A colorful look behind China's New Year celebrations
The spectacle of China's longest public holiday doesn't just happen overnight
A worker arranges toy monkeys in a shop on Feb. 4, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
(REUTERS/Olivia Harris)The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is China's most important traditional festival and the country completely shuts down so families can enjoy week
A man makes the traditional "Matang" candy on Jan. 19, in Yuqing County, Zunyi, China.
(REUTERS/China Daily)
A member of a Chinese opera troupe applies make-up before a performance at a shopping mall on Feb. 4 ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand.
(REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha)
A villager prepares sweet potato vermicelli on Jan. 26, in southwest China's Guangzi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
(Lu Boan/Xinhua Press/Corbis)
A worker paints a large incense stick on Jan. 27, in Medan, Indonesia.
(AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara)
A man works on masks used for traditional lion dances at a workshop on Jan. 21, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
(REUTERS/Olivia Harris)
A traditional Fai Chun sign, which boasts phrases of good luck and prosperity, is hand-written on Feb. 4, in Hong Kong.
(Anthony Kwan/Getty Images)
Workers prepare mooncake dough on Feb. 1, in Tangerang, Indonesia.
(REUTERS/Beawiharta)
Folk artist Zhao Yongqi paints a monkey mask at his studio on Jan. 29, in Beijing, China.
(REUTERS/Jason Lee)
A worker makes lanterns at a factory on Jan. 19, in Boai county, Henan province, China.
(REUTERS/China Daily)
