Latest news with #NationalTourismDay
Borneo Post
24-05-2025
- Borneo Post
China's aerial tourism the modern ‘journey to the west'
A drone photo taken on Nov 2, 2024 shows a view of the Maiji Mountain Grottoes in Maiji District of Tianshui City, northwest China's Gansu Province. – Xinhua photo LANZHOU (May 25): Instead of climbing thousands of steps to see the centuries-old Buddhist sculptures carved into the towering cliff face, visitors to the Maiji Mountain Grottoes in northwest China have a new thrilling option: boarding an aircraft and enjoying a spectacular view from high in the sky. The local scenic spot has launched an eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft programme since March, offering visitors an opportunity to soar at an altitude of 300 meters and enjoy a bird's-eye view of the 1,600-year-old grottoes. This aerial sightseeing service has infused heritage exploration with a futuristic vibe, giving visitors an unprecedented immersive experience. 'That should be the way we travel in the 21st century,' a web user commented on a WeChat post. This is just one of the latest examples of scenic spots in northwest China incorporating low-altitude technologies into tourism. As National Tourism Day is marked on May 19, low-altitude tourism is now under a spotlight as the country prioritises the orderly development of low-altitude sectors to stimulate consumption. Home to a wealth of stunning natural and cultural attractions spread across vast distances, the northwest region is full of unique opportunities. Unlike the southern and eastern parts of China, which are relatively flat and often obscured by fog and rain, this high-altitude inland region with abundant sunshine is filled with mountains and canyons, making it an ideal landscape for aerial sightseeing. For example, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region alone boasts a flight area of around 1.8 million square km, accounting for one-sixth of the country's total. There are more than 320 days of good flying weather each year. Deng Lili is one enthusiast. During the recent May Day holiday, she took a 25-minute helicopter ride from Shihezi City in northern Xinjiang, flying over some of the region's iconic landscapes, including the Tianshan Mountains and the Manas River Grand Canyon. 'It was gorgeous,' she recalled with exhilaration. 'Seeing the emerald rivers and winding red rocks from above was a truly fantastic experience.' An aerial photo taken on Aug 7, 2023 shows a view of Danxia landform at Danxia National Geological Park in Zhangye, northwest China's Gansu Province. – Xinhua photo In Gansu Province, sightseeing tours with aircraft and gliders over the Yellow River and alongside reservoirs have taken off over the past two years. Known for its Danxia landforms, or reddish sandstone and rocks, the Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot in Gansu is seeing more travelers trading traditional viewing strolls for the more thrilling experiences of helicopters and hot air balloons. Visitors like Wang Jiao, from Henan Province in central China, described her recent aerial adventure as a sensory delight. 'Flying above the multicolored ridges of weathered strata feels as if I could reach out and touch the vibrant hues with my fingertips.' According to the local tourism bureau, aerial tourism has evolved from a niche to sought-after choice, becoming a new growth driver in the industry. Behind the success of aerial tourism is a strategic effort to drive China's emerging low-altitude economy, which refers to activities within airspace below 1,000 meters. Since being highlighted in the nation's 2024 government work report as a 'new engine for economic growth', many provincial regions in the country's west have begun formulating plans to accelerate the development of low-altitude economy. For instance, Xinjiang aims to build a total of 98 general aviation airports by 2035, equating to around 5.9 airports for every 100,000 square km once completed. Data from the lifestyle app Xiaohongshu shows that topics related to drones in Xinjiang have garnered over 820,000 views, with many users sharing detailed tips on how to take picturesque drone photos. Some popular scenic areas have begun offering shared drone services and training for certified pilots. A pilot does flight training over Narat scenic spot in Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on March 5, 2025. – Xinhua photo Wei Xiang, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences who specialises in the tourism market, said China's low-altitude tourism features integration of advanced aerial technologies. Some cutting-edge flying vehicles, such as the 'Land Aircraft Carrier', a flying car developed by Chinese EV company Xpeng, have made local headlines by conducting high-temperature and high-altitude tests in Xinjiang and Qinghai. Meanwhile, aviation enterprises in Xinjiang are exploring the deployment of EHang's EH216-S autonomous eVTOL aircraft for scenic tourism applications. Wei attributed the advancements to China's strong manufacturing and innovation capabilities. 'China has an extremely comprehensive supply chain and system in the manufacturing sector, which accounts for the richness of low-altitude vehicles,' Wei said. Wei also calls for simplified airspace regulations, accelerated infrastructure development and enhanced talent cultivation to drive better development in this area. – Xinhua aerial tourism China Maiji Mountain Xinhua
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Yahoo
