By contrast, in the south, it is customary to make a new year's cake after dinner and send pieces of it as gifts to relatives and friends. Niangao, a sticky rice pudding which is said to help people "advance to higher positions and prosperity step by step". Its glutinous texture symbolizes cohesion, and emphasizes the hope for close family ties.

Regional customs and traditions to celebrate Chinese new year vary widely across the country.

People of the Mongolian ethnic minority have a "whole roast lamb" to usher in a year of abundance and fulfillment.

The Manchu people's reunion dinner is a famous "Eight Big Bowls" which includes fish, chicken, venison, shrimp and pork.

In northern Shaanxi province, getting ready for the new year can begin as early as the preceding month, with families doing all they can to ensure a smooth and auspicious transition from one year to the next. Their specialities include fried new year cake, steamed bread and bean curd.

Food plays a leading role in everything from festivals to reunions.

People in China's northernmost regions also have their own traditional foods, such as frozen persimmon and the steamed buns stuffed with sweetened bean paste.

People in China's southernmost regions like Guangdong and Hong Kong drink seafood soup and enjoy abalone and dried oysters.

During the week-long celebrations, every household keeps their tables topped up with sweet and savoury specialties so they can welcome family and friends with a choice of festive treats.

This all goes to show how important Spring Festival is in the Chinese Lunar Year.