Robs' Blog: incoherencies from an american ex-pat in exotic beijing,
  or: how i learned to stop worrying and love bureaucracy

from a letter left in my room by the hotel management:

  The 15th day of the Lunar Year Year marks the end of the Spring Festival celebrations.
  Also known as Yuan Xiao, it is regarded as a day of bliss and reunion, as family
  members and loved ones gather under the first full moon of the lunar calendar.

  To mark this auspicious occasion, we have arranged for a traditional and lively lion
  dance performance. The lion dance show is one experience that is not to be missed
  during the Spring Festival celebrations. To add on to the festivities of this joyful event,
  firecrackers will be set off.

the fireworks have been going off in force since darkness fell. some that sound like hard hail, others that sound like cannon fire. this is the last day that the lighting of fireworks will be allowed inside this area of the city, and people are taking advantage of it.

note: those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder relating to gunfire or artillery shelling are best to avoid beijing during this period. that is, from a few days before the chinese new year through yuan xiao.