Five thousand drones rose above Daming Lake on July 10, transforming the sky over Jinan into a luminous stage during the opening of the 2026 Jinan International Festival of Springs.

The aerial display unfolded as a meditation on the city's identity as China's famed "City of Springs". The formations evoked the waters that have shaped Jinan for centuries, tracing the outlines of Baotu Spring, Black Tiger Spring, Wulong Pond, Pearl Spring, and Ink Spring in shimmering light.

The performance then lifted the city's cultural memory into the night sky. Animated verses mingled with the silhouettes of poets Li Qingzhao (1084–1155) and Xin Qiji (1140–1207), seamlessly blending a literary legacy spanning centuries with contemporary digital artistry.

The finale shifted from memory to aspiration. Images of children at play by the springs and steaming cups of spring-water tea and coffee gave way to soaring fish that transformed into a giant bird, while a mechanical hand illuminated a modern skyline. Together, the scenes offered a portrait of a city where its spring-fed heritage continues to inspire innovation and enrich everyday life.

Drone lights form the silhouettes of historical figures above Daming Lake in Jinan. [Photo/Jinan Daily]

A plump koi fish comes to life in a dazzling drone light display. [Photo/Jinan Daily]

A mechanical hand illuminates a modern skyline in Jinan. [Photo/Jinan Daily]