Fireworks explode over Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour to celebrate Chinese New Year, the Year of the Ox, January 27, 2009. Hundreds of millions of Chinese geared up to welcome the Year of the Ox starting on Monday, packing temple fairs, entertainment parks, setting off fireworks and firecrackers and hurrying to train and bus stations to get home for the traditional holiday. [Agencies]

A general view shows the main square at Yuyuan garden in Shanghai as people visit during the third day of the Chinese New Year holiday in Shanghai January 28, 2009. Hundreds of millions of Chinese geared up to welcome the Year of the Ox starting on Monday, packing temple fairs, entertainment parks, setting off fireworks and firecrackers and hurrying to train and bus stations to get home for the traditional holiday. [Agencies]

Fishermen decorate their boats with national flags and Spring Festival scrolls in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year in Ganyu county, east China's Jiangsu province, Monday January 26, 2009. Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, is the most important traditional Chinese festival that calls for family reunion. It falls on Jan. 26 this year.[Xinhua]

People attend a riddle guessing partyin celebration ofthe Chinese Lunar New Year in the city of Jinan, east China's Shandong province Monday January 26, 2009. Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, is the most important traditional Chinese festival that calls for family reunion. It falls on Jan. 26 this year.[Xinhua]