Chinese new year celebrations around the world - in pictures

A traditional dancer takes part in London's Chinese new year parade Photograph: Bethany Clarke/Getty Images

A 238-metre golden dragon in Macau, China Photograph: Carmo Correia/EPA

A volunteer distributes incense to templegoers in Taipei, Taiwan Photograph: Chiang Ying-ying/AP

Animal figures made from blown molten sugar on sale at a stall outside the Dongyue temple in Beijing Photograph: Adrian Bradshaw/EPA

Chinese children shield their ears from the sound of fireworks during celebrations in Manila Photograph: Dondi Tawatao/Getty Images

A laughing Buddha accompanies a parade of lion dancers in Bangkok. The laughing Buddhas are acrobats who interact with the crowd and tease the lion with a fan or a ball. The lion in turn will play with, chase, or even bite and kick the Buddha depending on its mood Photograph: Jack Kurtz/ZUMA/Corbis

Haicheng stilt dancers perform in Qingdao city, China Photograph: Wu Hong/EPA

Dancers performing a dragon dance are reflected in a mirror in a shopping centre in Manila Photograph: Cheryl Ravelo/Reuters

Dancers perform a fire dragon dance in a shower of sparks in Beijing Photograph: Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters

Members of the Chinese community in Kolkata, India, perform a lion dance Photograph: Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP/Getty Images

People light fireworks and burn incense at Dafo temple in Chongqing, China Photograph: AP

Dancers rest before resuming a dragon dance in Manila Photograph: Cheryl Ravelo/Reuters

Performers entertain crowds at the Dongyue temple in Beijing Photograph: Adrian Bradshaw/EPA

Performers recreate an ancient ritual on the first day of the lunar new year at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing Photograph: Diego Azubel/EPA

The Chinese new year parade in Hong Kong Photograph: Antony Dickson/AFP/Getty Images

A dragon dance is performed in London Photograph: Mark Thomas/Rex Features

Visitors touch a python at a special snake display at the national zoo in Kuala Lumpur Photograph: Mohd Rasfan/AFP/Getty Images