0:00:13 > 0:00:17Yahoo! Welcome to China!
0:00:17 > 0:00:18It's New Year's Eve
0:00:18 > 0:00:22and we're here at Houhai Lake in China's capital city, Beijing.
0:00:22 > 0:00:24When the lake is frozen over,
0:00:24 > 0:00:28families love to come and have fun on the ice during the holidays.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31Now, the Spring Festival, as it's known in China,
0:00:31 > 0:00:35sees the largest annual mass migration of people on the planet
0:00:35 > 0:00:39as over a sixth of the world's populace travel home
0:00:39 > 0:00:42to celebrate with their loved ones.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46And the most significant night of the festivities is New Year's Eve,
0:00:46 > 0:00:48or Chuxi, as it's known in Mandarin.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51Traditionally, this is when families get together to eat,
0:00:51 > 0:00:53drink and celebrate,
0:00:53 > 0:00:55so Dave and I are going to find out what it's like to be
0:00:55 > 0:00:57at the world's biggest party,
0:00:57 > 0:01:02as over a billion people sit down to the most important dinner
0:01:02 > 0:01:03of the year.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05And here's what's coming up.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10Over the next hour, we'll be based here in Beijing,
0:01:10 > 0:01:14finding out how Chinese people experience New Year's Eve
0:01:14 > 0:01:18as they take time off and relax with friends and family.
0:01:22 > 0:01:23Good luck for everybody.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25Down south in Hong Kong,
0:01:25 > 0:01:28Kate Humble will be at the Wong Tai Sin Temple
0:01:28 > 0:01:32as it prepares for its busiest night of the year.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35- Is it like this every year? - Yes, every year.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43Ant Anstead visits a distillery in the heart of China...
0:01:43 > 0:01:44Wow!
0:01:44 > 0:01:48..to find out about the world's best-selling spirit.
0:01:48 > 0:01:49Happy New Year.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56Jing Lusi will be behind the scenes at the Chunwan Gala,
0:01:56 > 0:01:59the most watched annual television show on earth.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02Through these doors is the main stage,
0:02:02 > 0:02:04and they're about to do the performance of a lifetime.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10And we'll be seeing what a traditional New Year's Eve is like
0:02:10 > 0:02:13with a Chinese family right here in Beijing.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17- Chinese New Year.- Magical. - It is great.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19Mountains of food will be eaten...
0:02:20 > 0:02:22..a giant bell will be rung...
0:02:24 > 0:02:27..and thousands of firecrackers will hit the night sky.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32And we'll be there to experience it all first-hand.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35- ALL:- Xinnian Kuaile!
0:02:35 > 0:02:38- ALL:- Xinnian Kuaile!
0:02:38 > 0:02:40- BOTH:- Xinnian Kuaile!
0:02:40 > 0:02:43Welcome to Chinese New Year!
0:03:06 > 0:03:10For the Chinese people, family time together is precious,
0:03:10 > 0:03:12so they don't waste any opportunity
0:03:12 > 0:03:15to get out and have fun on Houhai Lake.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17And you don't have to be an ice skater to have a go.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20There's all sorts of bonkers equipment you can rent.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24You can get an ice sled. You can get ice rickshaws.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27- Yeah.- But, being hairy bikers, predictable as ever,
0:03:27 > 0:03:29we've gone for ice bikes.
0:03:29 > 0:03:30- Hey!- Yay!
0:03:32 > 0:03:34But before we go any further,
0:03:34 > 0:03:38here's a few things that you need to know about Beijing.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41The word "Beijing" actually means "Northern Capital".
0:03:43 > 0:03:46The city lies at the north-east of the country,
0:03:46 > 0:03:48surrounded by desert and mountains.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55Beijing is China's second-largest city
0:03:55 > 0:03:57and home to 21 million people
0:03:57 > 0:04:01and some of the most jaw-dropping architecture on the planet.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07It's the nation's cultural, political and financial centre,
0:04:07 > 0:04:10and an economic powerhouse.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13Millions pour into the capital from all over the country
0:04:13 > 0:04:16every year to seek their fortune.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24Beijing has transformed enormously over the last decade to meet demand.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29And some of its old ways have changed, too.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32MUSIC: Nine Million Bicycles by Katie Melua
0:04:36 > 0:04:41Well, you see, the Chinese, they love their cars.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43And, well, to be fair, you don't see that many cyclists any more.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46Ah, but hopefully things are going to change.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49Due to a government bike-sharing initiative,
0:04:49 > 0:04:51they want to put people back on the bike
0:04:51 > 0:04:54and also make cycling, well, cool again.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56HE RINGS BELL Oh, yeah.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02Beijing is an important player on the global stage.
0:05:02 > 0:05:03In 2022,
0:05:03 > 0:05:07it will become the only city in the world ever to have hosted
0:05:07 > 0:05:10both the Summer and the Winter Olympic Games.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14Its growing wealth and dynamism
0:05:14 > 0:05:17has created an incredible population explosion
0:05:17 > 0:05:20in an already expanding city.
0:05:20 > 0:05:26In ten years, the number of people in Beijing has grown by 44%.
0:05:26 > 0:05:32It's predicted the city's population will be 50 million by 2050,
0:05:32 > 0:05:36which means every New Year's Eve celebration in Beijing
0:05:36 > 0:05:38will just keep getting bigger.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58This is what Chinese New Year is all about.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00Loads of eating,
0:06:00 > 0:06:03preferably surrounded by your nearest and dearest.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10And the numbers are pretty impressive, too,
0:06:10 > 0:06:13there being over 400 million Chinese households.
0:06:13 > 0:06:18And tonight, we're sitting down to what's known as the reunion dinner,
0:06:18 > 0:06:21the most important meal of the year.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23And traditionally, many of these are in people's homes,
0:06:23 > 0:06:25a bit like our Christmas dinner,
0:06:25 > 0:06:29but there's a lot of socialising goes on during the Spring Festival.
0:06:29 > 0:06:30Now, as a result,
0:06:30 > 0:06:35the demand for restaurants right across Chinese cities is huge,
0:06:35 > 0:06:38and street vendors in Beijing are no exception.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41They're doing a roaring trade.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47This is Wangfujing Market,
0:06:47 > 0:06:50where you can get any delicacy you want,
0:06:50 > 0:06:52from silkworms to scorpions...
0:06:52 > 0:06:55Oh, to centipedes and spiders, Dave.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58- Lovely. Mmm.- Oh, look, there's something that jumps.
0:06:59 > 0:07:05I'm not entirely sure whether I would prefer, just, like, a prawn.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08- What's a prawn? - Cockroach of the sea.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10- Cockroach of the sea, with a fancy suit on.- Yeah.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13Whatever floats your boat, it's here, because, you know what?
0:07:13 > 0:07:16It's New Year. You're home to your family,
0:07:16 > 0:07:18and you're going to have a lovely time.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22To be fair, though, dude,
0:07:22 > 0:07:24all these foods are for special occasions, aren't they?
0:07:24 > 0:07:27And I'm just wondering what the Chinese equivalent is to,
0:07:27 > 0:07:29say, well, like, you know, a bag of crisps.
0:07:29 > 0:07:30It's funny you should say that,
0:07:30 > 0:07:33- because I've just popped down to the Chinese newsagents...- Really?
0:07:33 > 0:07:36- ..and got us a few snacks. - Oh, nice one, dude.
0:07:36 > 0:07:37Have a crack at this one.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40What do you think of that? I quite like it.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44- What's that?- That's dried squid.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46- Oh!- It's nice, it's savoury. It's all right.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- I quite like that. - Guess what this is, mate.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54Oh, yeah.
