Currently, Liuyang has become China’s biggest firecracker production and marketing place, with over 800 manufacturers across the county, 40 of which specializing in export business. At present, Liuyang is preparing to build a firecracker museum as part of the effort to make the county a center of Chinese firecracker collection, research, exhibition and exchange. 

 

Fireworks and firecrackers made in Liuyang are the most representative products in the fireworks industry of China. At the same time, they are world-famous traditional products of Hunan and among the major export commodities. Liuyang has long enjoyed a good reputation for its pyrotechnics and is commonly known as “the home of firecrackers”. The technology of making fireworks and firecrackers has been listed as an intangible cultural heritage of the country.

The pyrotechnics of Liuyang first appeared in the Tang and Song dynasties, including making fireworks and firecrackers. The creatively-designed fireworks came in exquisite packages. When lit, they were bright and colorful, very impressive, creating a joyful and fantastic atmosphere. Traditional manual techniques were adopted in the making of fireworks and firecrackers in Liuyang. Locally available materials like handmade paper, niter, sulphur, charcoal powder and red and white earth etc were used as raw materials. There were a total of 12 procedure and 72 processing steps. Along with the advancement of modern science and technology, people in this industry have successfully developed safe, reliable and environmentally-friendly firecrackers, cold light fireworks, daytime fireworks and those for indoor and stage use as well as other high-tech new products, leading the pyrotechnics of the world. Meanwhile, the ignition of firecrackers or fireworks has been changed from traditional manual lighting to remote control, with the whole exploding procedure under computer control.