This is the spectacular moment a drone show illuminated the night sky in China.

Breathtaking footage shows thousands of UAVs moving in unison while forming a red dragon, a bird, a soldier, the Chinese national flag, and the Earth during the aerial performance, welcoming the Year of the Dragon in Tangshan, Hebei, on February 3.

The stunning display wowed the audience with the precision and creativity of the formations.

The Chinese zodiac system has been in use for about 2,000 years but is traditionally extrapolated back to 2637 BCE with the current 60-year cycle started on February 2, 1984.

A well-known Chinese folk tale tells the story of the Jade Emperor, an important Chinese god, who held a race to decide which animals would be included in the calendar.

The animals had to cross a fast-moving river and reach the Gate of Heaven. The order in which the animals finished the race determined the order of the zodiac signs.

The 12 animals that won the race were the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.

Next year will be the Year of the Snake, which will be celebrated on January 29, 2025.