Urban tourism is currently confronted with challenges related to promotion and innovation, particularly in supporting sustainable urban development. This is primarily due to the rapid growth of the low-altitude economy globally, characterized by the integration of advanced technologies and smart tools, which are transforming urban tourism marketing. Although low-altitude tourism has been recognized as an effective strategy for addressing these challenges and enhancing the sustainability of urban tourism, empirical and practical studies on the topic remain limited. This study seeks to expand the understanding of low-altitude tourism by providing both empirical and theoretical insights through conducting phenomenological research. It explores the impacts, opportunities, and challenges of low-altitude tourism within the broader context of urban tourism. The findings suggest that the scope of low-altitude tourism in urban areas should be broadened, emphasizing the creation of integrated urban tourism and leisure spaces that extend from the land to the sky, and from the physical world to virtual reality. Low-altitude tourism has the potential to foster transformative tourism experiences by offering memorable experiences and cultivating embodied cognition within a shared urban tourism and leisure space that can be enjoyed by both residents and visitors. Thus, this study contributes to the theoretical and empirical development of urban tourism by proposing a model for low-altitude tourism that can inform future urban tourism strategies.