0:07:54 > 0:07:55- Chicken feet.- Bingo!
0:07:55 > 0:07:57Got it in one.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00Now, this one, I'm really rather fond of.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02This...
0:08:02 > 0:08:04- is meat floss.- Ooh!
0:08:04 > 0:08:09Also known as hot strip, its proper name is latiao.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13- Now, latiao is the most popular snack for under-25s in China.- Right.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17And the market is worth an estimated 50 billion yuan per year.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19- Crumbs. That's a lot of hot strip, that, dude.- Yeah.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22- It's nice, though.- Well, this market is just getting busy now,
0:08:22 > 0:08:25but it's nothing compared to Beijing's
0:08:25 > 0:08:26biggest wholesale food market.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28It's massive,
0:08:28 > 0:08:31and it's just getting geared up for New Year's Eve celebrations.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33- Shall we go?- Yeah!
0:08:37 > 0:08:40If there's one place that's the very soul
0:08:40 > 0:08:42of Beijing's food culture, this must be it.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46Imagine if all the fresh food
0:08:46 > 0:08:50consumed by a city was all put together in one place.
0:08:50 > 0:08:55Well, feast your eyes on this - the Xinfadi food market.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00The biggest wholesale market in Asia.
0:09:05 > 0:09:10This mammoth market sprawls over one square kilometre.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14It provides 80% of all the agricultural produce
0:09:14 > 0:09:16consumed in Beijing.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19It's like a town that's dedicated to food.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22- What could be better?- Nothing!
0:09:24 > 0:09:26This food town has constant food traffic.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32And to keep Beijing's 21 million people fed,
0:09:32 > 0:09:34it has food neighbourhoods, too.
0:09:34 > 0:09:39Some produce is so popular it has its own street.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41Guess where we are.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43Pumpkin Street.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46This is Onion Street.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50- BOTH:- And this is Marrow Street.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52Unsurprisingly.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57We're in the best market in Beijing.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01It would be criminal not to cook up a traditional New Year feast.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04Luckily, we're going to have a helping hand.
0:10:04 > 0:10:09Local restaurateur Sue Zhou is from a long line of chefs,
0:10:09 > 0:10:13so she knows old-school Chinese cookery inside out.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16Do you love coming here?
0:10:16 > 0:10:17Yes, it's really, really nice to be here.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20It's a huge market, and you can get anything here.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23- Like, anything you can think of, you can get it here.- Yeah?
0:10:23 > 0:10:28The first thing Sue wants to show us is a Beijing cookery basic -
0:10:28 > 0:10:30the cabbage.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34- Why have you brought us here, Sue? - So, in Chinese, we call this baicai.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36The cabbage. Chinese cabbage.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39And the reason why we love to eat it during Chinese New Year
0:10:39 > 0:10:41is if you pronounce it slightly different,
0:10:41 > 0:10:44it means "100 fortunes" in Chinese.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47- It's more like a poem than a meal. - It is!
0:10:51 > 0:10:53So, we're going to cook a hotpot.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56Is it like a really traditional dish here?
0:10:56 > 0:10:59It is, yeah. OK. Success with the shopping.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01- Perfect.- Brilliant. Can't wait. Thanks.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05Sue's given us a list of hotpot ingredients to find in the market -
0:11:05 > 0:11:08lotus root, mushrooms and beef.
0:11:13 > 0:11:14There's no stalls, as such.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18The trucks rock up, they sell the veg, they go home.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20That's how it works.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22- He's sold out.- Have you sold out?
0:11:22 > 0:11:24Oh, good. Very good.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26- Hello, how are you?- How are you?
0:11:26 > 0:11:30- Very good. How are you?- Very good. - Yeah!
0:11:30 > 0:11:33Do you know what? There's a real happy atmosphere here, isn't there?
0:11:33 > 0:11:35It's lush.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40So, Sue wants us to get lotus root.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44Look at that. That man is, like, living in a swamp
0:11:44 > 0:11:45of his own making.
0:11:45 > 0:11:46That's remarkable.
0:11:46 > 0:11:50- Go on, Dave, get stuck in.- Right. Can I have three?
0:11:50 > 0:11:52- Dave?- Yeah.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55Now, Dave calls this a hard-nosed haggling technique.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57How much? Oh!
0:11:57 > 0:12:01I call it handing over the dosh, no questions asked.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04- 20? Oh, it's two quid, I suppose. - Yeah, yeah.- Not bad.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08Just as well it's as reasonably priced as it is fresh.
0:12:08 > 0:12:09Thank you. Thank you.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12Onto the next item on Sue's list...
0:12:12 > 0:12:14mushrooms.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16Look at them, Si. They're like velvet.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19They look like people's ears.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22You know, like you when you played rugby, your cauliflower ears.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24Get loads, these are superb.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28There's one more item left to buy,
0:12:28 > 0:12:34and that means heading deep into the heart of the market.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37This is Beijing's meat hangar.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43In the West, we tend to design a meal around our choice of meat,
0:12:43 > 0:12:47but traditional Chinese cooks use meat more like a garnish.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49- There's such a lot of choice. - There is.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51Now, I know my beef,
0:12:51 > 0:12:56but finding the right cut for Sue's recipe isn't as easy as you'd think.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59It's hard to recognise the joints.
0:12:59 > 0:13:00That silverside, isn't it?
0:13:00 > 0:13:03- Silverside would be good, wouldn't it?- Yeah. We could do that, yeah.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06Can we have this, please? Thank you.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09- Thank you. Happy New Year. - Thank you.
0:13:09 > 0:13:10Great.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13Well, it was a bit of a mission, but we finally tracked down
0:13:13 > 0:13:16and bought everything on the list.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20And once we find Sue's restaurant, we can get cooking.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22Tucked away in the depths of Old Beijing,
0:13:22 > 0:13:25Sue's place is the perfect homely spot to enjoy
0:13:25 > 0:13:27a traditional New Year hotpot.
0:13:29 > 0:13:30So, what would you like us to do?
0:13:30 > 0:13:32So, we're going to slice it up.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34- Just slice?- Yeah.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37As we chop up all those lovely Chinese veggies...
0:13:37 > 0:13:40- There it is, look at that. - The design of that is brilliant.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42It's like a hardened loofah.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45..we get a hearty broth on the boil.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47And then in goes our beef.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50Just, like, drop it in here.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52It's like a Chinese fondue.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55- Oh, no.- It's stuck there.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58The pot wants to have your piece of beef!
0:13:58 > 0:14:00It's sheer and utter genius, this.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02- It's theatre, isn't it?- It is.
0:14:02 > 0:14:03I think it's done, yeah.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06It's time to let the New Year feasting begin.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09- What are you guys going for?- Beef.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11THEY LAUGH
0:14:12 > 0:14:14- Oh!- Hot?
0:14:14 > 0:14:17It's hotpot!
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Is it true that the Chinese like a bit of chew,
0:14:21 > 0:14:22like a little bite in food?
0:14:22 > 0:14:25Yes, we call it QQ, which is like chewiness.
0:14:25 > 0:14:26- Yeah?- Like, if it bounces back...
