BEIJING: Millions of Chinese gathered to celebrate Chinese New Year, The Year of Monkey.
Chinese New Year is also known as Spring Festival and people start preparations in the middle of the 12th month.
People flocked to Traditional fairs held in parks and temples to pray for good health and fortune.
The week-long holiday is very important for Chinese people focusing on family reunion and claim it to be equivalent to Christmas for many in the west.
Lion dance is performed in the fairs, Buddhist and Taoist temples offer singing and dancing performances in the event.
Each Chinese year is characterized by one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals.
It is claimed that this is one of the most unlucky year in Chinese calendar which starts on February 8th and ends on January 27th.