Here are the must-see islands and beaches to experience helicopter island hopping in China

And why island hoping is best done with a helicopter.

Why you should island-hop by helicopter

Island hopping is simply traveling between islands all in one trip, from island A to island B, then onto island C or more! Typically this is done by hiring a boat which is traditionally the most accessible, but this can be quite consuming and you may still have to hike to your destination.

Helicopters, on the other hand, can get you closer to your destination on the island, save time, and it comes with the best views! This means more time to spend on each island, or visiting more islands within the same day. This is also a great way to explore islands for those who are prone to seasickness. Not to mention, the aerial views you get from a helicopter gives you a full view of the entire sea, island and the birds-eye view and stunning photo-ops that will make your friends jealous! With all these benefits, the best way to do island hopping is with helicopters.

There are so many gorgeous islands surrounding the China sea such as Shengsi Island, Shengshan and Gouqi Island, the Flower and Bird Island, and Donji Island.

Shengsi Islands (Sijiao Mountain)

The Sijiao Scenic Area is made up of the main island of Sijao, Huanglong Island, Majishan and surrounding islands, as well the enclaves of Baijie Mountain and Banbian Mountain. This gorgeous area is characterised by long stretches of golden sand. Si Jiao is one of the only places home to so many high quality beaches -14 beaches to be exact!

The most famous are the Jihu and Nanchangtu beach, home to rare large-scale sea and sand baths in China. These are ideal spots for discreet sunbathing, relaxing and for open water activities!

Shengshan Island and Gouqi Island

Shengshan and Gouqi Island are two islands connected by a bridge. This eastern island of the Shengsi Islands is known for its vast beach, mountain scenery and it’s gorgeous shores. The main attraction of ShengShan Island are the naturally formed cliffs of the East Cliff, its uninhabited village and the Xiyang bay.

Known as “Little Greece of China”, Gouqi Island is located in the eastern parts of the Shengsi Islands, the second largest island in the area right after Si Jiao. Residing close to Zhoushan and Shanghai, it is home to the wolfberry beach on the eastern end of the island. There are several gorgeous scenic spots such as Xiaoxitian Mountain, Sea wonders monument, Tiger Stone, the Jiao Long delta, and much more!

The Shengshan fishing grounds comes with an endless view of the blue sea and sky, with ten thousand boats going out and returning to the port in the morning and sunset. Each morning and night, offering sightings of fishing boats, which looks like a floating forest on the sea.

Flower and Bird Island

Located in the northernmost part of Shengsi Islands in Zhoushan city, Zhejian Province, is the Flower and Bird Island. The island's name comes from it’s seagull-like shape, as well as the abundance of vibrant flowers, grass, and lush forests.

It is also known for the clouds and mists that come and go throughout the year giving it a mystic aura to the island. The main attractions of the island is the Flower and Bird lighthouse, the fluorescent sea and bergamot stone found on the island

The famous lighthouse was built in 1870, which is still considered the second tallest lighthouse in Asia at 17 meters in height! The Flower and Bird Lighthouse has been illuminating the sea for passing ships for over one hundred years.

Dongji Island

Dongji Island was made popular in China from the movie “The Continent” (Hou Hui Wu Qi) which was filmed on the island capturing its calm small town seaside scenic surroundings. In Fact the name of the island was adopted from the novel-inspired movie, as it became so popular amongst the masses.

Dongji Town is surrounded by 28 islands and 108 diversified reef formations scattered in the East China sea. This entire area is commonly referred to as the Dongji Archipelago. Known for its tranquility, there aren’t many people or noisy crowds in the city, and with no commercialised streets, it has become a place where visitors come to enjoy the vast oceanic sea views and sounds of the ocean.

We hope you enjoyed our blog on Island hopping in China. If you’re looking for inspiration for private aviation travels, the ones that your friends and family would be jealous of check out our other blogs on how you can in style here: https://www.flight.yugoplus.com/yugo-media

Raise your yoga game with heli-yoga - SouthEast Asian Edition

Before you question the feasibility of "heli-yoga", hear us out - it's NOT about practicing yoga on a helicopter, nor does it mean jumping off a helicopter in yoga position (that would be too extreme isn't it?). Heli-yoga is a new trend set by Reid Helicopters and Kokoro Studio in New Zealand, where guests are taken by helicopter to secluded places to practice yoga.

Image Credit: Delicious.Travel

In the 2-hour adventure hosted by the helicopter operator and yoga studio in New Zealand, guests will first be taken to Kahurangi National Park in Nelson by helicopter. Guests will meet their yoga instructor of the day there for a series of mindful stretches.

After the warm-up, guests will then fly to the South Island’s north-west coastline and land on a private beach for a holistic - and genuinely private - yoga session. Just as you feel your mind fulfilled but stomach empty, don't worry, the experience also includes a gourmet picnic lunch on the beach to help you truly regain momentum.

How about adapting heli-yoga experience in the SouthEast Asian context?

Most people put an equal sign to India and yoga - not Yugo.

To many's surprise, Cambodia serves as an excellent playground for yoga practitioners, from its story-rich history and culture, to the diverse terrain and vast wildlife.

