From Hunan to Victoria Harbour: the making of Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year fireworks extravaganza

Hong Kong rang in the Year of the Pig with dazzling circles of fireworks resembling pig snouts and the rings of Saturn. Some 23,888 pyrotechnic shells were used to light up the city’s skyline and iconic Victoria Harbour. But what’s the secret of the fireworks magic for the 23-minute extravaganza? The SCMP joined pyrotechnics engineer Wilson Mao, who has designed and staged every major fireworks display in the city since 1996, to learn more about the technical wizardry behind the bright spectacle.

(Head photo: SCMP / Nora Tam)