Thousands of Glowing Drones Celebrate Lantern Festival in Guangzhou

By Connor Frankhouser, February 13, 2017

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Guangzhou residents strolling around Huacheng Square at 9pm on the Saturday of the Lantern Festival were greeted to a scene out of Nena’s 99 Red Balloons when the sky was lit by “thousands” of flying objects, according to Tencent News. First-hand accounts of individuals in the area refer to the objects as resembling “fireflies” but emitting an audible whooshing sound. 

Interestingly, the flying ordinance on display to revelers in the Huacheng and Haixinsha areas were not fireworks, shooting stars nor extraterrestrials stopping by to sample the limited edition Chinese New Year menu at McDonalds, but rather a massive contingent of wurenji, or drones. 

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In a stunning display of synchronization, residents reported the drones deftly danced in the sky, breaking ranks and reassembling to flash images of roosters and other signs of good luck for the nascent Year of the Rooster.

Chinese media that covered the aerial flash mob are reporting that the assembly of drones will set a Guinness World Record. It is unclear if the performance on Saturday evening eclipsed a previously existing record or set a literally sky-high benchmark in previously uncharted territory.

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All we do know is that between China’s synchronized swimming team, who took home major hardware in the 2016 Olympics, and the individuals controlling these drones, the Middle Kingdom has some majorly talented choreographers. 

[Images via Tencent News]

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