The Way to the Spring

Passengers head for the exit of a railway station in 南京 (Nánjīng), 江苏省 (Jiāngsū province), China, as this year’s nine-day spring festival holiday comes to an end. Photo: China News Service/Getty Images.

年马年 (Year of the Horse)

A red horse plush toy produced by Happy Sister in the city of 义乌 (Yìwū) in the west of China went viral all around the country because of a manufacturing error that gave it a frown instead of a smile. Photo: 高璇 (Jade Gāo)/AFP/Getty Images.

Dragonfly

Folk dancers perform a dragon dance before the Lunar New Year celebrations in 太仓 (Tàicāng), 江苏省 (Jiāngsū province), China. Photo: AFP/Getty Images.

Snakes in the Wood

It’s almost time to say goodbye to the Year of the Dragon (龙) and welcome the arrival of the Year of the Wood Snake (蛇) that will begin on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. If one believes in horoscopes, it is noteworthy that J. K. Rowling is a Wood Snake and that Voldemort’s most beloved companion, Nagini, was a woman turned into a snake due to a curse for twenty years.

Barbarella fends off killer snakes in a panel from Jean-Claude Forest’s original strip.

卯 (Rabbit)

A lantern featuring a fairy is illuminated during a lantern show at 大唐芙蓉园 (Dàtáng Fúróng Yuán) in 西安 (Xī’ān) before Chinese New Year, the year of the rabbit. Photo: VCG/Getty Images.

Year of the Ox

The 国家大剧院 (National Center for the Performing Arts) is illuminated in 北京 (Běijīng), China, in celebration of the Lunar New Year. Photo: Getty Images.

红灯笼 (Red Lanterns)

A worker at a factory making red lanterns in 泗洪县 (Sìhóng County), 江苏省 (Jiāngsū province), China. Photo: Costfoto/Barcroft Media.

车票 (Ticket to Ride)

杭州 (Hángzhōu), 浙江省 (Zhèjiāng province), China: Passengers gather in 杭州东站 (Hángzhōu East railway station). Millions of Chinese people travel to their home towns to celebrate the Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, with their families. Photo: Reuters.

The Challenge of Dialogue

A panda cub plays with a stuffed toy pig concurrently to the celebrations of the Chinese Lunar New Year of the 豬 (Pig) at the 神树坪大熊猫基地 (Shénshùpíng Giant Panda Base) in 卧龙自然保护区 (Wòlóng National Nature Reserve), 四川省 (Sìchuān province), China on January 31, 2019. Photo: Reuters/中国日报 (China Daily).

Connect the dots

南京 (Nánjīng), China: Aerial view of vehicles queuing at a toll station during the Chinese New Year travel rush. The 40-day travel rush starts from January 21 and lasts until March 1. Photo: 楊波 (Yáng Bō)/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images.

Trains, too, can be seriously uncomfortable, especially for lovers who rebel against a dominant Big Brother subculture

Armed police patrol 汉口站 (Hànkǒu railway station) in 武汉 (Wǔhàn), 湖北省 (Húběi province), China. China is increasing the number of officers at stations, airports and other transportation hubs in preparation for the upcoming 春节 (Spring Festival) travel rush. Photo: Imaginechina/Rex/Shutterstock.

Chasing the Sun

黔东南州 (Qiándōngnán Prefecture), China: Children take part in the 抬官人 (Táiguānrén) Festival to wish for favourable weather in the new year. Photo: VCG/Getty Images.

King’s Rook takes Bishop’s Pawn

上海 (Shànghǎi), China: A girl lies on the glass-bottom platform of the 东方明珠塔 (Oriental Pearl Radio & TV Tower) on the second day of the Chinese New Year holiday, also known as Spring Festival. Photo: Imaginechina/Rex/Shutterstock.

Pray, Edna, whatever you do, don’t forget to take a picture of yourself in your most relaxed position

Go superstar 柯洁 (Kē Jié), along with a horde of sports celebrities such as 惠若琪 (Huì Ruòqí), 傅园慧 (Fù Yuánhuì), 潘晓婷 (Pān Xiǎotíng), 叶诗文 (Yè Shīwén), 张继科 (Zhāng Jìkē), enjoys the sweet tropical sun of 三亚 (Sānyà), 海南省 (Hǎinán Island), China, which is serving as a rehearsal sub-venue for the 2018 CCTV New Year’s Gala to be aired tonight. Photos: sports.sina.com.cn.

No need to wonder who will be your special envoy and photo reporter. Photo: sports.sina.com.cn.

Water and Fire

Two divers perform an underwater 舞龙 (dragon dance) at the S.E.A. Aquarium in Singapore. Photo: Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images.

The Eighth Day of the Week

沈阳 (Shěnyáng), China: A sanitation worker cleans debris from firecrackers on the eighth day of the Lunar New Year. Photo: VCG/Getty Images.

Power from Wind

北京 (Běijīng), China: A vendor sells traditional handheld windmills at a temple fair on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year. Photo: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images.

The Magic of Harry Potter

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: A performer dressed as 黃太后 (Empress Huáng) takes part in celebrations to mark the forthcoming lunar new year and the year of the rooster. Photo: Manan Vatsyayana/AFP/Getty Images.

The Goddess of Spring

上海 (Shànghǎi), China: A giant lantern depicting a rooster is seen among spring festival decorations in 豫园 (Yù Yuán Garden), literally Garden of Happiness. Photo: 阿里宋 (Ālǐ Sòng)/Reuters.

Toad Festival

南充 (Nánchōng), China: A lantern parade to celebrate the Toad festival, a tradition where people send away a symbolic toad figure representing illness and call for good health and a good harvest. Photo: 新华通讯社 (Xīnhuá News Agency/Rex/Shutterstock.

.