<div>Chinese flocked to temples and fairs to pray for good health and fortune today, the first day of the Lunar New Year.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Today marks the first day of the Year of the Monkey, the ninth animal on the Chinese zodiac calendar.<br />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, equivalent to Christmas for many in the West.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />"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."<br /><br />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. <br /></div>
<div>Chinese flocked to temples and fairs to pray for good health and fortune today, the first day of the Lunar New Year.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Today marks the first day of the Year of the Monkey, the ninth animal on the Chinese zodiac calendar.<br />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, equivalent to Christmas for many in the West.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />"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."<br /><br />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. <br /></div>