Mechanical art installations and manned aerial vehicles in China are not only captivating tourists but also injecting fresh momentum into the cultural tourism boom.

  In Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, for instance, a large-scale mechanical art installation in the shape of Kui Niu -- a legendary creature from ancient Chinese mythology -- has become a new landmark.

   Measuring 21 meters long, six meters wide, and 10 meters high -- reaching up to 13 meters when rearing -- the mechanical Kui Niu is composed of hundreds of precisely engineered components. Each joint is fully articulated, allowing the structure to move with remarkable lifelikeness, capturing the powerful energy of a creature in motion.

   Elsewhere in the city, a giant mechanical bear called "Xiong Bei Bei" has made the city’s industrial relic Xiongdong Street popular again.

"The giant mechanical beast 'Xiong Bei Bei' participated in the urban renewal and cultural transformation of Dalian, revitalizing an area spanning 180,000 square meters. Xiongdong Street has attracted 1.63 million visitors," said Xiao Di, co-founder of Dalian Betop Culture Technology Company.

As one of the first national-level technology innovation centers recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Betop has developed a database featuring over 12,000 traditional patterns and 800 mythological characters based on classics like "Classic of Mountains and Seas" and "Investiture of the Gods." Currently, the research and development team is working on equipping these steel beasts with AI systems.

"The company will launch AI-powered giant mechanical devices that integrate multiple AI capabilities such as speech recognition, reasoning, memory, emotion analysis and output. Based on the conversations and emotional cues of visitors, these devices will respond with a wide range of micro-expressions, engaging in friendly and natural interactions with people," said Hu Yuan, another co-founder of Betop.

In Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, the world's first electric vertical take-off and landing manned flying saucer developed by Shenzhen Smart Drone UAV Co., Ltd., has completed its maiden flight. Constructed with composite materials like carbon fiber and aerospace-grade aluminum alloy for the fuselage, it features a six-axis twelve-propeller propulsion system, a 360-degree panoramic view capability, and the ability to take off and land directly on the water surface.

"The flying saucer will be primarily used for aerial sightseeing tourism, thereby creating additional value for the low-altitude economy with our characteristic products," said Jin Liang, founder of Shenzhen Smart Drone UAV Co., Ltd.