Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, Zhejiang Province
Photo: MNXANL, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport is a major commercial aviation hub serving one of China's most prosperous regions, located approximately 27 kilometers east of Hangzhou city center. The airport handles over 40 million passengers annually across its modern terminal facilities and multiple runways. Built on relatively flat terrain in the Yangtze River Delta, the airport's strategic location makes it a critical gateway for both domestic and international flights. On July 7, 2010, this bustling transportation center became the focal point of one of China's most documented UFO incidents, when an unidentified aerial phenomenon forced authorities to halt all flight operations for approximately one hour. Ancient astronaut theorists suggest the incident reflects evidence of extraterrestrial surveillance, pointing to the object's unexplained nature and the military's inability to provide a public explanation as significant. However, aviation and defense analysts have proposed conventional explanations ranging from atmospheric phenomena to classified military testing, noting that government secrecy around such incidents often reflects national security concerns rather than confirmation of otherworldly visitors. The 2010 event remains one of China's most scrutinized modern UFO cases, with the core mystery—what the object actually was—still unresolved despite extensive witness testimony and photographic documentation.
Timeline
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport officially opens as a modern aviation facility
July 7 UFO sighting forces temporary airport closure and flight diversions
Military investigation launched but no official explanation publicly released
What the Show Claims
- ›Theorists argue that the July 7, 2010 UFO sighting that forced the shutdown of Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport — witnessed by a flight crew and photographed by numerous Hangzhou residents — is evidence of extraterrestrial craft operating in Chinese airspaceS11E09
- ›The incident demonstrates the government's inability to control its own skies, with Chinese military authorities stating they were not conducting test flights at the timeS11E09
Theorist Takes
“When the UFO was seen, all hell broke loose. Flights were diverted. The military was contacted to see if they were test-flying anything in the air, which they weren't.”
From the Transcripts
“Zhejiang Province, China. July 7, 2010. Just after 8:40 p.m., the Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, which serves over 70,000 passengers a day, is suddenly shut down.”
What Archaeology Says
Unlike ancient archaeological sites, Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport represents a modern phenomenon that has become significant in the study of unexplained aerial phenomena. The July 7, 2010 incident began when flight crew members reported observing a glowing, oval-shaped object in the airport's airspace during evening operations. Airport authorities immediately implemented emergency protocols, grounding all outbound flights and diverting incoming aircraft to alternative airports.
The sighting gained widespread attention when multiple Hangzhou residents captured photographs and video footage of the unusual object, which appeared as a bright, elongated form against the evening sky. Chinese military officials were called in to investigate the incident, conducting inquiries throughout the hour-long airport closure. Despite thorough investigation, authorities never released a definitive public explanation for what was observed.
What makes this incident particularly notable is the combination of official response, multiple witness accounts, and photographic evidence. The airport's sophisticated radar and tracking systems were operational during the event, yet no conventional aircraft or known military activity could account for the sighting. The incident occurred during a period of increased global attention to unexplained aerial phenomena, adding to international discussions about government transparency regarding such events.
The case remains one of China's most well-documented modern UFO incidents, notable for the measured response of aviation authorities and the lack of any official explanation that satisfactorily accounts for all witness reports and evidence collected.
Mysteries & Fun Facts
The July 7, 2010 incident occurred during peak evening flight operations, affecting dozens of scheduled departures and arrivals
Multiple residents in surrounding areas independently captured similar photographic evidence of the unidentified object
The airport closure lasted approximately one hour, making it one of the longer documented UFO-related aviation disruptions in modern Chinese history
Chinese military authorities confirmed they were not conducting any test flights or exercises in the area at the time of the sighting
Planning a Visit
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport operates as a major commercial aviation hub and is generally accessible to travelers and visitors. The airport features modern terminal facilities with viewing areas, though specific access to operational areas is restricted for security reasons. Visitors interested in the 2010 incident can explore the general airport area and nearby locations where residents captured photographs of the event.
Hangzhou, approximately 27 kilometers west
The airport operates year-round with consistent services, though spring and autumn offer the most comfortable weather conditions for the Hangzhou region. Summer months can be hot and humid, while winter temperatures are generally mild.
Related Sites
Roswell
Another famous modern UFO incident site where official explanations remain disputed
GIMBAL UAP Incident Site (Atlantic Coast of Florida)
Recent military-documented unexplained aerial phenomena with official acknowledgment
Tunguska explosion site
Historic unexplained aerial event in a remote location that generated lasting scientific interest