0:14:26 > 0:14:29- Yeah.- ..that texture, we really like.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33Cooking and eating together at the table is just fantastic.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35No wonder this is a New Year favourite.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37- This would be a great thing to do at home.- Mm.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40Just get yourself a little burner, a little pot,
0:14:40 > 0:14:43get the family around, don't burn yourself.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45It might not be as good as at Sue's though.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47Definitely, undoubtedly not.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53Another popular market at Chinese New Year
0:14:53 > 0:14:55is Beijing's flower market.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59The Chinese love to buy blooms during the Spring Festival
0:14:59 > 0:15:01to decorate their homes.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05Thousands of flowers are brought into Chinese cities every day
0:15:05 > 0:15:06at this time of year.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10Kate Humble has been exploring
0:15:10 > 0:15:13some of the biggest flower farms in China.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20- KATE HUMBLE:- In the far south of the country lies Kunming,
0:15:20 > 0:15:22China's Spring City.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30Its warm and temperate climate has made this city the centre
0:15:30 > 0:15:32of the flower industry.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35Kunming and the surrounding area
0:15:35 > 0:15:39supplies 70% of all the flowers sold in China.
0:15:40 > 0:15:46I've come to one of the largest flower farms in the area, Jinyuan.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48I've never seen anything like it.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50It's more like a factory than a farm.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53Every single thing grown here is grown under plastic
0:15:53 > 0:15:57in these polytunnels, and they stretch for 500 acres.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59It's remarkable.
0:16:03 > 0:16:09The farm produces an unbelievable seven million flowers every year.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13Demand peaks in the run-up to Chinese New Year.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17During this time, they buy flowers like a gift
0:16:17 > 0:16:19and to celebrate.
0:16:19 > 0:16:24- You've got beautiful yellow, red, pink behind us.- Yeah.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27Is there a particular colour that's particularly important
0:16:27 > 0:16:29for Chinese New Year?
0:16:29 > 0:16:31Red.
0:16:31 > 0:16:36It's a lovely place to work, surrounded by beautiful flowers.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39- You feel very happy..- Yeah. - ..the whole day.
0:16:43 > 0:16:49This is big business, worth up to 30 million Chinese yuan per year.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51That's over £3 million.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56This one?
0:16:57 > 0:16:59That one. OK.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01They need to be...
0:17:01 > 0:17:04They need to be the same length?
0:17:04 > 0:17:06Right down there, yeah?
0:17:06 > 0:17:07OK. Got it.
0:17:07 > 0:17:12These ladies have been cutting roses all their working lives.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15They live locally to the farm, and apparently,
0:17:15 > 0:17:19they cut between 3,000 and 5,000 roses every morning.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21Right down there?
0:17:23 > 0:17:26I asked them if they grow flowers at home, but they don't.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29Vegetables - much more practical.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33This one?
0:17:39 > 0:17:44So, the harvesting happens just as the heads are starting to open up.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48And they're cut really far down so you get these lovely long stems.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50And there seems to be a way of bunching them,
0:17:50 > 0:17:52which I think I might have messed up already.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04Once the roses are cut, they come in here to be sorted,
0:18:04 > 0:18:06and that's what I'm doing.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08Basically, they're sorted by stem length,
0:18:08 > 0:18:10and once that's happened
0:18:10 > 0:18:14they get moved over to the packing area.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17And they're packed in sort of... carefully wrapped in cardboard,
0:18:17 > 0:18:20so you have a line of five blooms, cardboard folds over,
0:18:20 > 0:18:23another five blooms, and that's one pack.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25All really carefully protected.
0:18:31 > 0:18:3480% of the farm's roses are sold back in the city
0:18:34 > 0:18:38at the Kunming International Flora Auction Trading Centre -
0:18:38 > 0:18:40one of the biggest auctions in Asia.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49This is where wholesalers go to buy large quantities of flowers
0:18:49 > 0:18:52at cheap prices.
0:18:52 > 0:18:57This is the main flower auction in Yunnan,
0:18:57 > 0:18:59and flowers from all over the province will come here.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02There are about 100 different varieties,
0:19:02 > 0:19:04and as it gets closer to Chinese New Year,
0:19:04 > 0:19:09the pace just picks up exponentially.
0:19:09 > 0:19:14They've had to bring in 500 students just to go through all the flowers,
0:19:14 > 0:19:15count them, check them,
0:19:15 > 0:19:19and pack them into these orange crates.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23The smell here is unbelievable.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25It's not highly perfumed,
0:19:25 > 0:19:30but it's just this amazing smell of, kind of, fresh-cut wood.
0:19:30 > 0:19:31It's just wonderful.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37This vast space serves as a viewing room
0:19:37 > 0:19:39which gives potential buyers the opportunity
0:19:39 > 0:19:42to inspect the flowers before bidding on them.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45What tells you that these are good and that you want to buy them?
0:19:55 > 0:20:01In 2014, over 750 million fresh-cut flowers
0:20:01 > 0:20:03were sold through here.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12I'm used to agricultural auctions,
0:20:12 > 0:20:15but this is quite unlike anything I've ever seen before.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21This is an absolutely fascinating process.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24I don't think I've ever been to an auction like this.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27I'm used to kind of buying sheep.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Here, it's a bit like taking part in some sort of weird game show.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32Everyone's sitting in front of these little consoles.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35There is a man talking, but you have to wear headphones to listen to him.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37And, obviously, I don't understand a word he's saying.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45Unlike auctions that we're used to in Britain, this is a Dutch auction.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51This means that the auction begins at a high asking price,
0:20:51 > 0:20:53which is lowered until it reaches a price
0:20:53 > 0:20:55that someone is willing to pay.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00The orange dot represents the price.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04When the dot stops, someone has bought a batch of blooms.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08On average, a lot is sold every three seconds.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12But it's crucial to hold your nerve until the price is right.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15There's a real sense of concentration.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17Quite a lot of smoking going on.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21There's quite a lot of sort of nervous energy in the air.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25The cheapest flowers can go for as little as 1p,
0:21:25 > 0:21:28but these bidders will be buying in the hundreds and thousands.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32Luckily, to help make sense of the bewildering numbers and lights,
0:21:32 > 0:21:36I've got some help from a seasoned bidder.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39- This is Mr Xiang. Mr Xiang, hello. - Hello.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41He's kind of adopted me. He's been showing me how to do it.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44And very unwisely, has lent me his credit card.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49Mr Xiang is buying a variety of roses for his store in Beijing.
0:21:52 > 0:21:53What do you think?
0:21:57 > 0:21:58OK.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00Only on number one? All right.
0:22:00 > 0:22:01Yeah.
0:22:08 > 0:22:09I've got one!
0:22:09 > 0:22:11Quite a lot of money.
0:22:13 > 0:22:20It appears I've just bought Mr Xiang 200 Carola roses at 10p each.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24I'm going to have to walk home at this rate.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26All the way back to the UK!
0:22:34 > 0:22:36It's so quick!
0:22:39 > 0:22:41They're quick, these guys.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44At peak times, like in the run-up to the New Year,
0:22:44 > 0:22:48five million flowers can be sold here every day.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50That's over 3,000 every minute.
0:22:52 > 0:22:53Yes!
0:22:55 > 0:22:57I've got 100 at .81.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00- Was that a good one?- Very good. - Very good?
0:23:02 > 0:23:04I could come and work for you, Mr Xiang.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06You'd have no money!
0:23:06 > 0:23:08Despite my help,
0:23:08 > 0:23:11Mr Xiang purchases between 6,000 to 7,000 roses
0:23:11 > 0:23:17at the total cost of 8,000 yuan, which is around £860.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23These flowers will be sold to customers the very next day,
0:23:23 > 0:23:26all ready for the New Year's Eve celebrations.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50Back in Beijing, we're in one of the oldest parts of the city,
0:23:50 > 0:23:51the Bell Tower.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55It's been on this site since 1420. That's nearly 600 years old.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59That's a long time. Look at the view. Wow!
