I`m in Beijing (it`s 2310) and the fireworks are going off like the London blitz. This happens every night from about 6pm. It`a a complete cacophony and the sound reverberates around the skyscrapers making a terrific noise. It literally sounds like being in a war zone. Sometimes they start again in the morning (although why anyone would want to see fireworks during the day is a mystery to me). It`s always murky and gloomy here and now there is even more pollution to add to the mix. I will remember this when the moans start about Guy Fawkes night next November.
Boxtops - we arrived the morning of NY Day and I think it started the night before. I think there are 4 days of major celebrations and then it calms down a bit but goes on for a couple of weeks (without the fireworks, hopefully)