China Media Group's (CMG) Spring Festival Gala has transformed southwest China's Chongqing into a tourist hotspot, with its breathtaking drone display boosting local tourism and creating significant economic gains for the local community.
The captivating drone displays have had a profound impact on local tourism and consumption, with visitor numbers to the Nanbin Road area of Chongqing soaring by 90.87 percent to 3.554 million during the Chinese New Year period, compared to the same period last year. From the second day of the Chinese New Year through the Lantern Festival, which fell on Thursday, the drone formations have repeatedly taken to the skies, offering breathtaking visual feasts for residents and visitors alike.
"Being there in person gives you a very three-dimensional and beautiful feeling," said Wang Zhenli, a spectator who expressed the sentiment shared by many.
"I'm very excited! Our country's sci-tech achievements are really amazing, so great!" said Zhu Hong, another spectator.
The Chongqing Municipal Party Committee Publicity Department's Literary and Art Division Director, Li Yanhua, explained the strategy behind the extended performances.
"We hope that through these two weeks of continuous shows, everyone's love for Chongqing and the Spring Festival Gala's Chongqing sub-venue will continue. We want to turn the Spring Festival Gala's popularity into increased consumption, encouraging tourists and residents to travel and experience Chongqing, promoting cultural tourism, catering, and other consumption," said Li.
A recent uptick in travel has brought a welcome influx of visitors to Nan'an District, where tourism statistics have revealed a significant increase, according to Lu Tianming, deputy director of the Nan'an District Culture and Tourism Commission.
"In January 2025, Nan'an District's overnight tourist numbers increased by 32 percent year on year, with inbound tourists increasing by 138 percent," said Lu.
Chongqing is not alone in embracing drone technology for entertainment. During the Spring Festival, dozens of cities across China hosted similar drone shows, with citizens and tourists marveling at the aerial displays.
In Haikou City, south China's Hainan Province, over 3,000 drones formed a flying squadron on the night of the Lantern Festival, creating various patterns in the sky, including a sailboat, roses, the phrase "I Love HK(Haikou)," and even a unique rocket launch pattern. Spectators eagerly captured the technologically advanced spectacle on their phones.
Drone shows attract record crowds to Chongqing, boosting local economy
