Lijiang, China – Video filmed by X user @B7Mv8MBwLHzgM6V shows a nighttime view from a high vantage point overlooking the ancient town of Lijiang in Yunnan Province on Chinese New Year’s Eve, February 16, 2026, marking the arrival of the Year of the Fire Horse with a citywide fireworks extravaganza.

The sky, initially dark above traditional rooftops and distant hills, erupts as fireworks launch from numerous locations across the town. Bursts of red, gold, white, green, blue, purple, and silver fill the air, while smoke spreads across the skyline and embers drift amid continuous explosions.

The intense display reflects Lijiang’s mix of Naxi ethnic customs, bonfire gatherings, and community rituals, amplified by nationwide Spring Festival celebrations. The spectacle ends with lingering bursts fading into a smoky haze above the historic landscape, described in the post as “Chinese New Year blessings.”

Across Yunnan Province, celebrations included dazzling fireworks and lantern displays. From Kunming’s intangible heritage events to Lijiang’s bonfire parties and folk gatherings, the 15-day festival drew crowds. The tourism boom saw hotel bookings in the region double during the holiday period.

Some viewers initially mistook the intense footage for scenes of conflict due to its scale and brightness, prompting calls for cultural appreciation and framing it as a symbol of global festive unity.

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