16,000 Drones Take Flight in Liuyang, Setting Two Guinness Records in a Romantic Display of Chinese Technology

On October 17, the night sky over Liuyang, Hunan, was illuminated by 15,947 drones. This centerpiece performance of the 17th Liuyang Fireworks Festival simultaneously shattered two Guinness World Records: “Most Drones Flown Simultaneously Controlled by a Single Computer” and “Largest Formation of Drones Carrying Fireworks.” It showcased to the world the dazzling fusion of Chinese technology and traditional artistry.

Using the sky as its canvas, the daytime display featured drone formations tracing the journey of life—from DNA double helix to sprouting seeds and blooming flowers. Simultaneously, 7,496 fireworks burst into the air, their blue and red smoke intertwining with butterfly silhouettes. As night fell, the silhouette of a towering tree abruptly materialized. Thousands of golden fireworks cascaded like feathered waterfalls, synchronized with the drone light array to the millisecond, eliciting waves of cheers from the crowd.

This spectacle resulted from nearly 30 design revisions and 14 on-site tests. Specialized drones carried 400 grams of payload with anti-interference capabilities, while fireworks powder was meticulously measured to 0.1-gram precision. The residue-free design further emphasized environmental sustainability. Performance videos quickly flooded social media platforms, with “Liuyang Fireworks Show Has Evolved This Far” trending on Douyin. Even Elon Musk gave it a thumbs-up on social media.

From its 1,400-year history to drone-enhanced precision, this spectacle not only showcases industrial advancement but also writes a uniquely Chinese chapter of technological romance across the dazzling night sky.