A stunning climax to the Lunar New Year was brought by a fireworks display which lightened the sky over Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong on Thursday night.

About 400,000 ecstatic spectators crowded on both sides of the harbor to watch the 23-minute extravaganza started at 8 pm in celebration of the new Rooster Year.

The fireworks display was coordinated by the Hong Kong Home Affairs Bureau. A total of 22,888 shell pieces was discharged in the display from four barges consisting of nine scenes. Total sponsorship amounts to 4.8 million HK dollars.

Traditional and new patterns merged together forming novel and creative designs that gave people lots of surprise. Spectators were impressed by the pattern featuring red Arabic numerals "8" which is a lucky number in Hong Kong culture symbolizing luck and wealth.

A man surnamed Ho occupied a vantage position at Wanchai Golden Bauhinia Square had showed full excitement while enjoying the dazzling fireworks just as the others.

"Hong Kong people has experienced a fruitful year and I feel happy to be in Hong Kong to celebrate the coming of a new year with a big crowd," said Ho.

Another man surnamed Zhang from Beijing to Hong Kong for vacation gasped in admiration of the splendid fireworks show, " What a gorgeous night! I'll definitely come again for the fireworks next year," said Zhang with delight.

While the explosively multi-colored sparkles fell and faded in the dark sky, laughter and happiness carried on among the crowd forming a harmonious ambiance in the city.