Drone Delivery Takes Flight at Great Wall: Meituan Brings Future to China’s Ancient Wonder
Staff Editor Drone Delivery Service Launches at Great Wall of China
Tourists visiting the iconic Great Wall of China can now enjoy a unique blend of ancient history and modern technology. Food delivery giant Meituan has announced the launch of a drone delivery service at the Badaling section of the Great Wall in Beijing, allowing visitors to order food, drinks, and even medical supplies directly to their location.
The service, unveiled on August 16, offers a delivery fee of just 56 cents, comparable to Meituan’s standard road delivery charges. Hikers can easily place orders by scanning a code near the Badaling section, with options ranging from sandwiches and ice cream to sun umbrellas and emergency medication.
Meituan claims that items can reach customers within five minutes, thanks to drones operating from a nearby hotel rooftop to a designated watchtower on the Great Wall. This innovative approach not only enhances visitor experience but also showcases China’s rapidly growing “low-altitude economy.”
The Great Wall delivery service is part of a broader trend in China’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sector. Just days before Meituan’s announcement, China tested its largest unmanned cargo aircraft in Sichuan province. With a wingspan of 52.8 feet and a payload capacity of 4,400 pounds, this development further underscores the country’s commitment to advancing its aerial capabilities.
China’s air regulator predicts that the “low-altitude economy,” which encompasses economic activities up to 0.6 miles above the earth’s surface, could be worth $279 billion by 2030. This growth is primarily driven by UAVs like delivery drones and commercial air taxis. As of June, China boasted 1.87 million registered unmanned aerial vehicles, highlighting the sector’s rapid expansion.
Other notable developments in this field include Phoenix Wings’ launch of a commercial cargo drone route between Shenzhen and Zhongshan in April. Covering a 43-mile stretch, this service costs $5.60 per order and reduces delivery time by nearly an hour, completing deliveries within 45 minutes.
As China continues to invest in and develop its low-altitude economy, services like Meituan’s Great Wall drone delivery are likely to become increasingly common, merging convenience with technological innovation across various sectors of the economy.
