Hundreds of millions of people across Asia are celebrating the Lunar New Year, bidding farewell to the Year of the Dragon and ushering in the Year of the Snake.
In China, the Spring Festival is marked by eight consecutive public holidays, offering an opportunity for families to gather, enjoy traditional meals, attend performances, and set off fireworks and firecrackers. Train stations and airports across the country have been bustling as millions return home for the festivities, with this year’s migration expected to set new records.
Throughout East and Southeast Asia, including South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand, high streets, shopping malls, and homes are adorned with red banners believed to ward off evil spirits.
In Taiwan, people of all ages flocked to temples to make offerings of fruit, sweets, and nuts, praying for a smooth, peaceful, and prosperous year ahead. Some even competed to be the first to release incense in a symbolic act for good fortune.
As the celebrations spread across the region, the migration of people to reunite with their families saw record-breaking travel numbers. In South Korea, heavy snowfall disrupted transportation, causing delays for travelers heading to the countryside. Traffic authorities warned that journeys could take significantly longer than usual due to the snow.
Meanwhile, many opted for international travel during the holidays, with over 2.1 million passengers expected to pass through Incheon International Airport during the Lunar New Year period.
The Lunar New Year festivities also extended beyond Earth, as Chinese astronauts aboard the Tiangong space station sent their New Year’s greetings, wishing for dreams to come true in the Year of the Snake.
