logo
Wingsuit flying, kitesurfing and other daring adventures in Asia

Wingsuit flying, kitesurfing and other daring adventures in Asia

Sometimes described as the closest humans come to true flight, Wingsuit flying is not for the faint-hearted, and to enrol in a training course a novice must already be an accomplished skydiver. Wearing fabric wings stretched between their arms and legs, these thrill-seekers steer with subtle shifts in body position like dive-bombing flying squirrels. One of the most dramatic locations in which the activity takes place is
Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park , in Zhangjiajie, Hunan province. Its near-vertical cliffs and the Tianmen Cave, a massive natural arch, create a GoPro-ready setting for daring descents. The
World Wingsuit League holds annual championships here (usually in September), with athletes launching from helicopters and threading through narrow valleys at speeds of up to 200km/h. Combining cinematic scenery with extreme risk, Tianmen Mountain is considered one of the ultimate challenges, and dedicated viewing areas are set up for spectators when competitions take place.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

John Lee vows to make Hong Kong ‘preferred destination' after 12% surge in tourists
John Lee vows to make Hong Kong ‘preferred destination' after 12% surge in tourists

South China Morning Post

time8 hours ago

  • South China Morning Post

John Lee vows to make Hong Kong ‘preferred destination' after 12% surge in tourists

Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu has pledged to adopt innovative thinking to make the city a 'preferred travel destination', following a 12 per cent increase in tourist arrivals during the first half of the year. Latest figures by the Hong Kong Tourism Board showed that the city welcomed about 3.48 million visitors in June, bringing the total number from January to June to more than 23.6 million, a 12 per cent year-on-year increase. Three-quarters of the arrivals, or 17.8 million, came from mainland China. The board said on Saturday that about 5.84 million visitors arrived from the rest of the world, marking a 17 per cent increase compared with the same period last year. 'Visitors from most short-haul markets, including Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines, increased by at least 25 per cent year on year,' it said. 'Among long-haul markets, Australia recorded a notable growth of 33 per cent year on year.' In a Facebook post, Lee attributed the tourism boom partly to a string of arts, cultural and sports mega-events. He also pointed to the opening of Kai Tak Sports Park, the city's newest hub for world-class concerts and sporting events.

Hong Kong officials to discuss adjusting basketball betting limits with Jockey Club
Hong Kong officials to discuss adjusting basketball betting limits with Jockey Club

South China Morning Post

time12 hours ago

  • South China Morning Post

Hong Kong officials to discuss adjusting basketball betting limits with Jockey Club

Hong Kong authorities are planning to engage the Jockey Club for discussions on adjusting the maximum betting limits for basketball to provide a regulated channel for such activities, as the government moves to legalise wagering for the sport. Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen said on Saturday that lawmakers previously suggested the government review the maximum wagers for basketball as they scrutinised the Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2025. She said the Jockey Club, which is set to become the sole licensed basketball betting operator, currently had limited wagers for legal offerings for other sports. Horse racing and football bets are capped at HK$50,000 (US$6,370) per individual wager. Each betting account has a daily total stake limit of HK$500,000. 'The bill provides a legal framework under which the home and youth affairs chief is empowered to issue licences for betting activities. When these licences are issued, licensing conditions can be included,' she told a radio programme. 'We will later discuss with the Jockey Club to assess the technical feasibility and how to handle it so that we can provide a regulated and limited channel for betting, and the public will engage in controlled gambling.'

Hong Kong's Oliver Xu and Ma Kong-san drafted into Chinese Basketball Association league
Hong Kong's Oliver Xu and Ma Kong-san drafted into Chinese Basketball Association league

South China Morning Post

time12 hours ago

  • South China Morning Post

Hong Kong's Oliver Xu and Ma Kong-san drafted into Chinese Basketball Association league

Hong Kong basketball players Oliver Xu and Ma Kong-san have found their way into the Chinese Basketball Association league after both were selected at the CBA Draft on Saturday. Xu, 29, was selected by Nanjing Monkey Kings with the No 9 pick in the opening round, while Ma, 24, was picked up by Sichuan Blue Whales in the second round, with the overall No 22 pick. Nanjing and Sichuan finished 12th and 19th, respectively, in the 20-team league last season. The 1.90-metre (6 feet 2 inches) Xu, who plays as a guard, joined the Japanese 3 side Iwate Big Bulls at the start of the year, averaging 10.6 minutes, 4.0 points, and 1.6 rebounds in 26 matches. The Hong Kong international went to the United States in July to feature in the Drew League – a pro-am basketball league held every summer in Los Angeles, California – and did not return to Qingdao for the draft. This year's Chinese Basketball Association Draft was held in Qingdao. Photo: Handout Ma, who had played professionally in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan previously, had spent the past two seasons with local A1 Division side Shung Tak Eagles. He was at the Guoxin Gymnasium for the draft and the 2.08m centre went onto the stage to put on a Sichuan cap after his name was called.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store