Fireworks for Chinese New Year

This was my first Chinese New Year in China.  I was warned that the coming of the new year sounded like being in a war-zone.  Please don't take that comparison too seriously, but in all reality, the BOOOOOMMMS and BAAAANNNGS were quite impressive.  The fireworks are set off mostly by individual families and groups of friends so the are spread out all around the city.  From the time it got dark until well into the morning, the noise surrounded my apartment.  I was grateful for being up on the 25th floor, as it was a perfect place to take in the sights.  Around midnight, the fireworks were going off all together, creating multiple sparkly stars like this one.