A drone show director has helped transform the already sparkling night skies of the southwestern Chinese metropolis of Chongqing into a living canvas of light and technology, delivering a breathtaking overhead spectacle which has become a must-see attraction for visitors.
While Chongqing has already become a tourism hotspot for its sprawling modern cityscape, colorful skylines and spicy hotpot dishes, the introduction of regular drone shows above the city has added a whole other dimension to its appeal after darkness falls.
The city has become increasingly ambitious in its quest to hit new heights with its dazzling drone formations. Last summer, Chongqing even set a Guinness World Record, when a fleet of nearly 12,000 drones were flown in perfect unison to create a stunning aerial image over the city.
Among those playing their part in this popular technological showcase is former television news reporter, Li Junlin, who now serves as director of the "Dynamic Chongqing" Drone Light Show, a now iconic attraction that has quickly become synonymous with the city's innovative spirit.
Li's journey from covering local news on the ground to making news in the night sky reflects a broader trend across China, where cutting-edge drone technology is merging with artistic vision to create spectacular public experiences.
China is home to some of the world's best commercial drones, and cities across the country are experimenting with them in more creative ways. Chongqing, a mountainous metropolis which has already gained fame for its futuristic-looking skyline, offers the perfect backdrop for high-tech shows to flourish, Li emphasized.
Last year, China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security introduced a list of newly-recognized occupations, including 'drone swarm flight planner', a role that Li enthusiastically took up as she left her media career behind.
Her experience with visual storytelling on TV came in handy. To her, each drone in the sky is not just a machine, but like a pixel on a vast, dynamic screen.
"When we produced TV programs, we used wide, medium, and close-up shots. Those techniques can also be applied to drone storytelling. For example, in a sequence of ten visuals, each can build on the emotion of the previous one," said Li.
Turning artistic concepts into aerial reality requires robust technical support, and it's a responsibility that falls to Yao Lijun, project manager at the Shenzhen DAMODA Intelligent Control Technology Company, who explained the advanced technology which is powering these drone devices.
"We call it 'AP', or 'autopilot'. The program collects data from each drone and sends the information to the computer. The computer determines whether the drone is ready for takeoff. We then upload the program from the computer to the drones. Once they reach their designated point, they know exactly where to go and at what altitude," said Yao.
The drones are designed to carry-out high-precision maneuvers, and Li said they've gone through several upgrades in recent months which further improves their potential to create even more impressive visual displays.
"I entered the industry around July or August last year, and the upgrades have been happening fast. We used to remove each battery and charge them one by one. Now it's like a hive system. One power unit can charge six drones at the same time," said Li.
Across Chongqing and beyond, technology is transforming not just city skylines, but the very fabric of an economy driven by innovation, creativity, and talent.
Drone show director turns night skies into living canvas of light, technology
