Drone light shows heat up tourism in China's Chongqing

CHONGQING, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- As more than 5,000 drones soared into the night sky over southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, they formed a dazzling array of vibrant patterns and shapes that mesmerized the spectators below.

Waves of excited cheers and people shouting "Wow" erupted from the crowd as the breathtaking drone light show illuminated the city's skyline.

Since mid-April of this year, Chongqing has been hosting an exciting drone light show every Saturday night in its downtown area, where the Yangtze and Jialing rivers converge. This grand spectacle has quickly become a new hallmark of Chongqing, injecting fresh vitality into the city's tourism industry.

On June 17 this year, Chongqing dazzled the public by setting a Guinness World Record with an amazing drone performance featuring 11,787 drones. The spectacular show was enjoyed by over 100,000 residents and visitors.

"The drone show perfectly complements Chongqing's stunning nightscape, with patterns that highlight the city's unique features. It's truly a visual feast," said Tong Cheng, a tourist from east China's Shandong Province.

The drone shows not only illuminate Chongqing's night sky, but also energize the city's growing night-time economy.

"Each performance lasts only 20 minutes, but the consumer activity it sparks continues throughout the night," said Li Jingliang, director of the drone show.

"Although the show does not start until 9 p.m., the surrounding area begins to bustle with visitors as early as 5 p.m., bringing an early boost to local businesses," said Pei Zongquan, who runs a restaurant near the venue.

The Sandongqiao Folk Culture Street near the performance venue has also seen a surge in consumer activity. "Private rooms and outdoor seating at riverside restaurants were fully booked two days before the show. On performance days, these restaurants see their revenues increase by nearly 80 percent compared to regular days," said Zhang Youjia, who oversees business operations for the area.

Data show that since this regular drone performance started, it has unleashed over 350 million yuan (about 49.03 million U.S. dollars) of consumption.

These achievements owe much to the technical team behind the show. "To many people's surprise, more than 5,000 drones can be controlled by only one computer and one manipulator," said Li, who added that the key to achieving precise coordination in drone formations lies in real-time control and seamless information exchange among the drones.

Each drone is equipped with advanced sensors and communication devices. The sensors accurately capture data such as the drone's position, speed, and orientation, while the communication devices ensure this information is rapidly shared among all drones. Based on this data and a preset formation algorithm, each drone calculates its flight path and movements, enabling precisely coordinated flight.

Chongqing's drone shows are also distinguished by their ever-evolving creative designs, featuring patterns inspired by city landmarks, local cuisine, and traditional festivals. Each show offers tourists a fresh and memorable experience.

The show has become a must-see attraction in Chongqing, drawing visitors from across China and even around the world every Saturday. With this level of popularity, the prospects for regular drone performances are highly promising, according to Li. ■