Planning to fly soon? Here's how to make sure your Florida driver's license is Real ID compliant
May 7, 2025. Remember the date. Yes, it's National Tourism Day, which is appropriate since it's also the deadline to have a Real ID if you plan to fly anywhere. Yes, that includes flying inside the United States. It's also Bike to School Day but you won't need a Real ID for that trip. Here's what you will need a Real ID for and how you can get it. It used to be easier to get a driver's license in some states than in others. After 9/11, Congress passed the Real ID Act in 2005, which established minimum security standards for getting a driver's license anywhere in the U.S. Florida began issuing Real ID-compliant cards in January 2010. If you intend to board a commercial airplane, you'll need to have a Real ID driver's license, state identification card or passport by May 7, 2025, to get through the TSA checkpoint. Starting May 7, 2025, anyone 18 and older who plans to take a domestic flight will need a Real ID-compliant driver's license or identification card, state-issued enhanced driver's license, or another TSA-acceptable form of identification at airport security checkpoints. Every state resident in the U.S. must have a Real ID-compliant driver's license or identification card — or valid passport — to board a commercial aircraft within the U.S. starting May 7. Without a Real ID — or acceptable alternative — travelers will not be permitted through the security checkpoint. According to Homeland Security, travelers without their approved IDs can expect to face "delays, additional screening and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint," even if you're a TSA PreCheck passenger. If you don't have a Real ID, you'll need: A REAL ID-compliant identification card. A valid passport or passport card. Real ID cards in Florida are issued to first-time and renewing customers at a local driver's license service centers or tax collector offices. You must visit an office in person to get a Real ID the first time, according to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Since January 2020, those in Florida without a Real ID license have not been able to renew their licenses online through the MyDMV Portal. If your card is not Real ID-compliant and you aren't up for renewal before May 7, 2025, make an appointment to get a new card. Locations can be found here. A Class E license can be renewed up to 18 months prior to its expiration date. No. The TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling with a companion within the United States. However, the person traveling with the child will need acceptable identification, according to the Department of Homeland Security. To get a Real ID, you'll need to bring original copies of documents to prove your identity, legal residence, Social Security status and date of birth. For U.S. citizens, you'll need to bring one of the primary documents listed below: Valid, unexpired U.S. passport Original or certified copy of a birth certificate Consular report of birth abroad Certificate of naturalization issued by DHS Certificate of citizenship If your name has changed from the one on your primary identity document, you should also bring: Court-ordered name change document Marriage certificate, issued by the courts, and/or Divorce decree, issued by the courts In all cases, the document must show a clear trail of name changes originating with the birth name to the current name. Non-citizens will need to bring: Valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card – I-551 for Lawful Permanent Residents Valid passport for non-immigrants except for asylum applicants and refugees Other government-issued document showing your full name Department of Homeland Security document showing proof of lawful presence If your name has changed by marriage/divorce, you must have your name changed on your Citizen and Immigration Services documents. Both citizens and non-citizens will need to bring: Your Social Security Card or proof of your Social Security number. You can find a list of documents that provide proof of your Social Security number on the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle's What to Bring page. Two documents that show your principle residence. Once your identity and legal status have been verified, a driver's license or identification card will be issued within 60 days and mailed to the address on the driver's record. In Florida, a Real ID card has a gold circle with a white star in the top right corner of your driver's license or state identification card. If the star is there, it's Real ID compliant. If you've received a new or renewed Florida driver's license or ID since January 2010, you should be good to go but check the upper right corner of your card for the star. The fee for an initial Florida Class E license (including learner's permit) is $48 and a commercial driver's license (Class A) license is $75. The fee for a state ID card is $25. Most local tax collector offices also charge a $6.25 service fee. No. Real ID cards cannot be used for border crossings or international travel. If you're traveling internationally, you still need a passport. If the star is there, it's Real ID compliant. Don't count on the Real ID deadline to be extended. It's already been extended at least twice because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Contributor: C.A. Bridges, USA Today Network-Florida This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida Real ID: What to know, make sure your license valid
