Lunar New Year festivals and prayers are marking the start of the Year of the Snake around Asia and farther afield.

The Chinese dragon has been around in mythology and folklore for about as long as there's been a Chinese civilization—which is centuries. Many cultures have tales about dragons. The word itself comes from the Ancient Greek word "draconta,

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping on the occasion of the Chinese New Year and Spring

Chinese Premier Li Qiang presides over a high-level reception to ring in the Chinese New Year at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan 27, 2025. The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council held the reception on Monday in Beijing. [Photo/Xinhua]

With the departure of the auspicious dragon, the golden snake arrives in spring. From song and dance performances to collaborative shows, from photography exhibitions to intangible cultural heritage experiences,

From public parades to traditional dances, here's how countries around the world are celebrating the Year of the Snake.

From Beijing to Hanoi and Moscow, the holiday — known as the Spring Festival in China, Tet in Vietnam and Seollal in Korea — is a major festival celebrated by diaspora communities around the world. Wednesday marks the start of the Year of the Snake, one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac.

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday noted solid progress the country has made in advancing Chinese modernization amid "complex and challenging" situations over the past 12 months at a

"In the Year of the Dragon, we demonstrated vitality and a can-do spirit. We endured storms and saw the rainbow," said Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.

More than a billion people across the world, from China to the Philippines to diaspora communities in the United States, began celebrating the Lunar New Year on Tuesday with fireworks, family time and feasts. On Wednesday, the first new moon of the Year of the Snake will mark the imminent arrival of spring.

Lunar New Year celebrations begin Wednesday. Here's everything to know about the 2025 Lunar New Year, the Year of the Snake.

A long-time analyst and observer of China and its relations with its neighbourhood in particular, Lintner in his book offers sharp insights into Beijing’s challenges today