By Jim Boyce

(© Kisten)
Happy Year of the Rat to readers of this blog. In the new year, Grape Wall of China will continue giving the views of wine distributors, makers, consultants, academics and consumers here in the world’s largest market.

By the way, when people ask me about “must see” attractions in Beijing, I include the Chinese New Year fireworks. Last year, I made this video of dozens of fireworks displays going off at midnight. (The structure at right is Workers’ Stadium, which will host soccer matches during the Olympics). Click the photo to get the video.

The second video shows fireworks exploding about five meters in front of my apartment’s windows. The clip is a bit long, but then again, the fireworks are unrelenting, and it gives you an idea of the evening’s intensity.

Happy Chinese New Year!

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