Adviser promotes low-altitude sports parks

For Fan Xiaohui, a paragliding enthusiast with over a decade of experience, the skies of Guizhou province have played a major role in her life journey — from a hobbyist soaring among the clouds to a political adviser advocating for the province's low-altitude sports industry.

The 51-year-old, known as the "Bird Lady" in paragliding circles, began her journey in 2008 and has since devoted herself to promoting low-altitude sports.

With the 2025 legislative session kicking off on Saturday, Fan, a member of the Guizhou Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, has submitted a proposal titled "Building High-Quality Low-Altitude Sports Theme Parks in Guizhou".

"This year, my focus is combining low-altitude sports with Guizhou's tourism industry," she said. "I envision a specialized low-altitude sports park in Guizhou, offering experiences in hot air balloons, paragliding and light aircraft, along with training and educational programs."

The rugged karst landscapes of southwestern China's Guizhou create ideal conditions for low-altitude sports.

"Of the world's top 100 highest bridges, 49 are in Guizhou, including four of the top 10," Fan said. "This is a unique advantage in China."

One of her favorite spots is the Beipanjiang Bridge, a massive structure spanning a deep gorge.

"As I dive, the towering cliffs rise like a fortress on either side, and the roaring river below feels alive with power," she said, describing her awe of the natural beauty.

In September, 30 athletes from 18 countries, including Germany and the United States, gathered at Guizhou's Baling River Bridge, leaping from its 370-meter height to parachute into the sky. Fan herself organized the international extreme sports event.

"The athletes were thrilled," she said. "They usually jump from mountains or buildings, but in Guizhou, they had the rare chance to jump from some of the world's highest-ranked bridges."

However, Fan noted that many bridges remain closed to such activities outside special events. "It's a missed opportunity, given Guizhou's exceptional conditions for skydiving," she said.

Fan aims to make low-altitude sports accessible to all, but she also emphasized the importance of safety measures and professional training to address risks.

"We need to ensure everyone can experience these sports with confidence," she said.

Last year, Fan became the vice-president of the newly established Guizhou Low-Altitude Sports Association. She now leads efforts to popularize low-altitude sports.

Liu Boqian contributed to this story.

yangjun@chinadaily.com.cn