0:23:59 > 0:24:02Now, look, Beijing has changed a lot,
0:24:02 > 0:24:04but it still has some of its ancient buildings.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08And what you can see right over there, that is the Drum Tower,
0:24:08 > 0:24:12which is in direct line of sight from here, the Bell Tower.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16The Bell Tower, it houses this gigantic bronze bell.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19It weighs in at a whopping 63 tonnes,
0:24:19 > 0:24:21and it plays a vitally significant part
0:24:21 > 0:24:24in the New Year's Eve celebrations.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28Precisely at 12 o'clock on the dot, it's struck.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31It's a bit like Beijing's Big Ben, and that lets the New Year in.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35Now, the bell is struck by a big wooden ram
0:24:35 > 0:24:36in the shape of a whale.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38It's struck 108 times,
0:24:38 > 0:24:41because that's significant as a lucky number for the Chinese.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45- Now, there is a point, though - we can't strike the bell.- Aye.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47The reason being that some time ago,
0:24:47 > 0:24:49the bell-ringers were practising.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52The city thought there was an earthquake, or some such disaster,
0:24:52 > 0:24:56so there's no ringing the bell until New Year's Eve.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59But, you know, it is an incredible feat of engineering.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02- Yeah.- First - this is 600 years ago -
0:25:02 > 0:25:06the bell, the model was made in butter and beeswax.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08How mad is that?! Butter and beeswax!
0:25:08 > 0:25:11And then a massive pit was dug,
0:25:11 > 0:25:15and they worked from the top to the bottom.
0:25:15 > 0:25:21They cast it, and poured 63 tonnes of molten bronze into that cast.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24- Amazing.- Well, ding-dong!
0:25:24 > 0:25:28And I for one can't wait to hear that bell sound on New Year's Eve.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31Talking of which, dude, we've got a party to get ready for.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38Across town, a local family
0:25:38 > 0:25:41have invited us to spend New Year's Eve with them,
0:25:41 > 0:25:43and they've already started their preparations.
0:25:47 > 0:25:52Like most Beijingers, Zhang Yen leads a busy modern life.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54But each spring,
0:25:54 > 0:25:58she and her family take a break to indulge in the traditions
0:25:58 > 0:26:02that make this time of year so special.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06Chinese New Year is the most important festival
0:26:06 > 0:26:08in Chinese culture.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11It is a festival that requires the whole family to get together,
0:26:11 > 0:26:14so it gives us a concept of reunion.
0:26:17 > 0:26:22Me and my husband are going to celebrate together with my parents,
0:26:22 > 0:26:25and my sister, her whole family.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28In the first five days of the New Year,
0:26:28 > 0:26:30we're not supposed to do any cleaning,
0:26:30 > 0:26:35so, before that, the whole house needs to be thoroughly cleaned,
0:26:35 > 0:26:38and everyone in the family should get involved.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41This year is special to our family
0:26:41 > 0:26:45cos we have a few monkeys in the family,
0:26:45 > 0:26:47cos this is the Year of the Monkey.
0:26:47 > 0:26:51My mum, my sister, my brother-in-law and uncle and auntie,
0:26:51 > 0:26:55they're all monkeys, so this is really their year.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00While Yen and her sister pick up some last-minute decorations
0:27:00 > 0:27:03from the market, the men of the family,
0:27:03 > 0:27:07including three-year-old Zhiyuan, have an important appointment.
0:27:07 > 0:27:12There is an interesting tradition that we need to have our haircut
0:27:12 > 0:27:15before the Chinese New Year day.
0:27:15 > 0:27:19But there's more to the traditional haircut than just looking your best.
0:27:19 > 0:27:25Because in China we believe that if we have a haircut in the first month
0:27:25 > 0:27:30of the New Year, then it will do harm to maternal uncle's health.
0:27:30 > 0:27:35I don't personally understand why it has anything with the poor uncle!
0:27:37 > 0:27:41As the Year of the Monkey is particularly important to Yen's family,
0:27:41 > 0:27:44they're having some special decorations handmade.
0:27:44 > 0:27:49Paper scrolls are normally put up on both sides of the doorway.
0:27:55 > 0:28:00There are certain strict rules to mirror the words.
0:28:00 > 0:28:05Like, if there is a character on the left-hand side saying "sky",
0:28:05 > 0:28:06for example,
0:28:06 > 0:28:10then they should be another one on the right-hand side saying "ground".
0:28:10 > 0:28:12And if there is rain, there's wind.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14If there is red, there's green.
0:28:15 > 0:28:20So, it's kind of a thing that brings good blessing
0:28:20 > 0:28:23and good wishes for the New Year.
0:28:23 > 0:28:27This is the pair for our family, and here is us,
0:28:27 > 0:28:31standing over the old year with three sheep.
0:28:31 > 0:28:36And this one says, "Welcoming the new spring with six monkeys."
0:28:43 > 0:28:45And Yen is with us now.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47Yen, thank you so very much for the invitation.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50Dave and I are really honoured that we're going to be celebrating
0:28:50 > 0:28:53- New Year with your family.- Welcome! - Thank you.- It's brilliant.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56- Now, we want to be the perfect guests.- Yeah.
0:28:56 > 0:28:57So what can we do to help?
0:28:57 > 0:29:01Um, you know, there's a saying in Chinese,
0:29:01 > 0:29:04for the New Year, especially.
0:29:07 > 0:29:08Oh, great.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10Meaning a dumpling with baijiu -
0:29:10 > 0:29:13the more you eat or drink, the richer you'll be.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16- Oh!- Ah!- Sounds like our sort of party, that!
0:29:16 > 0:29:18- It does. Baijiu.- Baijiu.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21So, if you don't mind bringing some baijiu in for us,
0:29:21 > 0:29:23- that would be perfect.- Of course.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26- Well, that's a perfect job for us, dude.- Absolutely!
0:29:26 > 0:29:29- We'll get the booze. Baijiu? - Yeah.- Right, OK, we'll do that.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32- And we'll see you a bit later on. - Yeah, see you later.- OK.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34Where's Dave gone? Oi!
0:29:37 > 0:29:41- Kingy!- What on earth are you doing?
0:29:41 > 0:29:43Kingy, I'm square dancing!
0:29:45 > 0:29:46- You're what?- I'm square dancing.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49Or technically speaking, it's guangchang wu.
0:29:49 > 0:29:50- Oh, is it really?- Yeah.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53What it is, it's what all the participants in the community
0:29:53 > 0:29:55like to do to keep fit in China.
0:29:55 > 0:29:56It started 20 years ago.
0:29:56 > 0:30:01And, you know, it's so popular now more than 100 million Chinese people
0:30:01 > 0:30:04practice guangchang wu every day.
0:30:04 > 0:30:06Oh, well, I can see that all that work on Strictly
0:30:06 > 0:30:07didn't go amiss then.
0:30:07 > 0:30:09No, not at all.
0:30:09 > 0:30:13So, it's kind of like t'ai chi and, like, swing dancing,
0:30:13 > 0:30:15that type of thing.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17Anyway, look, we've got a job on. Come here!
0:30:17 > 0:30:20- How's my dancing going? - Dancing, very good!
0:30:20 > 0:30:22- Hey!- Is it?- Very good, very good.
0:30:22 > 0:30:23Thank you.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25I'm going to take him away now
0:30:25 > 0:30:28- because we've got a job on for New Year's Eve.- Kung hei fat choi.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30Come on.
