Gong He Xin Xi!

If you're going to arrive in China for the first time, New Year's Eve is a good time to do so.  Last time I was abroad I missed out on the fireworks, but this more than made up for it.  The attitude to health and safety here is quite refreshing, and there were fireworks being let off everywhere - on pavements, from balconies... I very much enjoyed the display outside the hotel at midnight, and was pleased to have been pelted slightly by shrapnel.  It very much added to the whole experience.

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