Wuyi county in Jinhua, Zhejiang province announced it would host the 2024 National Hot Air Balloon Open at a press conference held on Aug 1. The competition will take place from Oct 28 to Nov 3.

This event marks the first national hot air balloon competition in the Yangtze River Delta region.

The open will feature 30 hot air balloon teams, with 30 pilots, 30 flight assistants, and approximately 180 staff members, including ground crew, logistics personnel, and referees. The participating athletes were selected based on the national hot air balloon pilot rankings and 2023 registration, ensuring the top 30 athletes in the nation compete.

The competition area will be centered around the Dadoushan Flight Camp, within a 10-kilometer radius, including attractions like Huatianmeidi Scenic Area and the Dahongyan National Scenic Area.

Wuyi aims to use this event to promote tourism routes featuring hot balloons and hot springs to showcase local cuisine and scenic beauty, boosting cultural and tourism consumption through sports events.

In recent years, Wuyi county has leveraged its natural ecological resources to develop the sports and leisure industry. The county has hosted major events such as the National Powered Paragliding Championship, National Paramotor Championship, and the 6th Zhejiang Sports and Leisure Tourism Festival.