The Year of the Monkey started on 8 February. The following 15 days are known as the Spring Festival. During this period, people flock to temple fairs in public parks to watch traditional performances such as dragon dances and Chinese opera. People also burn incense at temples to pray for good health and fortune. Spring Festival is focused on family reunions and is often the only time students and migrant workers get to return to their home towns.
IBTimes UK presents all the fun of the fair and the colours of spring at lunar new year celebrations across China.
Performers dance on stilts at a local fair during Spring Festival celebrations in BeijingKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesPerformers take off their stilts after their routine at a local fair in BeijingKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesA performer holds a flower in his mouth after it was given to him following a performance at a fair during Spring Festival celebrations in BeijingKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesDancers get ready in a trailer before performing at a temple fair in BeijingKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesA performer wearing stilts looks into the doorway of the dressing room at a fair in BeijingKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesPerformers dance at a fair at Huangsi Temple in Shenyang, Liaoning provinceSheng Li/ReutersA performer makes a face for the camera as he waits to go on stage at Longtan park in BeijingDamir Sagolj/ReutersDancers wait to perform at a Beijing fair during Spring Festival celebrationsKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesPeople burn incense to worship the God of Fortune at Guiyuan Temple in Wuhan, Hubei provinceReutersPolice stand guard as people come to worship the God of Fortune at Guiyuan Temple in Wuhan, Hubei provinceReutersA performer sprays molten iron against a wall to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Nuanquan town, Yuxian County, Hebei provinceReutersPeople wearing traditional costumes take selfies during a temple fair in Xi'an, Shaanxi provinceReutersA performer walks on stilts before a show during a fair in Xi'an, Shaanxi provinceKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesPerformers take a part in a re-enactment of an ancient Qing Dynasty ceremony as the Lunar New Year of the Monkey is celebrated at the temple fair at Ditan Park (the Temple of Earth) in BeijingDamir Sagolj/ReutersParamilitary police pose for a photo in front of a lantern display at a fair in BeijingKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesDancers get ready in a trailer before performing for Spring Festival in BeijingKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesMale dancers await their turn to perform at a fair in BeijingKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesA man carries toys and flowers at a fair in BeijingKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesChinese President Xi Jinping is seen on a television monitor at a government promotional booth at a fair in BeijingKevin Frayer/Getty Images
