Lunar New Year celebrations and prayers marked the beginning of the Year of the Snake across Asia and beyond on Wednesday, including in Moscow.
In Hong Kong, hundreds of people gathered hours before midnight at the Wong Tai Sin Taoist temple, eager to be among the first to offer incense in front of the temple’s main hall.
“I pray for blessings for my family, success in my business, peace for my country, and a better year ahead for everyone,” said Ming So, who visits the temple every year on the eve of the Lunar New Year.
The holiday, known as the Spring Festival in China, Tet in Vietnam, and Seollal in Korea, is a significant celebration for diaspora communities worldwide. The Year of the Snake follows the recently concluded Year of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac.
The sound of firecrackers filled the air as the new year was welcomed outside the Guan Di temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This was followed by lion dances, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of drums and cymbals.
Inside the temple, ethnic Chinese worshippers bowed several times while holding incense sticks, before placing them into ornate, gold-colored pots, with the smoke rising from the burning tips.
During the eight-day national holiday, many Chinese workers in larger cities return to their hometowns, making it the world’s largest annual movement of people. In Beijing, the capital, the streets have quieted down, with many shops closed and the usually busy roads and subways deserted.
On New Year’s Eve, Chinese families traditionally gather for a meal at home, and on Lunar New Year, they visit “temple fairs” to enjoy performances and shop for snacks, toys, and other small items from various booths.
The extended holiday also gives many Chinese the opportunity to travel, both within China and abroad. According to Ctrip, an online travel agency, the most popular international destinations this year include Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, the United States, South Korea, Macao, and Vietnam.
Russians cheered and took photos with their smartphones as they watched a vibrant procession featuring drummers, dancers in elaborate costumes, and large dragon and snake figures. This colorful display marked the beginning of a 10-day Lunar New Year festival in Moscow on Tuesday night.
Since 2022, the Chinese and Russian governments have strengthened their relationship, partly as a response to what they perceive as U.S. dominance in global affairs.
Visitors at the festival enthusiastically shouted “Happy New Year” in Russian and expressed their joy at experiencing Chinese food and culture in Moscow, including folk performances and stalls offering snacks and artwork.