In pictures: Chinese New Year

• poon cho tang

  30 Jan 06, 23:16

  
  
  A midnight firework display near an ancient timekeeping bell tower in Beijing, ushers in the New Year.
• poon cho tang

  30 Jan 06, 23:17

  
  
  Families thronged Beijing's temple fairs and set off firecrackers to ring in an auspicious Year of the Dog.
• poon cho tang

  30 Jan 06, 23:19

  
  
  A girl dons a colourful dress to take part in festivities in the Chinese capital.
• poon cho tang

  30 Jan 06, 23:21

  
  
  In Hong Kong, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse join the festive mood at the Disneyland park.
• poon cho tang

  30 Jan 06, 23:24

  
  
  Worshippers line up to pray and throw their incense sticks in an incense burner in Taipei, Taiwan.
• poon cho tang

  30 Jan 06, 23:25

  
  
  Elsewhere, ethnic Chinese burn incense sticks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• poon cho tang

  30 Jan 06, 23:25

  
  
  Chinese dragon dancers entertain onlookers through the streets of Chinatown in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo.
• poon cho tang

  30 Jan 06, 23:26

  
  
  An ethnic Chinese worshipper prays at a Buddhist temple in Jakarta, Indonesia.
• poon cho tang

  30 Jan 06, 23:27

  
  
  Performers carry out a dragon dance through the streets of Chinatown in Manila, the Philippines.
• poon cho tang

  30 Jan 06, 23:30

  
  
  Chinese in South Africa perform a dragon dance at Nau Hua Temple in Bronkhstspruit, 100km north of Johannesburg.
• poon cho tang

  30 Jan 06, 23:41

  
  
  Dancers perform a dragon dance in Trafalgar Square, in London, UK.