Chinese are celebrating the traditional lunar new year, or Spring Festival, which falls on Sunday this year. In Beijing, many people welcomed the arrival of the Year of the Snake with various celebrations on Saturday.

Fireworks lit the sky to bring good fortune and bells tolled to usher in the new year. Most Chinese spend the eve eating sumptuous banquets, lighting fireworks and chatting with family members while watching the Spring Festival Gala.

This year's gala extravaganza opened with 48 of China Central Television's very own anchors performing and featured some of China's most popular celebrities. Viewed by an audience of more than a billion people, the Gala is without a doubt the most watched show in the world. And it’s become a mainstay of the traditional Chinese family get-together on the Lunar New Year’s eve.