Tourists scaling the Great Wall of China can now experience a new level of convenience as they explore one of the world’s most iconic landmarks. Thanks to a recent innovation by Chinese food delivery giant Meituan, visitors can have their meals, drinks, and essential supplies delivered directly to them by drone. This cutting-edge service, launched last week, is not only a first for Beijing but also a significant step forward in China’s rapidly expanding drone delivery industry.
The new drone service targets a remote section of the Great Wall near Beijing, specifically a southern extension of the Badaling area. This section of the Great Wall, known for its rugged terrain and historical significance, has no commercial facilities and can be challenging for visitors, especially during the sweltering summer months. The drones, which can operate in moderate wind and rain conditions, are designed to make deliveries much faster and easier, reducing what would be a 50-minute trek on foot to just five minutes by air.
Meituan’s drone delivery service is not only limited to food and drinks but also includes emergency supplies like medical items. Each drone can carry up to 2.3 kilograms (about 5 pounds) per trip, making it an efficient solution for tourists in need of quick relief. The delivery service is available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, with a delivery fee of just 4 yuan (56 cents), the same as regular Meituan deliveries in urban areas. After the service hours, these drones also contribute to maintaining the cleanliness of the area by transporting trash to nearby recycling stations.
The process of drone delivery is meticulously organized. Once an order is placed, a Meituan worker collects the items from a nearby store and brings them to a designated hotel rooftop. Here, the items are weighed and carefully packaged before being attached to a drone. The drone, operating on autopilot, then flies the package to a watchtower on the Great Wall, where another worker is stationed to receive the delivery. Tourists can easily pick up their orders from this point, ensuring a seamless and convenient experience.
Meituan’s initiative is a significant addition to China’s rapidly growing drone delivery landscape. The country, which is the world’s largest manufacturer and exporter of civilian consumer drones, has seen a substantial increase in the use of drones for various logistical purposes. This trend began in earnest in 2016 when e-commerce giant JD.com launched the first trial of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for deliveries in rural areas. These drones, capable of carrying up to 15 kilograms over a distance of 20 kilometers (about 12 miles), dramatically reduced delivery times in remote regions from four hours by car to just under 20 minutes.
The success of rural drone deliveries has paved the way for their use in urban settings as well. Meituan completed its first drone delivery in 2021 in Shenzhen, a southern tech hub in China. Since then, the company has expanded its drone delivery network to more than 30 routes across multiple cities, including the financial hub of Shanghai. To date, these drones have handled over 300,000 orders, demonstrating the viability and efficiency of drone deliveries in both rural and metropolitan areas.
In urban areas, Meituan’s drones navigate through densely populated spaces by following predetermined routes from launch sites, typically located on rooftops, to designated pick-up points. Instead of delivering directly to apartment windows or office buildings, the drones drop off packages at nearby kiosks where customers can easily retrieve their orders. This method has also been adapted for public parks in cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen, further expanding the reach of drone deliveries.
The rapid expansion of drone delivery services in China aligns with the government’s push to develop the “low-altitude economy,” a sector focusing on businesses that utilize aerial vehicles below an altitude of 1,000 meters (3,281 feet). Recognized as a new growth engine for the Chinese economy, this initiative has gained prominence in the central government’s work report and is expected to drive further innovations in the field of unmanned aerial technology.
With Meituan’s drone service now enhancing the experience for visitors at the Great Wall of China, the integration of advanced technology into everyday life continues to reshape how people interact with historical landmarks and navigate the challenges of remote travel. As drone deliveries become more widespread, the convenience they offer is likely to make them an indispensable part of the tourist experience in China and beyond.
