The US has Nothing On China's Fireworks

China is the home of innumerable inventions.  Unfortunately, due to protectionist policies, many of these never achieved international attention as they never left the countries borders.  However, the Chinese still undoubtedly excel in one aspect--fireworks.  Today is the Chinese Lantern Festival, the 15th day of the Lunar year and, thus, the end of the Spring Festival.  Today Chinese eat rice balls called Yuan Xiao (I tried to find them, but after asking at 3 restaurants to no avail, I settled on rice and potatoes :-P ), they go to the parks and try and solve riddles to win a decorative lantern (in some cities, there are lanterns displayed, each with a difficult riddle.  If you can solve the riddle, the lantern is yours to keep), and watch a spectacular fireworks show. 

The most amusing/startling part of the celebration are the fireworks.  The actual city-sponsored show is unbeaten.  Even our 4th of July fireworks struggle to compare.  But the fireworks neither end nor begin with the city's demonstration.  Citizens light fireworks and firecrackers all festival long (yes, that means all 15 days of Chinese new year).  It sounds like a constant attack on the city or a Chinese Harlem, but it's simply families celebrating.

In my naivete, I genuinely worry that it is an attack or a gun shot, but, alas, it's solely a family celebrating the festival or celebrating a birthday, wedding, or good test score.  (Yes, fireworks continue all year long as they accompany any form of celebration.)  Now I just need to figure out where they buy all these fireworks off-season. 

Only an amazing storm of fireworks could illuminate a sky with such brilliance.  Don't miss the swarm of people both in front of and behind me.  The Chinese can do both fireworks and crowds better than any. 

The firework display was in the Zhengzhou CBD, about 2 minutes from my apartment.  It is completely indicative of Chinese real estate--there is intense development but only sparse occupancy.