Dharamshala — The fireworks display in the mountainous areas of Gyantse County, Shigatse City, Tibet have drawn criticism from many Tibetans. They believe the actions of Chinese artists have damaged Tibet's fragile ecological environment, harming wildlife, water sources, and grasslands. One Tibetan stated: "This fireworks show has destroyed the last pristine land on Earth—Tibet."
Chinese artist Cai Guoqiang, supported by Arc'teryx, launched a large fireworks display so-called the “Rising Dragon” on the mountain called Chaqiong Gangri (查琼岗日) in the Ralung region of Gyangze County, Shigatse, Tibet, on September 19, 2025. This action sparked thousands of online criticisms from Tibetans living in Tibet and in exile, as well as from Chinese people. All criticised these reckless and thoughtless actions that led to the destruction of Tibet's pristine snow-capped mountains and fragile environment.
Tibetan writer Tsering Worse wrote, “in the extremely fragile environment of the plateau, large-scale explosive fireworks inevitably bring noise, chemical residue, and air pollution. Even a few minutes of spectacle can disrupt the water sources and wildlife of the snowy region. This arrogant “artist,” backed by capital and power, using the mountains and rivers of Tibet as mere props for an ideologically charged display of self-aggrandizement. After just a few minutes of relentless explosions, the Tibetan Plateau is left to bear ecological wounds and cultural humiliation."
A 30-year-old Tibetan said, "These fireworks show a total lack of respect for our culture and our environment. We Tibetans do not destroy our environment. Even when we don't shout loudly in the mountains, it scares animals, birds, and other creatures, but this Chinese artist and Arc'teryx, with the permission of the local Chinese authorities, set off large fireworks, disrupting the lives of animals, causing the snow on the mountain to melt, destroying the environment, and creating air pollution."
Another Tibetan said, "The fireworks set off by this Chinese artist and Arc'teryx are causing us all pain. They have destroyed the grasslands, plants, birds, animals, and air of the Tibetan mountains, the purest place on earth. Even though this artist is very famous, but when he destroyed this pure mountain that had been preserved for generations, did you feel fear? We are afraid to set off fireworks during Tibetan New Year, but you (the artist) set them off in the Himalayan mountains, our sacred mountains. There is a Tibetan proverb that says, “When you destroy a high mountain, you must pay in gold; when you destroy and pollute a pure river, you must pay in silver.” What should you do now? We always say that protecting the environment is everyone’s responsibility, so we are all the responsibility to protect the environment."
A Chinese man who lived in the Tibet said: "This dragon-shaped firework was set off on the highest mountain in the world, a place where the environment is extremely fragile. Once destroyed, it is very difficult to restore. Animals are already affected by human actions and air pollution, and the firework has exacerbated the damage. The government said it cleaned up the remains of the fireworks, but how can you clean up without leaving a trace? These colored powders will settle into the soil, then into the water, and animals and humans will ingest them. You (the government) cannot clean this up. The government also said it moved the animals before the fireworks, but how can you move all the animals that have never left the mountains? It is impossible to move all the animals, and this action disrupted lives of the animals."
The Chinese artist and Arc'teryx have apologised for their actions, but the damage has already been done. That's why people continue to criticize their behavior and ignorance, as well as their lack of responsibility toward Tibet's fragile environment.
