Henan Baoquan Tourist Resort

Huixian County, Xinxiang City, Henan Province, China

Learn how Otis installed double-deck elevators directly inside of a mountain

The Henan Baoquan Tourist Resort is a scenic location in one of central China’s most spectacular geographic formations. The site’s L-shaped cave sightseeing elevator carries passengers through the mountainous terrain, connecting the various areas of the resort and representing the first time Otis double-deck elevators were installed directly inside of a mountain.

Project facts

Completed: June 2023
Height: 336 m (1,102 ft)
Floors: 4
Speed: 8 m/s
Developer: Henan Baoquan Tourism Co., Ltd.

Unique requirements

For this elevator project, Otis addressed a range of challenges, including high humidity levels and tough installation conditions. Additionally, the hoistway had to be dug out through the middle of a mountain, requiring parts to be transported manually and preventing the usage of standard installation equipment.

Otis innovation

Otis teams conducted site studies to develop a customized plan for the project based on local conditions. Three double-deck SkyRise® elevators were installed to support the large tourist flow. And a number of moisture- and rust-prevention measures were taken to protect components from the high humidity levels.

Otis SkyRise elevators transport visitors to scenic wonders at a world-class tourist destination

Henan Baoquan Tourist Resort: A secret world of stunning views and cliffside panoramas

Covering nearly 110 square kilometers, the Henan Baoquan Tourist Resort is a must-see attraction for sightseeing and vacationing located in a national forest reserve in China’s Henan Province.

The two major sections that compose the resort are the Grand Canyon and Ya Tian Xia, the latter being home to one of the world’s largest glass floor observation platform. To get from one area of the resort to the other, visitors take elevators directly through the mountain.

Facing a mountain of challenges

Otis was tasked with constructing the elevators that connect the two areas of the resort. The elevators would have to transport a large number of passengers between the scenic spots by taking them through the mountainous terrain.

Due to the resort’s location on a national forest reserve, there was a pressing need for a customized solution. And with a large tourist flow in scenic spots, teams needed to ensure the elevators met the highest standards for safety, reliability, load and speed.

Solution

Otis’ technical expertise and ability to execute projects in challenging site conditions made the team well-equipped to deliver on the complex elevator installation requirements at the Henan Baoquan Tourist Resort.

After conducting initial field studies and developing a detailed project plan, the Otis team arrived on site ahead of installation to create routes for transporting parts for the elevator machine room. They used several mini trucks to smoothly transport materials from neighboring provinces to the top of the mountain where the machine room would be located. They then excavated the mountain to begin installation of the hoistway.

The SkyRise double-deck elevators were selected specifically to accommodate large load sizes and to meet the customer’s demand for high levels of speed, safety and reliability. To meet energy efficiency targets, the project was equipped with ReGen® Drive and gearless traction machines, to help reduce the customer’s energy consumption.

The Otis team addressed the high levels of humidity within the mountain by making several improvements to the standard design. They used galvanized cables with stronger corrosion resistance and applied targeted anti-rust treatments to the shaft components to keep them protected from the environment.

Besides providing the customized design, products and installation, Otis also helped the customer overcome problems with an unstable power supply. By adding a voltage regulator, the Otis team was able to address this issue and minimize the risk of possible trapping and/or suspension of use.

With a flat portion stretching 372 m (1,220 ft) and a vertical shaft rising 336 m (1,102 ft) high, the cave sightseeing elevator at the Henan Baoquan Tourist Resort is recognized today as one of the world’s tallest elevators inside of a mountain.

The Henan Baoquan Tourist Resort project is a great example of how Otis leveraged its expertise and innovative solutions to take on tough environmental challenges, helping customers create unforgettable experiences at natural sites around the world.