Chongqing - On the evening of February 12, during the Lantern Festival, Chongqing hosted its final drone show at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers. The grand finale featured Chongqing's unique elements, including intricate hotpot patterns, lucky bags, and camellia flowers. A special design of Tang Yuan (sweet rice dumplings), symbolizing the festival, was also showcased.
Despite a drizzle, the event attracted large crowds of enthusiastic citizens and tourists, many eager to capture the breathtaking visuals.
"My friends and my Chinese colleagues recommended it to me because they say it's the craziest city on the Earth," said a Moroccan visitor, expressing her excitement. Having previously only seen drone shows on social media, she was thrilled to experience one in person. "I hope they do it again and again so I can live the experience more and more," she added.
A local man who attended with his son and friends was amazed by the scale of the performance and highlighted the significance of merging traditional festivals with modern technology to reflect contemporary aspirations for a better life.
A young woman dressed in traditional Hanfu appreciated the event’s festive details, particularly the display of Tang Yuan alongside celebratory messages for the Spring and Lantern Festivals. She described the show as a "visual feast" highlighting technological progress. "Chongqing has so many skyscrapers, and it is right by the river," she added. Using technology like this makes it stunning."
According to data from Meituan Travel, searches for "drone performances" surged by 318% year-on-year between February 3 and February 9. The integration of cutting-edge technology into traditional festivals has injected fresh momentum into holiday consumption, offering a unique blend of cultural heritage and modern innovation.