0:30:30 > 0:30:32We've got to go and buy booze...
0:30:32 > 0:30:34Listen, twinkle toes,
0:30:34 > 0:30:37you seem to have forgotten we've got to get a bottle of the local tipple,
0:30:37 > 0:30:40baijiu, to bring to the party tonight.
0:30:40 > 0:30:45You're right, Kingy. We have to be certain we don't take any old plonk.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48- Well, we want to make sure that we're buying the right baijiu... - Mm-hm.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50..so we need expert help, and we've found it
0:30:50 > 0:30:52in the shape of Simon Dang,
0:30:52 > 0:30:55who's the co-owner of this baijiu bar.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58Now, Simon, what is baijiu?
0:30:58 > 0:31:01Well, baijiu is a big classification,
0:31:01 > 0:31:05and literally it means white spirit.
0:31:05 > 0:31:09Let's say you had gin, vodka and, say, schnapps,
0:31:09 > 0:31:12all in one category called white spirits.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14Right. So, what do we have here, Simon?
0:31:14 > 0:31:15This is the strong aroma.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18- This is probably the most popular baijiu.- OK.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21It's from the Sichuan area, and it's blended and fermented,
0:31:21 > 0:31:23and blended and fermented.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26I think it has a complex flavour to it.
0:31:27 > 0:31:29Are these baijiu glasses?
0:31:29 > 0:31:31These are our official baijiu glasses, yes.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35Oh! What's "cheers"?
0:31:35 > 0:31:37- Ganbei.- Ganbei.- Ganbei!
0:31:37 > 0:31:40It means "dry glass" - you've got to drink the whole thing.
0:31:40 > 0:31:41Oh, great.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43- Oh, yeah!- I like that. - Very different.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46I love this little glass. I feel as though I'm in Lilliput.
0:31:46 > 0:31:50It's dangerous because you can drink a lot of them really fast.
0:31:50 > 0:31:53It goes down, it's got the fiery taste, but it has a cleaner finish.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56- Pear drops.- Marmite!
0:31:56 > 0:31:59- Oh, yeah!- I really like that.
0:31:59 > 0:32:03- I do. That's good.- That is good.
0:32:03 > 0:32:07And this one, you'll see, has the light aroma, the Fenjiu.
0:32:07 > 0:32:09So, this is popular in the North.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13It's made with also some rice and also sorghum.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17Well, very different on the nose.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19On the nose as well, yeah.
0:32:19 > 0:32:23And this one actually has more of a funky flavour to it, actually.
0:32:23 > 0:32:27Some people have described it as kind of like a blue cheese
0:32:27 > 0:32:30- kind of a taste to it.- Mm.- Mm.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33Whoa! Baijiu! Never mind baijiu, by jove!
0:32:33 > 0:32:34Flipping...
0:32:35 > 0:32:38Hee! That's, erm... Yes.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40There is a taste...
0:32:40 > 0:32:42- There's a small...- Like a burn, yes.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45There's a small explosion just underneath your diaphragm.
0:32:45 > 0:32:47- Phew!- I like that!
0:32:47 > 0:32:50- There is...- It does give you a small levitation, a lift.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53- I've just lost the power of speech. - It's great!
0:32:53 > 0:32:55Now, back to the job in hand.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58We need a baijiu that we can take on New Year's Eve,
0:32:58 > 0:33:00and we're cooking dumplings.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02Which one goes well with dumplings?
0:33:02 > 0:33:05I would recommend a light aroma,
0:33:05 > 0:33:09so you could go with this Shanxi Fenjiu.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11The light aroma is the most popular in the Beijing area.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13- Really?- Yeah.- Thanks, Simon.
0:33:13 > 0:33:17Righto, mission accomplished. It's the light baijiu for us.
0:33:17 > 0:33:19Meanwhile, Ant Anstead has been at
0:33:19 > 0:33:21one of the oldest distilleries in China
0:33:21 > 0:33:24to unravel the mysteries of baijiu.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30- ANT ANSTEAD:- Baijiu is a tradition that is centuries old...
0:33:31 > 0:33:33..and full of secrets.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44Sichuan Province is famous for its fiery food,
0:33:44 > 0:33:49but the city of Luzhou is also home to strong-aroma baijiu.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56Pure water from the surrounding Phoenix Mountains
0:33:56 > 0:33:59has long been a key part of the distilling process here.
0:34:01 > 0:34:05I've come to the country's longest continually running distillery,
0:34:05 > 0:34:07here in Luzhou Laojiao.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10Here, they've been making baijiu for nearly 450 years.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15The baijiu here is famous for its fierce liquorice flavours.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21Letting me in on the secret is Anna Chen.
0:34:22 > 0:34:26- This is our workshop.- Wow!
0:34:27 > 0:34:29What an amazing space.
0:34:29 > 0:34:31It's a real hive of activity.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35It's like a fiery inferno bursting with fumes.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42Laojiao baijiu is made out of a grain called sorghum
0:34:42 > 0:34:44which is constantly recycled.
0:34:47 > 0:34:51Used sorghum is mixed with fresh grains for each batch,
0:34:51 > 0:34:55meaning the drink has been flavoured with grains that are centuries-old.
0:34:57 > 0:35:02Water, yeast and microbes begin the fermentation process.
0:35:03 > 0:35:07- So, there's microbes...- Yes. - ..grain, yeast,
0:35:07 > 0:35:09and it gets put in the pit and it ferments?
0:35:09 > 0:35:11Yes.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14- So, how long does that take? - Three to six months.
0:35:16 > 0:35:20Some of these ancient pits have been in continuous use since 1573,
0:35:20 > 0:35:23and have passed through centuries of China's tumultuous history -
0:35:23 > 0:35:27from imperial dynasties to Chairman Mao's Little Red Book.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30After fermentation, the powerful blend is transferred
0:35:30 > 0:35:32into large distilling vats.
0:35:34 > 0:35:36So, basically, he's spreading it out inside here...
0:35:36 > 0:35:39- Yes.- ..and then this gets heated up and boiled.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41How long will it be in the boiler for?
0:35:41 > 0:35:43About 30 minutes.
0:35:43 > 0:35:45- Just 30 minutes?- Yes.
0:35:45 > 0:35:49Steam rises up through the fermented sorghum,
0:35:49 > 0:35:51and finally condenses into this mighty drink.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02I've been invited by one of the distillery workers
0:36:02 > 0:36:06to a local restaurant to learn the special art of drinking baijiu.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10Thanks to Confucius,
0:36:10 > 0:36:12etiquette is a vital part of Chinese life,
0:36:12 > 0:36:16so there are centuries-old rituals that need to be observed.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19So, you're the host. What's your role?
0:36:19 > 0:36:21As a host, we will toast three times.
0:36:21 > 0:36:23- Ganbei.- OTHERS:- Ganbei.- Ganbei.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30Once the host has toasted three times,
0:36:30 > 0:36:33it seems fair game for anyone else to raise their glass.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36Guests always come first.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39So, what if you're on a table with 20 people?
0:36:39 > 0:36:4220 people, then one by one.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44Friends...
0:36:44 > 0:36:48Baijiu is generally brought out for formal occasions and celebrations.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53Cheers! Cheers.
0:36:53 > 0:36:58It's just as well, because some of us are struggling to keep up.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01- Are you OK?- OK.- Good man.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03So, when you're in having business meetings,
0:37:03 > 0:37:05do you drink for a business meeting?
0:37:05 > 0:37:07Yes, yes.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09How do you get any work done?
