A giant kite, or a plane? The world's largest solar-powered plane, Solar Impulse 2, silently hovers above the airport of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality early Tuesday morning.

After a more than 20-hour journey from Mandalay, the second largest city of Myanmar, the globe-trotting plane landed at its fifth destination. It was greeted by local aviation enthusiasts.

As the kite-like plane makes its debut in China, we take a closer look at the long-awaited Solar Impulse 2.

What is Solar Impulse 2?

Solar Impulse 2, is a solar-powered plane made of carbon fiber, with the wing-span of a jumbo jet but weighs as much as a SUV.

This Swiss-made plane travels at roughly 70 kilometers per hour.

Flying day and night without fuel?

The power of Solar Impulse 2 is gained from 17,248 solar panels installed on both sides of the wings rather than conventional aviation fuels.

The wings of plane are wider than a Boeing 747, which can stretch 72 meters across.   

The solar panels on the wings can capture the sun's energy, and allowing the plane to fly day and night.

The 'impossible' solar plane aims for?

The creators of this plane say they are not aiming to change the airplane industry. However, they hope to demonstrate what new energy sources and clean technologies can achieve.

By inventing a solar plane with no emissions, the scientists plan to raise consciousness of renewable energy and environmental protection.

The route of Solar Impulse 2's world tour?

The globe-trotting plane began its maiden journey from United Arab Emirates on March 9, 2015. It is scheduled to return to the same location in August 2015.

The circumnavigation by Solar Impulse 2 is expected to be conducted in twelve stages over five months, with a total distance of 35,000 km.

The pilots aim to cross the Pacific Ocean, with stops in Oman, India, Myanmar, China, the United States, and in Southern Europe or North Africa depending on the weather.

Internet viewers can visit the Solar Impulse website to see the plane's location and listen to pilots' broadcasts.

Solar Impulse 2 in China.

Chongqing is the fifth landing site of Solar Impulse's 12-leg world tour following Abu Dhabi of United Arab Emirates, Muscat of Oman, Ahmedabad of India and Mandalay of Myanmar.

The plane will set off for Nanjing, the capital city of east China's Jiangsu province, after a short stay in Chongqing for energy storage. The plane is expected to stay in the city for three days to avoid the forecasted thunderstorms.

In responding to the mission of Solar Impulse 2, to showcase how clean energy technologies can change the world, a series of activities to popularize scientific knowledge themed in the solar plane will be held in Nanjing.

Meanwhile, some universities and PV companies in Jiangsu province will carry out interactive events to welcome the landing of Solar Impulse 2 in Nanjing.

Solar Power in China

The Swiss pilot Bertrand Piccard of the Solar Impulse 2 says China is now becoming the top producer of wind and solar power worldwide.

"If you see the efforts the Chinese government has made in optimizing the efficiency of new energy, you will not be surprised the Solar Impulse 2 has drawn so much attention in China," said Piccard, who co-piloted the plane with Andre Borschberg.

China has become the world's leading producer and user of solar power.

The Chinese government has recently unveiled a plan to install around 18 gigawatts of solar power capacity this year, up by nearly 20 percent from the original goal set last year.

But transmission infrastructure has lagged behind the addition of generating capacity in China.

Solar farms in China's vast western regions have plenty of sunshine but not enough infrastructures to harness and transmit power to the populated areas of the south and east of the country.