We would start the day in Phnom Penh, the historic capital of Cambodia, where guests would board our Airbus H125 or Airbus AS350 B3+ helicopter for a comfortable flight to Phnom Aural.

Image Credit: IndoChina Charm Travel

Only known to passionate trekkers, Phnom Aural (1,831m) is the summit of the Cardamom Mountain Ranges. It is part of the Phnom Aural Wildlife Sanctuary, and also home to Cambodia's endemic bird Cambodian Laughingthrush. There, guests would practice mindfulness through guided meditation, and ease into yoga with simple stretching exercises, inhaling the fresh air from the evergreen Aural forest, and exhaling the burden and anxiety from city life.

We would then take off to one of the many beaches Cambodia has to offer. Perched in the Gulf of Thailand, Cambodia has hundreds of miles of beautiful beaches. And if guests would like to go extra miles for the heli-yoga experience, Cambodia also boasts dozens of outlying islands for a truly secluded retreat.

Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island) in Cambodia

Worth noting is the hidden gem Koh Tonsay island, also known as the Rabbit Island. Fringed with palm trees and speckled with hammocks on the shoreline, Koh Tonsay is the perfect backdrop for your yoga practice of the day.

Unlike other islands in Cambodia, Koh Tonsay isn't "blessed" with foreign investment, tourists or parties, making it a tranquil paradise for those who're looking to restore balance. If you like, you could also take advantage of the warm, gentle waters and take a dip - ending the heli-yoga experience on a high note with sea, land and air covered.

How do you like our proposed heli-yoga itinerary? And how would you do it differently?

If you're interested in any of the Yugo experiences, get in touch at contact@yugoplus.com. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of our website: www.flight.yugoplus.com.

Five Wild Holidays Accessible by Helicopter

There are ample opportunities to tune out to the sound of nature across Southeast Asia, and what better way to admire the abundance of the region’s natural beauty than from above? Here are some of the hottest wildlife- and nature-driven excursions best experienced from a helicopter.

From active volcanoes and towering peaks to sprawling national parks, tropical islands and pristine jungle, there are no shortages of getaways away from the hustle and bustle of hectic modern life.

Masungi Georeserve, Philippines

Rizal has proved a popular attraction with nature enthusiasts

This incredible geological park and conservation area in Baras, Rizal has proved a popular attraction with nature enthusiasts since it opened its doors in 2015. The vast site is home to a series of hiking trails that feature rope walls, hanging bridges and viewing platforms that hang above 66 million-year-old limestone karsts amid lush tropical rainforest. Make the most out of a trip and combine a hiking and helicopter tour. After exploring the park by foot, get on a high and fly above the fascinating rock formations and ancient forest.

Mount Kinabalu, Borneo

Skip the strenuous climb and marvel at the rugged peaks from above in a helicopter

Holding the title of Southeast Asia’s highest mountain, Mount Kinabalu dominates Sabah’s skyline teetering 4,095 metres above sea level. Conquering its peak is a must with many active visitors spending at least two days tackling the at times tough trails. For those on a tight schedule or those who want to soak up the mountain’s majestic beauty while skipping the strenuous climb, take to the skies in a helicopter and marvel at the rugged peaks from above. Soak up exclusive views of the spectacular summits, with early morning the best time to appreciate Kinabalu’s magnitude.

Komodo, Indonesia

The stunning UNESCO-crowned site is home to the world’s largest lizard, the mighty Komodo dragon

Hire a helicopter and explore Komodo – perfect for nature-lovers, thanks to it being home to the world’s largest lizard, the mighty Komodo dragon. Forming part of Komodo National Park, the island features striking pink beaches – one of only seven in the world. The stunning UNESCO-crowned site is home to more than 4,000 species of wild birds and is a true diver’s paradise. The waters surrounding Komodo are home to more than 1,000 species of fish, 260 species of reef-building coral, manta rays, sharks, whales, dolphins and sea turtles.

Mount Batur, Bali

Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime trip lapping up bird’s eye vistas of striking lava slopes from a private helicopter

There is no better way to view Bali’s active volcano than staring into its mouth from a private helicopter. Leave behind the trails of tourists that set off under the cloak of dark to enjoy sunrise from the mountain’s peak and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime trip lapping up bird’s eye vistas of striking lava slopes, tropical vegetation and an incredible turquoise crater lake from above. As the aircraft hovers above the island’s lush landscapes, enjoy breath-taking views of rice terraces and shimmering highland lakes.

Bensley Collection - Shinta Mani Wild, Cambodia

Experience Cambodia’s rugged jungle in style with a five-star glamping experience.

Experience Cambodia’s rugged jungle in style with a five-star glamping experience that takes visitors right into the wild. Nestled along a roaring river in the heart of Cardamom National Park, this luxury camp has been wowing guests since it opened in 2018. The unique experience enables visitors to journey into the wilderness in true comfort. Join rangers and follow paths in search of poachers, hike through virgin forest in search of exotic wildlife, forage for food, kayak along meandering waterways and zipline through the lush canopy of trees. Take advantage of a helicopter transfer to the resort and soak up stunning aerial jungle views.