As a new form of sightseeing, hot-air ballooning is sprouting up in various tourist destinations in China. Many people are mustering up the courage to experience this new style of touring. Sitting in a basket suspended beneath a balloon—which could be small, with only three or four people, or large enough for a dozen people—and rising up hundreds of meters into the sky, passengers can look over the landscape below. It is definitely a fresh experience for people who are used to enjoying views on the ground.

Enjoying scenery by hot-air balloon is a special and unique experience for tourists (WEI YAO)

Hot-air ballooning has become a common type of sightseeing trip worldwide and a must-have experience for tourists in Turkey, Egypt, Australia and other countries. The activity has also emerged in China in the last decade.

A pilot heads to a landing balloon. Choosing a landing place is an art. Ground that is both flat and open is best. Sometimes, it is difficult to find an appropriate landing spot( WEI YAO)

The progenitor of today's hot-air balloons dates back to the Five Dynasties era 1,100 years ago. The Kongming lantern, a small hot-air balloon made of paper, has been traditionally made for centuries. Due to this similarity, many Chinese people feel that hot-air balloons are familiar. The modern hot-air balloon was introduced to China after the nation began its reform and opening up process, first appearing in Beijing during the 1990s. But in recent decades, hot-air balloons have found their way to more and more regions, as their usefulness in sports, entertainment, tourism and advertising have been discovered.

Copyedited by Chris Surtees

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