Published: 00:13, May 2, 2025
Drone show lights up night sky
By China Daily
Drones depict a bun tower over Victoria Harbour in Wan Chai on Thursday. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

A spectacular drone show featuring vibrant tributes to Hong Kong’s traditions captivated thousands of visitors and residents over Victoria Harbour in Wan Chai on Thursday, marking the beginning of the Chinese mainland’s five-day Labor Day holiday.

The 12-minute show started at 8 pm, showcasing 1,000 drones as they gracefully maneuvered through the night sky. The performance highlighted the city’s traditional festivals, including the Cheung Chau Bun Festival, Tin Hau Festival, and Tam Kung Festival. The drones formed dynamic patterns that depicted bun towers, mythical creatures, and various themed displays.

Organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, this event is part of a broader initiative aimed at celebrating the city’s rich cultural heritage. The campaign includes events like the Cheung Chau Bun Festival, Buddha’s Birthday, and the Kwai Tsing Bamboo Theatre Culture Festival, all designed to immerse visitors in Hong Kong’s vibrant culture.

The city is expected to welcome approximately 840,000 tourists from the mainland during the Labor Day holiday, 10 percent more than last year.

Visitors and residents take photos of the drone show over Victoria Harbour in Wan Chai on Thursday. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)
Drones form dynamic patterns that depict the qilin – a mythical hoofed beast – over Victoria Harbour in Wan Chai on Thursday. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)
Drones depict traditional Chinese opera figures over Victoria Harbour in Wan Chai on Thursday.  (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)
Drones depict the Chinese characters Ping an da ji — a phrase expressing wishes for safety and good fortune — over Victoria Harbour in Wan Chai on Thursday. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)