Millions of people across Asia and the world are welcoming the Lunar New Year which coincides with the first new moon of the lunar calendar.
Widely considered to be the most important event in the year for many in Asia and some Asian communities worldwide, the Lunar New Year represents a fresh start for those who celebrate.
Fireworks, music, fairs, lanterns, dragon and lion dancing filled streets across Asia as celebrations that typically last about 15 days began.
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In Beijing, China, performers took to the stage to celebrate the start of the Year of the Snake.<!-- -->
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Stilt walkers joined a parade through a park in Beijing.<!-- -->
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Candles were lit at a Chinese temple in Yangon, Myanmar.<!-- -->
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A woman prays at a shrine in Bangkok…<!-- -->
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While others pose for pictures to share with friends and family.<!-- -->
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Prayers are offered at the Hong San Koo Tee temple in Surabaya in Indonesia.<!-- -->
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Dancers perform the Lion Dance in Banda Aceh as people gather to watch.<!-- -->
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In Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur worshippers gather at the Taoist temple of Sin Sze Si Ya to celebrate and pray.<!-- -->
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Dragon dancers make their way through the streets of Manila as firecrackers explode around them.<!-- -->
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Large candles are lit Darma Ramsi Temple to mark the Chinese Lunar New Year in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia.<!-- -->
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Dancers wearing lion costumes perform during a midnight Lunar New Year celebration in New York’s Chinatown.<!-- -->
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Florence Lo/Reuters
Nyein Chan Naing/EPA-EFE
Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP
Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP
Juni Jriswanto/AFP
Chaideer Mahyuddin/AFP
Hasnoor Hussain/Reuters
Eloisa Lopez/Reuters
Timur Matahari/AFP
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