The 2025 (26th) Hainan Island Carnival kicked off on Saturday in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, marking the start of various activities to be held across the island.

Running through August 31, the event revolves around the theme of "cool island summer", offering residents and visitors from home and abroad immersive new tourism experiences and vibrant scenes that highlight the integration of marine culture, leisure sports, local cuisine, and coastal festivities.

On the opening night, the island embraced a jubilant atmosphere as the festivities combined dazzling visuals, island flavors, and lively parades, transforming the tropical province into a haven of summer delight.

"It's a feeling that coastal cities elsewhere just don't offer. It seems to me that the people in Hainan have a strong sense of happiness. The whole atmosphere here is wonderful. The sunset today was super gorgeous, looking like burning clouds, and the starry sky is stunning. The setting is incredibly well done and very successful," said Xiao Bo, a tourist.

On Saturday, the night sky over Haikou was lit up by a grand drone performance, as more than a thousand drones formed intricate patterns featuring elements unique to Hainan.

The dazzling images glowed against the coastal sky, igniting gasps of awe and admiration from visitors.

Spectators captured the breathtaking moment with their phones, and the jubilant vibes reached their peak.

"The drone show is absolutely stunning. It's my first time seeing a drone performance. It was intricately designed with incredibly diverse forms, showcasing many of Hainan's symbols like its mascots and iconic dishes. It made the trip totally worthwhile," another tourist named Bao Ruiying said.

As one of China's flagship tourism festivals, the Hainan Island Carnival continues to showcase the island's distinctive charm and high-quality tourism offerings, reinforcing its reputation as a premier global tropical destination.