Chinese celebrate Year of the Dog

People across China Friday celebrated the Spring Festival, the country's most important occasion for family gatherings, with fireworks, greetings, delicious food and performances.

It's a tradition for Beijingers to visit temple fairs during the Lunar New Year holiday.

On Friday, the first day of the Year of the Dog in the 12-animal Chinese zodiac, many visited the bustling, crowded fairs in the Chinese capital, enjoying delicacies and handicraft works and watching traditional performances.

"The traditional culture represents ancient people's aspiration for a good life," said Peng Lei, 33, who visited the Ditan Park temple fair with his little daughter.

"I want my daughter to see with her own eyes and get to know the root of our culture," said Peng, who has lived in Beijing for 18 years.

Some, however, spent the holiday visiting tourist destinations.
 (chinamedia)
 17/2/18