Paragliding athletes soar through the sky in Shengzhou on May 24. [Photo/Zhejiang Daily]

Shengzhou county-level city in Shaoxing has transformed into a popular site for paragliding enthusiasts, local media reported on May 24.

The inaugural Huangze Rural Cultural Tourism Fair and the opening ceremony of the paragliding training base were held in Jiaqing village, Huangze town.

Jiaqing village is located at the foot of the Siming Mountain and surrounded by vast open plains. Its exceptional geographical location and favorable climatic conditions make it suitable for low-altitude flying throughout the year. It has been leveraging its unique resources to develop distinct industries.

During the opening ceremony, Huangze town also unveiled four rural tourism routes themed on sports and leisure, agricultural tourism experiences, intangible cultural heritage, and local delicacies.

Taking full advantage of its cultural and ecological resources, the local area has introduced a paragliding training base, aiming to boost rural tourism by combining sports and tourism.

Paragliding originated in Europe in the early 1970s and was introduced to China in the late 1980s. Due to its thrilling nature, it has gradually become a popular sport among aviation enthusiasts. In 2018, paragliding was included in the Asian Games, further elevating and consolidating its status as a recognized sport in China.