This is the hilarious moment a bachelor released a lantern to wish for a girlfriend, only for it to nearly fall into a lake.

Guo Xiaoneng launched the sky lantern during a festival in Shaanxi, China, on February 12.

Footage shows the man extending his arms upward while holding the rim of the lit lantern.

Moments later, it floated low, just inches above the water, sending his friends into fits of laughter as the glowing light dipped dangerously close to the lake's surface.

However, the small hot air balloon suddenly gained lift and hovered upwards, drifting toward the other side of the bridge.

This prompted cheers from the crowd and a sigh of relief from Guo, who thought his romantic wish might sink before it even took off.