This is the moment spectacular dragon-shaped clouds appear to rise above a mountain ridge, leaving stunned onlookers comparing the fiery formation to mythical beasts and Godzilla.
The footage was filmed over Gujian Mountain in Qijiang District, Chongqing, a sprawling municipality in south-west China, on 18th July.
The video shows layers of rolling clouds rippling across the evening sky as their jagged outlines resemble the heads of dragons emerging from the clouds.
Against the deep red glow of the setting sun, the towering formation also appears to some viewers to resemble the giant movie monster Godzilla.
The striking display lasted for around 20 minutes, unusually long for this type of cloud formation, making it especially remarkable for photographers and spectators.
The person who filmed the scene said: "The sunset was already beautiful, but then these layers started rolling over the mountain ridge.
"It honestly looked exactly like multiple dragons poking their heads out from the clouds at the same time.
"It was incredibly shocking to see with the naked eye."
Social media users quickly suggested the clouds were a rare example of Kelvin-Helmholtz waves, which form when layers of air travelling at different speeds create distinctive rolling, wave-like patterns.
Meteorologists say Gujian Mountain's elevation likely helped shape the formation by forcing warm, moisture-laden air upwards, cleanly separating faster and slower-moving air currents.
The dramatic display unfolded as the Chongqing Municipal Meteorological Defense Office had already issued warnings for severe convective weather, thunderstorms and possible urban flooding across the region.
The unstable atmosphere and abundant moisture associated with the storm system are the same conditions that can produce Kelvin-Helmholtz wave clouds.
After the footage spread online, reporters contacted the Chongqing Meteorological Bureau for an explanation.
A member of staff said: "We have received several inquiries regarding the unusual wave-like cloud formations over Qijiang District.
"While our standard tracking focus remains on regional rainstorm and flood safety alerts, our meteorological analysts will look further into the specific localised air pressure shifts that triggered this distinct shape."
The dramatic footage was widely shared online, with thousands of viewers continuing to debate whether the clouds looked more like dragons or Godzilla.
One user wrote: "At first, I thought people were exaggerating, but those jagged crests lit up by the red sunset look exactly like Shin Godzilla’s dorsal fins emerging from the mist. All we are missing is the atomic breath!"
Another said: "It doesn't just look like a dragon, it looks like a whole line of Chinese dragons waiting in sequence over the mountain ridge. It feels like a literal scene out of ancient mythology."
A third added: "Nature is wild, but my pattern-seeking brain immediately jumped to Godzilla taking over southwest China. If I saw that rolling over the peaks, I'd expect to hear the movie theme music playing."
Godzilla is a fictional Japanese monster character, often portrayed as a giant prehistoric creature that attacks cities and is known for its powerful atomic breath.
(Marija Stojkoska/Newsflash)
