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| Chinese visit temples, fairs to ring in Year of the Monkey | Chinese visit temples, fairs to ring in Year of the Monkey |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| BEIJING — Chinese and others around Asia flocked to temples and fairs to pray for good health and fortune on Monday, the first day of the Lunar New Year. | |
| In Beijing, hundreds of thousands of people visited traditional fairs held in parks, as well as Buddhist and Taoist temples offering singing and dance performances and open-air markets selling handicrafts. Ethnic Chinese people in other countries celebrated the holiday as well. | |
| Monday marks the first day of the Year of the Monkey — the ninth animal on the Chinese zodiac calendar. | Monday marks the first day of the Year of the Monkey — the ninth animal on the Chinese zodiac calendar. |
| The weeklong holiday, known as the Spring Festival in China, is focused on family reunion and is a time when students and migrant workers return to their hometowns. It is the country’s most important holiday. | |
| Dancers dressed in lion costumes entertained the crowds in Manila’s Chinatown, Indonesia’s ethnic Chinese prayed in Jakarta, and the Sydney Opera House was lit red. | |
| Travel agent Meng Su was lining up to burn incense at the Tibetan Buddhist Lama Temple in central Beijing, which is regarded as a popular tradition that brings good luck to those praying. | Travel agent Meng Su was lining up to burn incense at the Tibetan Buddhist Lama Temple in central Beijing, which is regarded as a popular tradition that brings good luck to those praying. |
| “Chinese people revere the power of nature and believe in gods, so we hope to express our blessings and that the gods can hear us,” said Meng, 39. “It’s also a way for us to find some comfort.” | “Chinese people revere the power of nature and believe in gods, so we hope to express our blessings and that the gods can hear us,” said Meng, 39. “It’s also a way for us to find some comfort.” |
| Another Beijing resident, Yan Xiaying, 29, said her mother had a clear target as the pair visited the temple. | Another Beijing resident, Yan Xiaying, 29, said her mother had a clear target as the pair visited the temple. |
| “I guess my mother hopes that I get married soon,” Yan said, with her mother agreeing. | “I guess my mother hopes that I get married soon,” Yan said, with her mother agreeing. |
| Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. | Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |