From October 15th to 19th, the 2025 National Hot Air Balloon Elite Competition was held in Jintang County, Sichuan Province. The competition brought together 30 teams from across the country. The colorful hot air balloons, set against the backdrop of thousands of acres of orange groves and traditional Sichuan dwellings, created a unique and picturesque scene. The competition included more than 10 events, such as a waltz and a hare chase, with the core focus on flight precision. Participants competed by dropping virtual markers, and the distance between the landing point and the center of the target was the primary scoring criterion.
The pilots explained that hot air balloons are unpowered and cannot turn horizontally; they rely on wind direction and speed at different altitudes to correct their course. The frequent ascents and descents are actually the pilots adjusting their flight strategies. This competition not only provided a platform for pilots nationwide to compete and exchange ideas, but also showcased the vitality of Jintang County's low-altitude economy through a "low-altitude + cultural tourism" model.
