The art of firework-making in Liuyang, Hunan Province, traces its origins to the Tang Dynasty (618–907). Over 1,300 years ago, Li Tian, a native of Dayao in Liuyang, invented firecrackers to dispel evil spirits and symbolize people’s hopes for peace and good fortune. His innovation eventually made “Liuyang” synonymous with fireworks.

For more than a thousand years, fireworks have played a central role in Chinese cultural celebrations and have become the lifeblood of Liuyang itself. Today, the city stands as the world’s largest production and trading hub for fireworks. In 1995, it was officially named the “Hometown of Fireworks in China” by the central government. The International Fireworks Association, founded in 2002, is also headquartered here. In 2006, Liuyang’s firework craftsmanship was inscribed as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Traditional Liuyang firework production involved 72 manual steps. With technological advancements, fireworks now come in more than 3,000 varieties across 13 categories. The city also produces safer and eco-friendly products, such as smokeless fireworks and those suitable for indoor or stage use. Modern displays can be remotely controlled via computer algorithms, eliminating the need for on-site manual operation.

Liuyang fireworks have illuminated many global events. The 29 “giant footprints” that marched across the sky at the 2008 Beijing Olympics opening ceremony were created here. They also featured prominently in celebrations such as the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (2019), the centenary of the Communist Party of China (2021), the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, and the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.

Renowned worldwide for creating breathtaking displays that transcend language and borders, Liuyang fireworks are exported to over 100 countries and regions across the Americas, Europe, Southeast Asia, and beyond. Most recently, they lit up the Seine River during the torch-lighting ceremony at the opening of the 2024 Paris Olympics.