2012 Spring Festival
Nearly 200,000 local residents and tourists visited parks in Beijing on Monday as a series of celebrations were hosted to mark the first day of the Chinese lunar New Year, the city's park administration said.
Festive activities kicked off at Beijing's famous parks, including the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, and the Beihai Park, on Monday to welcome the Year of the Dragon, said Chen Zhiqiang, spokesman for the Beijing Municipal Administration Center of Parks.
At the Temple of Heaven, 320 costumed performers on Monday staged a show presenting the royal heaven worship ceremony in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
In the one-hour ceremony, thousands of visitors watched as the royal parade marched toward the altar where the "emperor" held a ritual to pray for peace and good harvest in the coming year.
At the Summer Palace, the ancient royal garden, a traditional fair opened to public with old-fashioned shops and stands selling items and snacks popular in the old days.
The Chinese New Year, which begins on Monday this year, is an important occasion for family dinners, fireworks, and a trip to temple fairs.
To cope with the increase in visitors, authorities in Beijing said they have deployed seven police choppers and 910,000 order-maintaining personnel across the city to prevent the breakout of fires and stampedes.
Celebrations held on 1st day of Chinese Lunar New Year
Visitors tour a lantern festival held at the Old City God Temple of east China's Shanghai Municipality, Jan. 23, 2012, the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year.
An actor performs "face changing", a traditional dramatic art of the Sichuan Opera, in Nantong, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 23, 2012, the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year.
Folk artists from central China's Henan Province give performance in the Xuanwuhu Park in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 23, 2012, the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year.
A special eye-dotting ceremony of the golden dragon and lions will be held next Monday, the first day of Lunar New Year, at the Ruins of St. Paul's in Macao Special Administrative Region to celebrate the Spring Festival.
A 238-meter-long golden dragon will lead a parade through major tourist spots. The vibrant dragon and lion dances bless Macao to be as energetic and spirited as these noble creatures in the Year of the Dragon.
Some volunteers will be dressed up as God of Fortune, a traditional Chinese god, greeting the public and distributing "Lai Si" and souvenirs to residents and visitors. "Lai Si", a red envelop with some change in it, bestows good luck and fortune for the Lunar New Year.
A splendid firework display organized by Macao Government Tourist Office (MGTO) will light up the sky of Macao to usher in the Year of the Dragon on next Monday night. About 20,000 pyrotechnic shells will be fired from 4 barges at sea in front of the Macao Tower and the Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre for around 30 minutes.
Besides, many of Macao's cultural attractions will maintain opening hours during the Chinese New Year from January 22 to January 25, holding a series of activities in celebration of the Spring Festival.