• epa03072113 Actors perform the dragon dance on the eve of the New Year of the Dragon at a park in Beijing, China, 22 January 2012. On 23 January Chinese around the globe will mark the start of the Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year of the Dragon according the 12 year Chinese cycle of zodiac animals. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL *** Local Caption *** 03072113.jpg
    epa03072113 Actors perform the dragon dance on the eve of the New Year of the Dragon at a park in Beijing, China, 22 January 2012. On 23 January Chinese around the globe will mark the start of the Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year of the Dragon according the 12 year Chinese cycle of zodiac animals. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL *** Local Caption *** 03072113.jpg
  • Food vendors dressed in imperial costumes offer meat skewers in Beijing. Diego Azubel / EPA
    Food vendors dressed in imperial costumes offer meat skewers in Beijing. Diego Azubel / EPA
  • A performer wears face paint in preparation for the Chinese New Year. Diego Azubel / EPA
    A performer wears face paint in preparation for the Chinese New Year. Diego Azubel / EPA
  • A fire breather performs in Chinatown in Manila. Noel Cellis / AFP
    A fire breather performs in Chinatown in Manila. Noel Cellis / AFP
  • More than 200 million people are expected to use China's railways over the New Year period, the biggest movement of humans in the world. Jason Lee / Reuters
    More than 200 million people are expected to use China's railways over the New Year period, the biggest movement of humans in the world. Jason Lee / Reuters
  • Angelito "Karat Chef" Araneta Jr, 24, adds the finishing touches to his edible Water Dragon sculpture made of gum-paste icing inside a Manila restaurant. The sculpture is also coated in 24 karat gold leaf and adorned with 17 Mikimoto pearls and two diamon???
    Angelito "Karat Chef" Araneta Jr, 24, adds the finishing touches to his edible Water Dragon sculpture made of gum-paste icing inside a Manila restaurant. The sculpture is also coated in 24 karat gold leaf and adorned with 17 Mikimoto pearls and two diamon???
  • A professional diver in a mermaid costume watches her co-diver, who is holding a Water Dragon puppet, swim inside the Manila Ocean Park aquarium in. Romeo Ranoco / Reuters
    A professional diver in a mermaid costume watches her co-diver, who is holding a Water Dragon puppet, swim inside the Manila Ocean Park aquarium in. Romeo Ranoco / Reuters
  • A seller hands a food to a customer on the eve of Chinese New Year in Taipei, Taiwan. Chiang Ying-ying / AP Photo
    A seller hands a food to a customer on the eve of Chinese New Year in Taipei, Taiwan. Chiang Ying-ying / AP Photo
  • Worshipers burn incense in prayer at the Lama Temple, one of the most renowned Tibetan monastery outside Tibet, wishing for good luck and good fortune on the first day of the Chinese New Year of the Dragon in Beijing, China. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL
    Worshipers burn incense in prayer at the Lama Temple, one of the most renowned Tibetan monastery outside Tibet, wishing for good luck and good fortune on the first day of the Chinese New Year of the Dragon in Beijing, China. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL
  • Performers wearing costumes of the Qing Dynasty take part in a worship ceremony in Tiantan Park, or the Temple of Heaven, in Beijing. AFP PHOTO / Ed Jones
    Performers wearing costumes of the Qing Dynasty take part in a worship ceremony in Tiantan Park, or the Temple of Heaven, in Beijing. AFP PHOTO / Ed Jones
  • An elderly Chinese woman attaches a blessing tablet with her wishes for the new year at the Dongyue Temple in Beijing. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON
    An elderly Chinese woman attaches a blessing tablet with her wishes for the new year at the Dongyue Temple in Beijing. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON
  • Thousands of people visit a lantern festival to celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Dragon in Shanghai. The Lunar New Year begins on January 23 and is the beginning of the Spring Festival holiday. AFP PHOTO/Peter PARKS
    Thousands of people visit a lantern festival to celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Dragon in Shanghai. The Lunar New Year begins on January 23 and is the beginning of the Spring Festival holiday. AFP PHOTO/Peter PARKS
  • Fireworks explode over a residential area of Beijing. AFP PHOTO / Ed Jones
    Fireworks explode over a residential area of Beijing. AFP PHOTO / Ed Jones
  • Chinese dancers perform on a stage at a temple fair in Ditan Park. AP Photo/Andy Wong
    Chinese dancers perform on a stage at a temple fair in Ditan Park. AP Photo/Andy Wong

UAE

In pictures: Chinese prepare for the Year of the Dragon

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