0:37:09 > 0:37:10OK, ganbei!
0:37:10 > 0:37:13In modern China, baijiu is an essential part
0:37:13 > 0:37:15of business etiquette.
0:37:15 > 0:37:19And once you're in a toasting round, it's tricky to get out.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25It sounds like a drinking game.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29It's not actually a drinking game. It's drinking tradition.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33If you want to play some drinking games, five, ten.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35- No.- No. This is drinking games.
0:37:35 > 0:37:38Last time I played a drinking game, I ended up naked.
0:37:38 > 0:37:42I think I better leave the baijiu to the experts.
0:37:42 > 0:37:46- Happy New Year.- Happy New Year. Happy New Year.- Happy New Year.
0:37:46 > 0:37:47- Ganbei!- Ganbei.- Ganbei.
0:37:56 > 0:37:57- SI KING:- Back in Beijing,
0:37:57 > 0:38:00people are making their preparations
0:38:00 > 0:38:02for tonight's New Year celebrations.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06And we've had an invitation that's too good to turn down.
0:38:06 > 0:38:07Now, look, as you well know,
0:38:07 > 0:38:10there's one thing that Dave and I love to do on our travels,
0:38:10 > 0:38:13and that's cook with local people in their homes.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15There's never a more authentic experience
0:38:15 > 0:38:18then seeing how things are done for real,
0:38:18 > 0:38:21- and tonight is a special night.- Ooh!
0:38:21 > 0:38:22It's New Year's Eve!
0:38:22 > 0:38:26So, this is the equivalent of seeing how a family in the UK
0:38:26 > 0:38:28would cook their Christmas dinner.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31- I can't wait. I'm excited. - Yes!- Oh-ho-ho!
0:38:33 > 0:38:38- Hello, hi.- Hey!- Hi.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40Yen, who invited us for dinner earlier,
0:38:40 > 0:38:44has asked us to help her and her family make a traditional meal
0:38:44 > 0:38:46for tonight's celebrations.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48My uncle, my husband and brother-in-law.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51Hello, sir. Very nice to meet you.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54- Ni hao.- Ni hao. Ni hao.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56And this is my auntie and mum.
0:38:56 > 0:39:01- They're starting the preparations for the dinner already.- Oh, hello.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03We're going to be making one of my favourite things
0:39:03 > 0:39:06in the whole world - dumplings.
0:39:06 > 0:39:07Out in the dining room,
0:39:07 > 0:39:10Yen's dad has already made a start on the filling for the dumplings.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14So, there is the fennel going in and what else is there?
0:39:14 > 0:39:16- Yeah, and mince.- And mince. - Mince, yeah.- Is it pork?
0:39:16 > 0:39:19- Pork mince.- Yes, it is pork.- Wow.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23- It's great party food. - Look at your face.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25- Fresh dumplings.- Look, look.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29- Dumplings.- They used to call me "Dumpling" when I was a baby.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32- They did.- I think it was cause of the way I looked.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35Dumpling Dave. I don't care, I'm happy.
0:39:35 > 0:39:37I know you are, mate.
0:39:37 > 0:39:38Right then, Dumpling Dave,
0:39:38 > 0:39:40it's about time we got down to business.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43- What do you think?- Too right, Kingy.
0:39:43 > 0:39:44I can't wait to get stuck in.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48This is a masterclass in dumpling making.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51- OK, I'll show you how to do this. - Yeah?- So, you take the dough...
0:39:51 > 0:39:54You just use, like, this bit.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57And the shape of the dumpling is very significant, isn't it?
0:39:57 > 0:40:00This shape of dumpling, exactly, when you see it,
0:40:00 > 0:40:05- when I close it...- Yeah?- ..it looks like a Chinese golden ingot.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08- Yes.- That was currency in the old times.
0:40:08 > 0:40:09Basically, the money.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12So, that's why they say if you eat more dumplings
0:40:12 > 0:40:15- you can make more money next year. - I'm going to be rich next year.
0:40:15 > 0:40:19- So, that's a good sign. - You sure are.- You've got a lot of filling in there, as well.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22- They're not mean dumplings. - No, they're not, are they?
0:40:22 > 0:40:23Remember to turn your ends up.
0:40:23 > 0:40:27Yeah, it's a bit difficult the first time when you try this.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29Yeah, that one is great.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31We tend to put it this way.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34In a circle, that means reunion to us.
0:40:34 > 0:40:38- There's so much tradition...- Yes. - ..in Chinese culture, isn't there?
0:40:38 > 0:40:41Especially at this time, Chinese New Year.
0:40:41 > 0:40:42It's magical.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45Ah, I've got the crimp now. That's it.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50She loves it.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52Yeah!
0:40:52 > 0:40:55If Claudia Schiffer was a dumpling, she'd be that one.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57Looks more like Quasimodo.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00No, it's not. That one's cracking.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02Yours looks like Frank Bruno.
0:41:04 > 0:41:05Yeah, fair enough.
0:41:05 > 0:41:06"Yeah, fair enough, Harry!"
0:41:06 > 0:41:10In the old times, we used to put a coin inside,
0:41:10 > 0:41:13so anyone in the family eats that one
0:41:13 > 0:41:15means this person gets the best luck in the whole year.
0:41:15 > 0:41:19- So, that's the magic dumpling. - Yeah, but this...- So, in England... - Yeah?
0:41:19 > 0:41:23..we have a tradition about putting a coin in the Christmas pudding.
0:41:23 > 0:41:24Wow.
0:41:24 > 0:41:28So, whoever gets the Christmas pudding, it's the same.
0:41:28 > 0:41:31Nowadays, we'd consider the hygienic part
0:41:31 > 0:41:33and then we'd change it with peanuts.
0:41:33 > 0:41:34- Ah.- Yeah.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37But what happens if you've had too much baijiu to drink
0:41:37 > 0:41:39and you just eat your peanut?
0:41:39 > 0:41:42That's why we're going to put a few rather than just one.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45Ah! I see!
0:41:45 > 0:41:48Yen's mum puts the peanut in the lucky dumpling
0:41:48 > 0:41:50and pops it on the plate.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53Now, they're ready to cook in the steamer.
0:41:56 > 0:42:00While the dumplings are steaming away, Yen's aunt
0:42:00 > 0:42:02is cooking the rest of dinner.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05Looks like it's going to be quite a feast.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07But there's still work to be done.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10We lend a hand laying the table ready for the big meal.
0:42:12 > 0:42:16So, here we are, our favourite moment -
0:42:16 > 0:42:17eating the food.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20This is magnificent. Just tell us what's on the table.
0:42:20 > 0:42:24- It's fantastic. - So, normally in the New Year's Eve
0:42:24 > 0:42:27dinner like this, we must have a fish here.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30This also has the similar pronunciation
0:42:30 > 0:42:35of extra, wealthy, rich, so that means every year we have wealth.
0:42:35 > 0:42:40Apart from that, we also should have chicken, duck, beef, pork.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42Everything. Tofu, vegetables.
0:42:42 > 0:42:44It means a plenty and rich life.
0:42:44 > 0:42:46What a feast.
0:42:46 > 0:42:51- And of course we've brought baijiu! - Wow!
0:42:51 > 0:42:52Is this a good one?
0:42:53 > 0:42:54Have we done all right?
0:42:56 > 0:42:57Top ten! Yay!
0:42:57 > 0:42:59Thank you!
0:42:59 > 0:43:00LAUGHTER
0:43:00 > 0:43:02- Cheers!- Cheers.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07What an honour to be part of Yen's family New Year's celebrations.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10They've made us feel right at home.
