Thousands of Hongkongers, tourists gather for Dragon Boat Festival drone show
- The 10-minute display featured more than 1,000 drones
Thousands of residents and tourists gathered for a drone show with a Dragon Boat Festival theme that lit up the sky above Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour on Monday evening.
The city’s first drone show to mark the Tuen Ng Festival was part of the Tourism Board’s larger efforts to attract more visitors to Hong Kong. The crowds at the Wan Chai waterfront gasped and applauded as the drones took flight in formation at 8pm.
The 10-minute display featured more than 1,000 drones forming the shape of a dozen green sticky rice dumplings, also known as zongzi.
The drones then formed the shape of a cartoon rice dumpling holding drumsticks, making a reference to the drummer at the front of a dragon boat during the race, which is essential to helping the team keep pace.
They then morphed into three teams of dragon boat racers paddling in water.
The display ended with a zongzi character paddling a dragon boat, with the words “Happy Tuen Ng”, to applause and cheers from spectators.
Chris Yeung, 25, a fresh graduate, watched the show with his grandmother.
“I think the last one with the Chinese letters spelling out ‘Happy Tuen Ng’ was my favourite, and I found the sticky rice dumpling formation very cute,” he said.
Crystal Hong, 13, who was at the waterfront with her father, agreed the final display was her favourite, and wanted to see more in the future.
“As my first-ever drone performance, it was quite stunning,” she said. “There were so many drones and not a single one fell down.”
Dara Chiu, who attended the show with her husband and friends, said the three dragon boats were her favourite.
“I queued up here at 6pm, just to see the 10 minutes of the drone show!” she said.
Other events, including free ice cream distribution at Wan Chai pier, were also set up.
Three Mister Softee ice cream vans were parked outside the Wan Chai pier entrance around 6pm on Monday, with about 100 people queuing up for the free treats.
Ken Wai and his family of four waited in the queue for 10 minutes to get ice cream.
“We plan to go across the harbour and then come back at 8pm to watch the drone show in Wan Chai. Last time we were here to watch Doraemon, we didn’t need to get here early and reserve a seat,” he said, referring to the world’s first drone show featuring the Japanese cartoon character last month.
But teacher Joanne Lee said she and her daughter had been waiting at the waterfront since 4pm to watch the 8pm drone show.
“I think a drone show once a month is enough,” she said. “I think the government should organise more international events, such as Rugby Sevens and such.
“Because drone shows are quite local, they’re not international, I don’t think it helps the economy much.”
Loh Shek-lin, a supply chain officer, has been walking along the promenade a few hours before the show.
“I think they should invite more musical artists to come to Hong Kong to perform, more artistic events related to culture,” she said.
“I think today’s event should attract a lot of tourists. The weather’s hot so I think a lot of people will go for the free ice cream.”
Ren Cueguang, an employee at a Shenzhen-based company who arrived in Hong Kong on Sunday, said he had been waiting there since 7am.
“Drone shows are quite good, I think they’re quite unique especially in Hong Kong.”
Retired taxi driver Lo Wai-man, 67, said he set up his camera equipment at the promenade at 3pm to film the show.
“Hong Kong’s drone industry is respected across the globe as we are known to be a commercial hub. So I think it’s a smart move for Hong Kong to host events like this,” he said.
“To convince locals to stay in Hong Kong, I think the government should host food and drink events with low spending costs. People are usually quiet here, so this might be a starting point to get them to enjoy nightlife here in Hong Kong.
“As for international events, I think Hong Kong should host more sports events here, even though there is a lack of space and resources.”
02:05
Hong Kong dragon boat racers make a splash as city celebrates Tuen Ng
Besides the show, the board also organised a food market across the harbour at the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui over the week, selling traditional Hong Kong treats, such as sticky rice dumplings and siu mai.
The city is set to host the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade during the coming weekend.
More than 170 teams from 12 countries and regions will take part in the races on June 15 and 16.
