Hanzhong Launches Aerial Tourism with EHang's Autonomous Aircraft EH216-S

Hanzhong has made aviation history by becoming the first city in southern Shaanxi Province to launch autonomous aerial tourism operations, marking a significant milestone in China’s expanding low-altitude economy. On October 1, 2025, the city officially began test flights using EHang’s EH216-S pilotless aircraft, establishing what officials describe as a groundbreaking integration of culture, tourism, and aviation technology.

EHang EH216-S Specifications and Economics

The EH216-S aircraft conducting these flights represents a remarkable achievement in autonomous aviation technology. This two-passenger, fully electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft operates entirely without a pilot, relying instead on sophisticated autonomous flight systems and ground-based command centers for operation. With its 16 propellers arranged in eight arms, the aircraft can carry passengers up to 35 kilometers on a single charge, reaching cruising speeds of 130 kilometers per hour.

The aircraft’s specifications align perfectly with the demands of low-altitude cultural tourism. The EH216-S operates at altitudes typically below 1,000 meters, providing passengers with optimal viewing perspectives of Hanzhong’s cultural landmarks while maintaining the safety parameters required by China’s Civil Aviation Administration. The aircraft’s maximum payload of 220 kilograms accommodates two passengers comfortably for sightseeing flights that typically last between three and ten minutes.

The economics of EHang’s operations present an intriguing contrast to Western urban air mobility ventures. While the company’s suggested retail price of RMB 2.39 million ($330,000) in China positions the EH216-S significantly below competitors like Lilium’s $7-10 million Pioneer Edition or Archer’s projected $2-2.5 million Midnight aircraft, the operational model focuses on high-frequency, short-duration flights rather than point-to-point transportation.

This pricing strategy reflects China’s broader approach to developing its low-altitude economy, where government support and regulatory frameworks prioritize rapid deployment and market development over immediate profitability. The Civil Aviation Administration of China projects the low-altitude economy will reach 1.5 trillion yuan ($209.9 billion) by 2025, with tourism representing a significant component of this growth.

Operational Validation Through Comprehensive Testing

The timing of this launch carries special significance, coinciding with China’s National Day and representing the culmination of months of preparation and regulatory approvals. The operation, managed by the newly established Hanzhong Qihang Low-altitude Operation Management Company, transforms Hanzhong from a traditional cultural tourism destination into a pioneer of aerial sightseeing experiences.

What sets Hanzhong’s operation apart from other aerial tourism ventures across China is its focus on comprehensive operational validation rather than mere demonstration flights. According to official reports, these test flights serve as “a comprehensive, practical verification of route safety, landscape suitability, and operational feasibility,” establishing standardized procedures for regular commercial operations.

Regulatory Framework and Safety Standards

Hanzhong’s operations benefit from China’s progressive regulatory approach to autonomous aircraft. Unlike many Western jurisdictions still grappling with pilotless passenger flights, China approved EHang for commercial human-carrying operations in March 2025, making it the world’s first company to obtain all four key regulatory certifications: type certificate, production certificate, standard airworthiness certificate, and air operator certificate.

The regulatory framework requires operators to conduct flights only during daytime in clear weather conditions, maintain visual line-of-sight operations, and limit altitude to 120 meters for initial operations. These restrictions, while seemingly limiting, actually align well with the requirements of scenic tourism flights, where visibility and passenger experience take precedence over operational flexibility.

Cultural Tourism Integration

Hanzhong’s venture into aerial tourism builds upon the city’s established position as a cultural destination. Located in Shaanxi Province, the region benefits from its association with Han dynasty heritage, as evidenced by attractions like the Xinghan Scenic Area and the Cultural Industry Park. The city features numerous historical sites, including the palace ruins of Han emperor Liu Bang, now housed in the Hanzhong Museum, and the renowned Shimen Plank Road Scenic Area.

The integration of aerial tourism with existing cultural attractions follows a model that has already proven successful in other Chinese cities. Wencheng County in Zhejiang Province has deployed 27 EH216-S aircraft for similar cultural tourism applications, creating aerial sightseeing routes over scenic attractions such as Tianding Lake and Baizhangji Falls. Taiyuan in Shanxi Province has similarly launched eVTOL operations at Paddy Field Park, demonstrating the scalability of this tourism model.

China’s Low-Altitude Economy Leadership

The broader context of China’s low-altitude economy development suggests Hanzhong’s initiative represents just the beginning of a much larger industry shift. Nearly 30 provincial and municipal governments have integrated low-altitude economy development into their local planning documents, with cities like Shenzhen already operating over 780,000 commercial drone sorties across 203 active routes.

China has established itself as the undisputed global leader in developing its low-altitude economy, with unprecedented government support and a rapidly maturing ecosystem of companies. The market reached 505.95 billion yuan in 2023 and is projected to hit 1.5 trillion yuan by 2025, with expectations of reaching 3.5 trillion yuan by 2035.

Operational Challenges and Market Demand

The success of Hanzhong’s aerial tourism venture will depend significantly on factors beyond the aircraft’s technical capabilities. Weather dependency represents a primary operational constraint, as current regulations restrict flights to clear weather conditions. This limitation could impact service reliability during Hanzhong’s monsoon season and winter months when visibility frequently deteriorates.

Passenger demand represents another critical factor. While China’s domestic tourism market generated over 677 billion yuan during the 2025 Spring Festival holiday alone, with 501 million domestic tourist trips, aerial tourism remains a premium experience requiring careful market positioning. The success of similar operations in cities like Guangzhou and Hefei, where tickets are sold directly through operator channels rather than traditional tourism platforms, suggests demand