10/02 17:46 CET
There was clearly no shortage of people in Beijing’s Baiyunguan Temple taking part in the traditional round of coin-throwing for the Lunar New Year.
Strike the bell underneath the arch, and according to legend it will bring good luck and prosperity back in to come.
In line with tradition, many Chinese households visited temples early in the morning following a night of celebrations. They burnt incense and took part in prayers.
A drop in the utilization of fireworks on Saturday night meant pollution levels, although still high, are not as bad as last year.
The Lunar New Year has been celebrated all over East Asia. In many countries the first day is really a public holiday.
In the North Korean capital Pyongyang, numerous braved the cold to climb Mansu Hill in the city centre to pay homage towards the statues of national founder Kim Il Sung and the late leader Kim Jong Ce.
They also celebreated in the Chinatown district of Rangoon, the previous capital of Myanmar and its commercial centre. The occasion was marked with a procession of several Burmese-Chinese groups.
Meanwhile in Indonesia where Chinese individuals used to celebrate their New year in hiding, thousands openly performed prayer rituals in the oldest temple in Jakarta.
In Australia, Melbourne’s Chinatown was filled with crowds taking in street performances and tasting delicacies from stalls.
1 restaurant was reportedly charging 888 Australian dollars (685 euros) per person for its nine-course Beginning of the year menu.
In London dancers, singers and musicians provided a vibrant contrast with the wet weather.
The Chinese New Year falls within the first day of the lunar calendar and lasts for a fortnight.
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