Lunar New Year festivals are taking place in China and cities across the world to mark the start of the Chinese New Year.

A participant tries on traditional Chinese costume during an event in celebration of the Chinese New Year at the Confucius Institute of Far Eastern Federal University of Russia, in Vladivostok, Russia,

Tourists visit the Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring scenic spot in the city of Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, Jan. 30, 2025. Photo: Xinhua

Among China’s traditional holidays and celebrations, none ranks higher in importance than the Lunar New Year (農曆新年). Also known as the Spring Festival (春節), or simply Chinese New Year, it marks the beginning of the year according to the traditional lunar calendar.

As Lunar New Year approaches, the once-endangered folk tradition of stilt walking is undergoing something of a revival in China — with Beijing’s encouragement.

A boy jumps to touch red lanterns hung on trees at the Ditan Park ahead of Lunar New Year in Beijing on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) People offer prayers at the Baiyun Taoist Temple ahead of the Lunar New Year in Beijing,

From Jan 20 to Jan 24, the "Hello, Beijing" inbound travel promotion series of activities was successfully held in Türkiye. The event was hosted by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism and organized by the Beijing Overseas Cultural Exchange Center.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping struck a bullish tone during a speech on Monday (Jan 27) ahead of the Chinese New Year, after acknowledging "complex and severe situations" in recent months. Xi addressed the gathering of top Communist Party officials as China gears up for its biggest public holiday,

According to statistics, as many as 30,000 people participated in the temple fair activities in the afternoon of that day.

The first new moon of the lunar calendar officially ushered in the new year in many cultures Wednesday, marking the imminent arrival of spring and the first day of the Year of the Snake, which symbolizes good luck, rebirth and regality.

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping on the occasion of the Chinese New Year and Spring