0:43:10 > 0:43:11Is the moustache straight?
0:43:11 > 0:43:13Yeah.
0:43:13 > 0:43:18The dumplings are going down a treat and the drink is starting to flow.
0:43:18 > 0:43:19You're not wrong there, mate.
0:43:19 > 0:43:22- Bottoms up! - Bottoms up. Yeah.
0:43:24 > 0:43:25Woo!
0:43:25 > 0:43:26Brilliant.
0:43:28 > 0:43:30That's good.
0:43:30 > 0:43:31To be perfectly honest,
0:43:31 > 0:43:34it's the best New Year I've ever had.
0:43:34 > 0:43:36And I've had a few.
0:43:36 > 0:43:39- We have.- Oh, more dumplings. HE LAUGHS
0:43:39 > 0:43:43He's full of baijiu and dumplings. That's it, he's in seventh heaven.
0:43:43 > 0:43:45- This is lamb.- The lamb ones.
0:43:45 > 0:43:47Oh, right, OK.
0:43:49 > 0:43:51Well, I think it's time for a toast.
0:43:51 > 0:43:54And traditionally around a Chinese table
0:43:54 > 0:43:57the toast goes to the host, and,
0:43:57 > 0:44:00Yen, I think it's your uncle who's going to make the toast tonight.
0:44:09 > 0:44:11- Welcome.- Thank you.
0:44:11 > 0:44:15- It's a great, great honour. Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:44:15 > 0:44:17- Ganbei.- Ganbei.
0:44:19 > 0:44:21THEY CHEER
0:44:21 > 0:44:24A meal like this is a Chinese institution,
0:44:24 > 0:44:28but there's one other institution that we simply can't miss.
0:44:28 > 0:44:29And that's the Chunwan Gala.
0:44:29 > 0:44:32I mean, it's the most-watched TV show on the planet,
0:44:32 > 0:44:37and every household in China and beyond will be watching it.
0:44:37 > 0:44:38And it's on the telly over there.
0:44:38 > 0:44:41And here's Jing with a backstage pass.
0:44:44 > 0:44:49JING LUSI: It's China's biggest party - TV on a huge scale.
0:44:49 > 0:44:52The Chunwan Gala.
0:44:52 > 0:44:56An epic extravaganza viewed by millions at New Year,
0:44:56 > 0:45:00it is the most-watched TV show on earth.
0:45:00 > 0:45:04Running live for four hours, each of the selected 1,000 acts
0:45:04 > 0:45:08rehearse for up to a year to make the big night run like clockwork.
0:45:16 > 0:45:19I've come to the national state TV broadcaster,
0:45:19 > 0:45:21China Central Television,
0:45:21 > 0:45:24on the day of their first dress rehearsal to discover
0:45:24 > 0:45:28what goes into putting on such a huge production.
0:45:29 > 0:45:32Now, incredibly, despite this being a Chinese institution
0:45:32 > 0:45:34that has been going for over 30 years,
0:45:34 > 0:45:37we're one of the very few foreign film crews that have ever been
0:45:37 > 0:45:39allowed to film backstage at the event.
0:45:39 > 0:45:43This is TV on a huge scale, and it's extraordinary.
0:45:45 > 0:45:48The acts have been rehearsing relentlessly.
0:45:48 > 0:45:52For many of them, this could be their big break.
0:45:52 > 0:45:56The show features every type of Chinese entertainment including,
0:45:56 > 0:45:57of course, martial arts.
0:46:20 > 0:46:23After a very lengthy selection process,
0:46:23 > 0:46:26Li Yuhai and his martial arts team from Shandong
0:46:26 > 0:46:28heard they'd beaten the competition
0:46:28 > 0:46:32and would be appearing on the show live to the nation.
0:46:52 > 0:46:54Appearing on such a massive show,
0:46:54 > 0:46:57every move will have to be absolutely perfect.
0:46:57 > 0:46:59The pressure is immense.
0:47:02 > 0:47:05Look at the little kids. Oh, they're so cute.
0:47:05 > 0:47:07And this is an outfit and a half.
0:47:11 > 0:47:13Oh, OK, OK.
0:47:13 > 0:47:17With over a thousand performers and an even bigger army of crew
0:47:17 > 0:47:18and technicians,
0:47:18 > 0:47:21I've come to meet artistic director Lu Yitao
0:47:21 > 0:47:24on the day of the first dress rehearsal.
0:47:27 > 0:47:30So, this is the most-watched show in the entire world.
0:47:36 > 0:47:37That's insane.
0:47:40 > 0:47:43I mean, you must start with a lot of acts.
0:47:45 > 0:47:47What you think about our martial arts guys?
0:47:59 > 0:48:01I'm off to find Yihai and the boys.
0:48:01 > 0:48:05It'll be their final run through before going into the full studio -
0:48:05 > 0:48:08the last chance to pull all their practice together
0:48:08 > 0:48:10before facing the cameras for the first time.
0:48:34 > 0:48:38And now, finally it's their turn to do it in front of the cameras.
0:48:38 > 0:48:39And that's it, they're in.
0:48:39 > 0:48:42Through those doors is the main stage and they're about
0:48:42 > 0:48:43to do the performance of a lifetime.
0:48:45 > 0:48:49The vast production line is a huge logistics challenge
0:48:49 > 0:48:52as over a thousand acts from all over China await
0:48:52 > 0:48:53their slot in the main studio.
0:49:04 > 0:49:06He's breathing so heavily.
0:49:10 > 0:49:13Oh, thank you so much.
0:49:13 > 0:49:15It's been great to meet you and good luck on the night, yeah?
0:49:15 > 0:49:20- Happy New Year.- Happy new year. - Bye-bye.- Bye-bye.
0:49:21 > 0:49:23And on New Year's Eve,
0:49:23 > 0:49:27all of China gets to see Yihai and his team's
0:49:27 > 0:49:28flawless performance.
0:49:42 > 0:49:44Now, the gala is in full swing,
0:49:44 > 0:49:47so just before we sit down to watch it,
0:49:47 > 0:49:51there is one more Chinese tradition that we have to adhere to.
0:49:51 > 0:49:54The family photo.
0:49:58 > 0:50:00Right, Dave, go. Oh, you're there.
0:50:02 > 0:50:05- ALL:- Xinnian Kuaile!
0:50:07 > 0:50:09Here in Beijing, we're just hours away
0:50:09 > 0:50:11from ringing in the new year.
0:50:11 > 0:50:15Kate, meanwhile, in Hong Kong has a very different New Year
0:50:15 > 0:50:19at one of the most incredible temples that you would ever see.
0:50:22 > 0:50:24KATE HUMBLE: Nestled in the heart
0:50:24 > 0:50:27of the only landlocked district in Hong Kong
0:50:27 > 0:50:30is the astonishing Wong Tai Sin Temple...
0:50:33 > 0:50:35..which is home to three religions -
0:50:35 > 0:50:38Daoism, Confucianism and Buddhism.
0:50:39 > 0:50:42This is one of the most popular temples in Hong Kong
0:50:42 > 0:50:46and it draws huge numbers of people here every single day.
0:50:46 > 0:50:51But on New Year's Eve, this place is absolutely heaving.
0:50:51 > 0:50:55There could be as many as 100,000 people here in the evening.
0:51:01 > 0:51:04People come here every day to make an offering of incense sticks
0:51:04 > 0:51:06and to pray, but on New Year's Eve,
0:51:06 > 0:51:10it's a particularly important day to come and to ask for health
0:51:10 > 0:51:12and good fortune for the coming year.
