The eastern China city of Hangzhou has had a glorious night, with a fireworks display setting the skies ablaze as part of the 2004 West Lake Expo. Over 800-thousand people from Hangzhou and beyond attended this annual event.

The fireworks display over West Lake, 14 times the size of Tiananmen Square, is one of the major events of the annual West Lake Expo and one of the largest in China, CCTV.com reported Monday.

The 5-part show features Chinese fireworks and those from 10 other countries. Many are being seen in China for the first time. Zhu Jianping, vice director of Hangzhou Gardening Bureau, said, "This year more countries joined the fireworks show. There is also more varieties and quantity."

For an evening's entertainment, nearly a hundred workers spent four days laying down the launchers and setting up the platforms on West Lake. The 50-minute show cost 3 million yuan (US$362,300) covered by sponsors and ticket sales. More than 10 thousand people at the lakeside resort and another 800 thousand crammed around the lake to watch. It was a time to celebrate.

Altogether 32,000 fireworks were launched, putting the Hangzhou skyline into sharp relief. The highest exploded 250 meters up, to span another 200 meters. The highlight was a brilliant cascade pouring down a scaffold the size of a football field, into 2 meters of water. For the spectators, it seemed night was no longer night.

The Hangzhou fireworks spedctacular, one of the largest in China, is a chance for both locals and tourists to enjoy the city's renowned leisurely lifestyle. And more than that, it's a chance for the people of Hangzhou to show their pride in West Lake and their city.

(CCTV.com October 18, 2004)