(Yicai) Sept. 23 -- The Chinese city of Dunhuang is teaming up with low-altitude manned aircraft manufacturer GOVY Technology to integrate low-altitude transportation into tourism offerings in the municipality, which lies in the northwest of the country and is famed for its location along the ancient Silk Road and its Mogao Cave murals.

The tie-up will cover a range of applications, including shuttle services, scenic-area sightseeing and cultural performances, Dunhuang authorities said at the signing ceremony yesterday. In the initial phase, standardized low-altitude sightseeing experiences will be built at major Dunhuang attractions such as Crescent Spring, Yumenguan Pass and the Yardang National Geopark. The city plans to eventually establish a low-altitude transportation loop connecting major scenic spots with the urban area.

Cultural tourism is emerging as one of the most promising entry points for low-altitude services, as it offers clear opportunities for paid services and direct public engagement, said Su Qingpeng, founder of Guangzhou-based GOVY. China’s low-altitude tourism market was worth nearly CNY40 billion (USD6 billion) last year and is expected to exceed USD200 billion by 2030, he added.

In the first half, China’s low-altitude cultural tourism sector recorded over 12 million flights, more than double the figure for the same period last year, Su added.

GOVY was originally the flying-car research and development division of state-owned automaker GAC Group before being spun off as an independently operated company at the end of 2024. GOVY AirCab, its two-seat electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, is expected to receive its airworthiness certification and start mass production and deliveries by the end of this year.

Dunhuang boasts several advantages for developing low-altitude tourism, a local official said. There are around 26,000 square kilometers of airspace below 300 meters that are suitable for flying, which is 97 percent of the city’s area. The metropolis has more than 300 days of suitable flying conditions each year. Dunhuang also receives 24 million tourists and holds hundreds of major events a year, providing favorable conditions for developing new tourism offerings.

The two parties will also collaborate on cultural and creative products. This will include incorporating imagery from Dunhuang’s famous Flying Apsaras murals and elements of Silk Road culture into the exterior designs of flying cars and sightseeing routes, as well as jointly developing themed cultural and creative products. The aim is to create an integrated business model combining flight experiences with cultural consumption.

Editors: Dou Shicong, Kim Taylor