Liuyang, a small
city in Central China's Hunan Province, is China's largest fireworks
production base. Its fireworks are famous far and wide for their unique
technics, exquisite shape, bright color, clangorous detonation sound and rich
culture.
The history of
Liuyang fireworks dates back to the year 1740. It reached its peak in the 1870s
during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and developed into a main handicraft
industry. During the Yongzheng reign of the Qing Dynasty, Liuyang fireworks
became an article of tribute to the royal families. Firework workshops boomed at
that time, with nine out of ten households engaged in that line of trade and
fireworks began to be exported more than 20 countries and regions.
After the founding of new China, the
fireworks industry in Liuyang turned a new leaf of rapid development. Now the
annual output of fireworks amounts to 500,000 trunks, 60% of which is exported
overseas. Liuyang also boasts China's first fireworks school and the world's
first fireworks company to be listed on the stock market.
The manufacturing process of Liuyang
fireworks is quite complicated, with high requirement of technology. At present,
Liuyang has 190-odd kinds of fireworks, which are exported to more than 100
countries and regions. Now in Japan, South Korea, India, Iran, Britain and the
United States, people can enjoy the splendor of Liuyang fireworks on their
special occasions.