PHOTOS: China Prepares For 2012 Lunar New Year
|

The City Wall New Year Lantern Festival, running from January 16 to February 21, is one of the traditional events held to celebrate the lunar new year of the Dragon.

China Prepares For 2012 Lunar New Year
(01 of13)
Open Image Modal
Tourists view lighting decorations at the City Wall New Year Lantern Festival on Jan. 16, 2012 in Xian of Shaanxi Province, China. The City Wall New Year Lantern Festival, running from Jan. 16 to Feb. 21, is one of the traditional events held to celebrate the lunar new year of the Dragon. (China Photos / Getty Images)
(02 of13)
Open Image Modal
Tourists view lighting decorations featuring world-famous historical relics and scenic spots at the City Wall New Year Lantern Festival on Jan. 16, 2012 in Xian of Shaanxi Province, China. The City Wall New Year Lantern Festival, running from Jan. 16 to Feb. 21, is one of the traditional events held to celebrate the lunar new year of the Dragon. (China Photos / Getty Images)
(03 of13)
Open Image Modal
Tourists view lighting decorations featuring the Disneyland at the City Wall New Year Lantern Festival on Jan. 16, 2012 in Xian of Shaanxi Province, China. The City Wall New Year Lantern Festival, running from Jan. 16 to Feb. 21, is one of the traditional events held to celebrate the lunar new year of the Dragon. (China Photos / Getty Images)
(04 of13)
Open Image Modal
Tourists view lighting decorations featuring the Sydney Opera House at the City Wall New Year Lantern Festival on Jan. 16, 2012 in Xian of Shaanxi Province, China. The City Wall New Year Lantern Festival, running from Jan. 16 to Feb. 21, is one of the traditional events held to celebrate the lunar new year of the Dragon. (China Photos / Getty Images)
(05 of13)
Open Image Modal
Tourists view lighting decorations featuring the Statue of Liberty at the City Wall New Year Lantern Festival on Jan. 16, 2012 in Xian of Shaanxi Province, China. The City Wall New Year Lantern Festival, running from Jan. 16 to Feb. 21, is one of the traditional events held to celebrate the lunar new year of the Dragon. (China Photos / Getty Images)
(06 of13)
Open Image Modal
Tourists view lighting decorations featuring dragons at the City Wall New Year Lantern Festival on Jan. 16, 2012 in Xian of Shaanxi Province, China. The City Wall New Year Lantern Festival, running from Jan. 16 to Feb. 21, is one of the traditional events held to celebrate the lunar new year of the Dragon. (China Photos / Getty Images)
(07 of13)
Open Image Modal
Tourists view lighting decorations at the City Wall New Year Lantern Festival on Jan. 16, 2012 in Xian of Shaanxi Province, China. The City Wall New Year Lantern Festival, running from Jan. 16 to Feb. 21, is one of the traditional events held to celebrate the lunar new year of the Dragon. (China Photos / Getty Images)
(08 of13)
Open Image Modal
Tourists view lighting decorations at the City Wall New Year Lantern Festival on Jan. 16, 2012 in Xian of Shaanxi Province, China. The City Wall New Year Lantern Festival, running from Jan. 16 to Feb. 21, is one of the traditional events held to celebrate the lunar new year of the Dragon. (China Photos / Getty Images)
(09 of13)
Open Image Modal
Tourists view lighting decorations at the City Wall New Year Lantern Festival on Jan. 16, 2012 in Xian of Shaanxi Province, China. The City Wall New Year Lantern Festival, running from Jan. 16 to Feb. 21, is one of the traditional events held to celebrate the lunar new year of the Dragon. (China Photos / Getty Images)
(10 of13)
Open Image Modal
Artists of 'Shehuo', a folk performance, perform in front of lighting decorations at the City Wall New Year Lantern Festival on Jan. 16, 2012 in Xian of Shaanxi Province, China. The City Wall New Year Lantern Festival, running from Jan. 16 to Feb. 21, is one of the traditional events held to celebrate the lunar new year of Dragon. (China Photos / Getty Images)
(11 of13)
Open Image Modal
Jan. 17, 2011 shows a woman shopping for Chinese lanterns for the upcoming Chinese New Year of the Dragon in Shanghai. The Lunar New Year begins on Jan. 23 and is the beginning of the Spring Festival holiday. (Peter Parks, AFP / Getty Images)
(12 of13)
Open Image Modal
Jan. 17, 2011 shows a vendor selling lanterns for the upcoming Chinese New Year of the Dragon in Shanghai. The Lunar New Year begins on Jan. 23 and is the beginning of the Spring Festival holiday. (Peter Parks, AFP / Getty Images)
(13 of13)
Open Image Modal
Jan. 17, 2011 shows dragon soft toys on sale for the upcoming Chinese New Year of the Dragon in Shanghai. The Lunar New Year begins on Jan. 23 and is the beginning of the Spring Festival holiday. (Peter Parks, AFP / Getty Images)

To see more great photography visit HuffPost Exposure.

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost