China ushers in year of 2008

The festive spirit is in the air in China. 2008 promises to be a big year. So, let's take a whirlwind trip around the country to see how people are celebrating the New Year.

The Mouse will be the hottest animal in 2008. It is the zodiac creature that will rise to the ascendant at the Chinese lunar new year. So mouse cartoons are the rage, and there are lots and lots of mouse cartoon drawings on the market. Mouse toys also are popular.

There also seems to be a surge of interest in zodiac culture this year. One reason may be that the mouse represents the beginning of the cycle of 12 Zodiac figures.

There are gold accessories and household appliances to commemorate the year. In department stores, young people are attracted by humidifiers fashioned after the Disney cartoon star Mickey Mouse.

In Shanghai, people are extending new year's wishes with wind and wings.

And in northeastern Heilongjiang, where it's minus 20 degrees the chill isn't cooling the Olympic spirit.

The spirit of sportsmanship is also spreading across Northwest Shaanxi Province.

Shanghai's flower market is booming for its winter festival, Prices have gone up 30 percent. The high cost isn't stopping customers from reaching into their pockets though.

It's a different story in Beijing. Supplies of fresh flowers are so abundant that prices were cut in half during the holiday season.