Chinese New Year celebrations around the world

Beijing, China: Entertainers perform a re-enactment of an ancient ceremony to worship the earth during a temple fair Photograph: Guang Niu/Getty Images

Shanghai, China: A worker arranges flames of burning joss sticks as people pray at a temple Photograph: Eugene Hoshiko/AP

Penang, Malaysia: Visitors look at fireworks during the Chinese New Year light up ceremony at Kek Lok Si Buddhist temple Photograph: Gary Chuah/AP

Singapore: Buddhists rush to stick incense sticks in an urn at a local Chinese Buddhist temple Photograph: Wong Maye-E/AP

Daxing, China: A man sorts dumplings in a kitchen at a village. Villagers gathered Saturday to make thousands of meat dumplings in preparation for a feast to celebrate Chinese New Year Photograph: Greg Baker/AP

Lima, Peru: A woman holding a child looks at a group of Chinese Lion dancers Photograph: Karel Navarro/AP

Lanzhou, China: People offer incense outside Wuquanshan temple Photograph: Aly Song/Reuters

Jakarta, Indonesia: Divers perform an underwater lion dance in the Ocean World at Ancol Dreamland Photograph: Yue Yuewei/AP

Bangkok, Thailand: Elephants in Chinese new year finery in the Ayutthaya province Photograph: Sukree Sukplang/Reuters

Beijing, China: Paramilitary policemen hold confetti launchers in front of a row of red lanterns at the Lianhuachi temple fair Photograph: David Gray/Reuters

Manila, Philippines: Members of a lion dance troupe display their costume, which they have declared as the longest in the country and which will be manned by 120 individuals and paraded during the celebrations Photograph: John Javellana/Reuters

Hong Kong, China: An actor dressed as a firecraker hands out lucky money packets (hong baos) to a crowd outside a shopping mall Photograph: Ym Yik/EPA

Beijing, China: Dancers dressed in traditional Chinese costumes perform a lion dance at the opening ceremony of a temple fair Photograph: Elizabeth Dalziel/AP

Beijing, China: A woman burns incense and prays for good fortune at the Baiyun temple Photograph: Jason Lee/Reuters

Liverpool, UK: The city's Chinatown is home to the oldest Chinese community in Europe, with many of the original inhabitants arriving in the 19th century Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images

Beijing, China: A performer smokes a cigarette during a show to celebrate the lunar new year at a temple Photograph: Christina Hu/Reuters

British Columbia, Canada: A child holds incense sticks while visiting a Buddhist temple with his family Photograph: Richard Lam/AP

Shanghai, China: Worshippers pray for good luck at the Longhua temple Photograph: Nir Elias/Reuters

Beijing, China: A young performer prepares to take part in a performance at a temple fair Photograph: Elizabeth Dalziel/AP

Penh, Cambodia: A Cambodian vendor sells grilled pigs Photograph: Mak Remissa/EPA

Shanghai, China: A worshipper hangs a string with a wish written on it on the wishes tree inside the Longhua temple Photograph: Nir Elias/Reuters

Jakarta, Indonesia: A man lights candles in a temple during the lunar new year celebrations Photograph: Enny Nuraheni/Reuters

Taipei City, Taiwan: A girl touches a panda statue in front of the enclosure of Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, two giant pandas from China, at the Taipei City zoo Photograph: Pichi Chuang/Reuters

Singapore: A shopkeeper peers through decorations in Chinatown Photograph: Wong Maye-E/AP

Beijing, China: An actor playing the role of a Chinese emperor rehearses a reenactment of the imperial sacrifice ritual at the Earth altar Photograph: Adrian Bradshaw/EPA

Mexico City, Mexico: Two girls take part in a street parade Photograph: David De La Paz/EPA

Kaili, China: A young boy holds fireworks in the south-western Guizhou province Photograph: Peter Parks/AFP/Getty Images

Beijing, China: Fireworks illuminate the skyline during the celebrations Photograph: Reinhard Krause/Reuters