Artist builds 500m 'stairway to heaven' with fireworks in China

Reports say it took the artist 21 years to plan and build the sky ladder

As an expression of love to his grandmother, a Chinese artist built a 500 metre high ladder with fireworks protruding into the sky in Quanzhou.

The staircase was made by Cai Guoqiang using metal wire and aluminium, after which he filled it with gun powder and attached it to a hot air balloon. The balloon itself was made with special material and launched from a boat off a nearby island.

Although the 'sky ladder' lasted a mere 80 seconds, it took the artist 21 years to plan and build it, according to a report. The first attempt was made to launch a similar balloon in the sky in 1994 but two attempts were in vain following strong winds.

Cai, now based in New York, is also the artist who designed the spectacular fireworks to open the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Further, reports quoted Cai as saying that he put up the firework ladder display to thank his grandmother who worked hard to help him realise his dream of becoming an artist.

“This is the hometown of my grandma, who supported my artistic dream by selling seafood. I’ve always hoped to come back here one day, to set off the most beautiful fireworks for her,” Cai was reported as saying.

The video of the firework ladder quickly went viral across social media in China after which the Chinese called it "a ladder to heaven."

WATCH: Chinese artist builds stairway to heaven with ladder of fireworks http://t.co/7waRut6JlA pic.twitter.com/3IXDk2b0EJ

— THAT'S (@ThatsOnline) August 12, 2015

Amazing Chinese #StairwayToHeaven Fireworks! [Video] - http://t.co/jhSxGNynz1 via @yardhype #Yardhype #YH pic.twitter.com/LIV00RoT5R

— yardhype.com (@YardHype) August 12, 2015

Stairway to heaven: Fireworks artist creates stunning ladder in mid-air (VIDEO): As it turns out, there really is a… http://t.co/o48uHDgJvW

— AnonyMiss (@AnonyMiss_) August 11, 2015

Watch video here

This article originally appeared on Hindustan Times