China’s scenic spots are embracing cutting-edge technology to transform the tourist experience. From delivering essentials at the Great Wall to streamlining logistics in mountainous regions, drones are playing an increasingly significant role in enhancing convenience and efficiency at popular attractions.
Drone Deliveries at the Great Wall
At the Badaling Great Wall in Beijing, tourists can now order food, water, or even an umbrella directly to their location via drones operated by Meituan, one of China’s leading online service platforms. What once required a 50-minute trek now takes only a few minutes. These drones not only deliver goods but also take garbage away on their return journeys, adding an eco-friendly aspect to their service.
Revolutionizing Theme Park Takeout
In Shenzhen’s theme parks, such as Window of the World and Happy Valley, drones have transformed takeout delivery. Tourists can order Starbucks coffee or fast food without leaving the park, thanks to a drone delivery route that connects a nearby shopping center to a designated landing point inside the park. This innovation has significantly reduced delivery times and boosted sales volumes for restaurants.
Solving Logistical Challenges in Huangshan
At Huangshan Mountain, drones have addressed the challenge of transporting goods in a rugged environment. DJI, a Shenzhen-based drone manufacturer, has implemented a 3.2-kilometer drone route to transport up to 20 metric tons of materials daily during peak tourism seasons. This technology has replaced manual labor, alleviating capacity bottlenecks and ensuring the efficient delivery of fresh supplies and waste removal.
Between May last year and January this year, drones at Huangshan completed over 12,500 trips, transporting 253 tons of goods. This has set a precedent for using drones in other mountainous regions to streamline logistics and support tourism growth.
Impact on Tourism
The integration of drones has not only improved operational efficiency but also enhanced the overall tourist experience. Huangshan, for instance, has welcomed nearly 83 million visitors in the first 10 months of this year, generating over $10 billion in revenue—a testament to how technology is driving the recovery and growth of domestic tourism post-pandemic.
A Future Shaped by Drone Technology
Zhang Xiaonan, senior corporate strategy director of DJI, highlighted the potential of the low-altitude economy. “The application of drones in life service scenarios will have a long-term impact on consumers,” Zhang said, forecasting a future filled with innovative drone-powered services.
With attractions like Huangshan introducing drone transport, low-altitude tourism, and unique cultural events, China is setting a benchmark for leveraging technology to enhance tourism.