0:51:15 > 0:51:18What really brings the crowds to Wong Tai Sin
0:51:18 > 0:51:21is the chance to have their fortune told
0:51:21 > 0:51:25according to an ancient practice known as kau cim.
0:51:25 > 0:51:27To tell your fortune,
0:51:27 > 0:51:30you have to take a bamboo vessel filled with 100 prayer sticks
0:51:30 > 0:51:34and shake it until one falls out.
0:51:34 > 0:51:37That numbered stick is then interpreted by a fortune teller.
0:51:40 > 0:51:44To take me through the process, I'm meeting Wilson Orr,
0:51:44 > 0:51:47who has worked here for the past 30 years.
0:51:48 > 0:51:51- You have to kneel down here. - OK.- Do that.
0:51:51 > 0:51:54- Yeah.- And then tell our God...
0:51:54 > 0:51:55- Yeah.- ..first of all, your name.
0:51:55 > 0:51:58- Yeah.- Your date of birth.
0:51:58 > 0:52:01- Yeah.- And then the question.
0:52:01 > 0:52:03OK. So, this is going to be my secret.
0:52:03 > 0:52:06You have no idea what I'm asking.
0:52:15 > 0:52:19Perfect. And this is a number I always like.
0:52:19 > 0:52:21Oh, that I like to hear.
0:52:21 > 0:52:23- 17.- So, number 17.- Yeah.
0:52:25 > 0:52:29Now, usually my numbered stick would be read by a fortune teller,
0:52:29 > 0:52:31but this is Hong Kong -
0:52:31 > 0:52:34a city where tradition meets technology
0:52:34 > 0:52:35like nowhere else on earth,
0:52:35 > 0:52:39and my fortune is going to be told by a machine.
0:52:41 > 0:52:43- So, is this it? - Yeah, this is the machine.
0:52:43 > 0:52:47Well, in the old days, if you wanted the answer, of course,
0:52:47 > 0:52:49we have the book.
0:52:49 > 0:52:52But now we are using some new technology
0:52:52 > 0:52:54to help to make life easier.
0:52:54 > 0:52:57- And your God doesn't mind?- No, no.
0:52:57 > 0:53:01All you have to do is touch a sensor, select print here,
0:53:01 > 0:53:05- and that's it.- Really?- Yes, and the messages come here.
0:53:05 > 0:53:09So, there it is. That is the answer to my question.
0:53:11 > 0:53:14I'd love to tell you what it says, but it's a secret.
0:53:17 > 0:53:20The temple might seem tranquil today,
0:53:20 > 0:53:21but tonight, on New Year's Eve...
0:53:23 > 0:53:25..it's a completely different story.
0:53:28 > 0:53:31Thousands of people are queuing up outside the temple gates
0:53:31 > 0:53:35getting ready to burn incense and make their wishes
0:53:35 > 0:53:39to bring good fortune for the coming year.
0:53:39 > 0:53:42The crowds are already gathering for this,
0:53:42 > 0:53:47the most auspicious time of the New Year's celebrations
0:53:47 > 0:53:48here in Hong Kong.
0:53:48 > 0:53:50Do you think this year is going to be a good year for monkeys?
0:53:50 > 0:53:53- Yes.- You do? - Good luck for the monkey.
0:53:53 > 0:53:54- Good luck for the monkey.- Yes.
0:53:54 > 0:53:57Well, now that I've met you, I think everything is going to be fine.
0:53:57 > 0:53:59Yes, thank you.
0:53:59 > 0:54:01Good luck for everybody.
0:54:01 > 0:54:04So, how long have you been here so that you're at the front of the queue?
0:54:04 > 0:54:07- Around two o'clock. - Two o'clock?- Yeah.
0:54:07 > 0:54:09- Really?- Yeah.- So, you're going to queue for ten hours,
0:54:09 > 0:54:11it's that important?
0:54:13 > 0:54:15It's the lady in pink that I particularly like.
0:54:15 > 0:54:18She's got this sort of very fluffy,
0:54:18 > 0:54:22rather friendly looking cat on her sweatshirt, but her face says,
0:54:22 > 0:54:24"No-one messes with me."
0:54:24 > 0:54:27Now the crowd are really pushing forward.
0:54:27 > 0:54:29There's going to be this almighty shove,
0:54:29 > 0:54:32I think, to get right to the front of the queue.
0:54:32 > 0:54:36I'm wondering if my wish earlier on
0:54:36 > 0:54:40at this temple should have been that I don't get crushed tonight!
0:54:42 > 0:54:44This evening, the temple opens at nine,
0:54:44 > 0:54:47and being the first to enter and make an offering
0:54:47 > 0:54:49is considered particularly lucky.
0:54:53 > 0:54:58And these worshippers will stop at nothing to beat the crowd.
0:54:58 > 0:55:00- Is it like this every year? - Yes, every year.
0:55:06 > 0:55:10Once they're inside, worshippers collect incense sticks.
0:55:10 > 0:55:14The crowd is moving through with their unlit sticks
0:55:14 > 0:55:16going through here and getting them lit,
0:55:16 > 0:55:19and then they're walking back up towards the temple.
0:55:23 > 0:55:25The sticks are placed at the temple's altars
0:55:25 > 0:55:29whilst they wish for good fortune in the new year.
0:55:30 > 0:55:34The incense smoke carries their messages to the gods.
0:55:36 > 0:55:39For those most dedicated to attracting good luck,
0:55:39 > 0:55:42there's the chance to make an especially auspicious offering
0:55:42 > 0:55:44on the stroke of midnight.
0:55:44 > 0:55:47The crowd here are waiting patiently.
0:55:47 > 0:55:50Many of them have been here for five or six hours.
0:55:50 > 0:55:52And here they come.
0:55:56 > 0:55:59There's a real tangible sense of joy and achievement
0:55:59 > 0:56:01that they've made it.
0:56:01 > 0:56:04This clearly matters so much.
0:56:04 > 0:56:06CHEERING
0:56:06 > 0:56:08SHE LAUGHS
0:56:08 > 0:56:12And that is "Happy New Year" from Hong Kong.
0:56:25 > 0:56:28- SI KING:- Back in Beijing, the firecrackers are so loud
0:56:28 > 0:56:30we're going to need subtitles.
0:56:30 > 0:56:33Some might say it's about time!
0:57:10 > 0:57:13It's a stunning end to our New Year's Eve in Beijing,
0:57:13 > 0:57:17but the festivities will continue for another 15 days.
0:57:17 > 0:57:21Tomorrow night, Kate will be bringing the show from Hong Kong.
0:57:23 > 0:57:26Thanks, guys. Yes, tomorrow night and tonight
0:57:26 > 0:57:29we'll be here in Hong Kong together joining the New Year's celebrations
0:57:29 > 0:57:32which will be going on for the next couple of days.
0:57:32 > 0:57:34I can promise you lion dancing,
0:57:34 > 0:57:38a spectacular night parade and four-and-a-half tonnes of fireworks
0:57:38 > 0:57:41lighting up the iconic Hong Kong skyline.
0:57:41 > 0:57:43Don't even think about missing it.
0:57:46 > 0:57:49It's amazing to think that the warmth,
0:57:49 > 0:57:52intimacy and excitement we've experienced here
0:57:52 > 0:57:55with Yen's family is just a tiny part
0:57:55 > 0:57:59of the billion people letting off fireworks all over China.
0:57:59 > 0:58:02What an incredible experience, eh, Kingy?