As night falls over Liuyang, the sky transforms into a canvas of light. The Hunan Province city, renowned as China's fireworks capital, recently unveiled its 2025 winter pyrotechnic display – a synchronized fusion of music, technology, and centuries-old craftsmanship that drew gasps from thousands of spectators.
This year's show features groundbreaking designs including three-dimensional 'floating lantern' formations and color-shifting chrysanthemum patterns visible up to 8km away. Local artisans have incorporated new eco-friendly compounds that reduce particulate emissions by 40% compared to traditional formulas, aligning with China's green development goals.
"What began as a Ming Dynasty tradition has become our city's signature art form," said a Liuyang Cultural Tourism Bureau spokesperson. The industry supports over 300,000 local jobs and supplies 60% of the world's display fireworks, with exports reaching $1.2 billion this year.
Nightly shows will continue through December, with special Lunar New Year programming announced for February 2026. Visitors can also tour the Fireworks Museum's new augmented reality exhibition tracing the craft's evolution from ancient bamboo crackers to AI-designed aerial choreography.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
