Aviation industry culture park opens in Harbin

Qihang Park, a new landmark of Harbin’s Pingfang district, was designed to showcase China’s aviation culture. It opened to the public on July 1.

The park is located at the intersection of Shuangyong Road and Xinjiang Avenue in Pingfang district. It covers an area of 3,754 square meters. Pingfang is the birthplace of China’s aviation industry.

The park was funded by AVIC Harbin Aircraft Industry Group Co, a research and manufacturing center for home-grown helicopters, general aircraft, and advanced composite material parts.

Places of interest in the park include industrial buildings constructed during the first Five-Year Plan period (1953-57), production lines for old aircraft, and other aircraft-related exhibitions.

Exhibits in Qihang Park highlight the HAMC Z-9/Harbin Z-9 aircraft, the first Chinese-built helicopter developed and manufactured by AVIC Harbin Aircraft Industry Group Co. It made its first flight in 1992.

The HAMC Z-9 is the best-selling series of helicopter models in China. It has been used in the National Day military parade, polar expeditions, and escorts in Aden Bay. There are now more than 30 models in the series.