within Zhoushan city's limits. Hovering above Mount Putuo - a renowned Buddhist site in China - for 12-15 minutes costs 1000 yuan ($161.13) per person. A 25-30 minutes tour circling Peach Blossom Island (Taohua Island) costs 2000 yuan per person. A flight over Dongji Island costs 3000 yuan per person and lasts for 40 minutes.