The real China is revealed in this series of concise and informative programs. It provides a guide to Chinese lifestyle and language as we meet the people and explore ten aspects of China's culture in detail. Today: How the Chinese celebrate New Year. We also learn how to buy tickets for a night out in China.

This program opens with the countdown to the end of a year. Graphics are used to explain the concept of one year ending and another beginning. Children are introduced to the idea that not all people celebrate New Year at the same time. We witness the strict rituals of a Jewish New Year celebration, both inside a synagogue and at home. We experience the unique sights and sounds of a Chinese New Year, from the hypnotic chanting inside a Buddhist temple to the raucous, vibrant dragon dances.

Chinese New Year is one of the biggest events on the planet, and every year a sixth of the world's population travels home to celebrate with their families. Based in the heart of Beijing, Kate Humble, Jing Lusi and Ant Anstead offer a front-seat view of one of the most spectacular events on earth. In this episode, the trio follow the weeks leading up to New Year at the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, an extraordinary sub-zero celebration in China's far north east.

Matthew and Ross receive a request for a suckling pig from John Jovanovic, a Serbian man, while manning their Salamanca stall. The pig is to be served at a Sino-Serbian New Year's Feast. Matthew is intrigued and offers up a piglet in exchange for a seat at the table. He discovers that his customer is married to a Chinese woman, Janette, and that after less than satisfying Chinese New Year meals at restaurants, they now host their own celebration meal.

Kate Humble and Ant Anstead present the final episode from Hong Kong, looking at what happens right after New Year. This great port city is a strange mix of ultra-modern and traditional. Kate trains with a top dragon-dancing troupe and discovers that not only is it a highly demanding kung fu-based art, it is also taken very seriously as Hong Kong people sincerely embrace the tradition of lucky lions and dragons at New Year. Meanwhile, the Hairy Bikers are in Beijing at the Temple Fair, where they explore a tradition from Imperial China. The Emperor starts the New Year by renewing his mandate of heaven.

The Hairy Bikers Dave Myers and Si King go to New Year's Eve in Beijing, following an extraordinary day in China's capital city. They experience life in the mega-city on this special day, from preparations at the bell tower, which can only ring on the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, to the home of a Beijing family, the Zhangs, who are getting ready for the biggest family get-together of the year. The whole city comes to a halt as everyone gathers round dinner tables to tuck into the traditional reunion dinner.