In a spectacular celebration marking the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone (Shenzhen SEZ), the city’s skyline was transformed by a groundbreaking 12,000-drone light show on the evening of Aug. 26.

The unprecedented event, beginning at 8:26 p.m., featured a 30-minute drone performance and a one-hour light show across two main venues: Shenzhen Civic Center in Futian District and Shenzhen Talent Park in Nanshan District. The performances ran simultaneously at both locations.

Zach, an expat from the United States, watched his first drone show in China at the Shenzhen Talent Park that evening.