Dancing 'in the air'

(chinadaily.com.cn) Updated: 2015-09-11 11:47

In today's trending, ballet dancers seem to take to the sky as they perform on a glass platform 280 meters above the Karst Valley in Wulong National Geological Park, a Chinese husband and wife are named the world's tallest married couple, the air force captain who led a helicopter formation in Beijing's Sept 3 parade honors his hometown with a special visit and senior citizens attend their very own dating fair in Shandong province.

A group of ballet dancers show their dance moves on the glassy platform at Wulong county, Southwest China's Chongqing municipality. [Photo/IC]

Ballet dancers challenge height

Five ballet dancers took to the stage on Asia's largest glass viewing platform in Southwest China's Chongqing Wulong county on Sunday, becoming some of the first tourists to board the arch bridge days before it's officially opened to the public during the October holiday.

One dancer, Zhou Qiaoqiao, 19, said she had never performed outdoors even though she has been practicing ballet for 13 years.

"They said diving and parachuting are called 'ballet in the air', and I have always wanted to have that kind of experience," Zhou said.

Zhou said she was afraid at first, feeling like she was hanging in the air, but as the dance went on, she felt as if she was flying. The beautiful scenery and the reflection of blue sky and white clouds on the glass created the illusion.

The hanging platform, which is 11 meters wide and 26 meters long, stands 280 meters above the Karst Valley in Wulong National Geological Park.

The see-through viewing deck sits a cool 1,200 meters above sea level and will provide adventurous tourists with a breath-taking panoramic view of the landscape under their feet.

Designed by more than 20 top-notch experts from home and abroad, the viewing platform is made from three layers of toughened glass. A single pane is able to bear a maximum weight of 10 tons.