WATCH: China's stunning fireworks festival powered by 16k AI drones sets Guinness World Records

Tasleem Gierdien
23 October 2025 | 10:09The display created a dazzling show featuring 15,947 perfectly synchronised drones to create incredible images in the night sky.
The display formed part of the International Fireworks Cultural Festival, a major annual event in the city known as the 'fireworks capital of China'.
The records were awarded during the city’s renowned fireworks festival, one for the 'most drones launched simultaneously by a single computer' and another for the 'largest drone formation flight carrying the most fireworks'.
The breathtaking 'Sky Tree' performance, a fusion of art and technology, captivated millions of spectators both in person and online.
The first record involved the simultaneous launch of 15,947 drones controlled by a single computer, while the second featured 7,496 drones carrying fireworks. The show was a joint effort between Shenzhen’s Gaoju Innovation and the Liuyang fireworks makers, known for their centuries-old pyrotechnic craft.
Powered entirelyby AI and GPS guidance, the performance required no human pilots, achieving flawless precision with zero crashes and no delays.
Watch the moment below:
Nearly 16,000 drones soared over Liuyang, central China’s Hunan Province, lighting up the night and filling the sky with bursts of romance. pic.twitter.com/c2gHq5r21e
— People's Daily, China (@PDChina) October 20, 2025
To listen to Barbara Friedman in conversation with Zain Johnson on CapeTalk's Views and News, click below: