IT will soon be possible to view the sunrise on Taishan Mountain, visit the Confucius Temple in Qufu, see the Eight Immortals in Penglai and enjoy seafood back in Qingdao in one day. By helicopter, yes.

    Qingdao is planning to build an airport for helicopters. Upon completion in 2012, the 100-million-yuan airport will effectively enhance the aviation industry chain and lay solid a foundation for Qingdao’s sea and air tourism, the Qingdao government said.

    The airport would be an important facility to boost Qingdao’s cruise liner economy, said Jia Yongfeng, vice general manager of Qingdao Chengtou Tourism Group.

    Each year, international cruise liners stop in Qingdao and with the helicopter airport, Qingdao’s sea and air tourism will be able to attract passengers on the liners to spend more time in Qingdao, Jia said.

    Visitors in Qingdao will be able to go to Taishan Moutain, Qufu and Penglai in one hour by helicpoter and visit the popular attractions in those places in one day, he said. (Jane Lai)