As the name suggests, Chinese New Year's Eve is the last night of the year in the Chinese lunar calendar and the day before the Spring Festival, called Chuxi.

It is an extraordinary day in China because the Old Year and New Year meet during this night. Since Chuxi in Chinese means removing the old, most Chinese New Year's Eve activities focus on removing the evil and praying for the best.

Families put up red spring couplets on Chinese New Year's Eve and set off firecrackers and fireworks for a peaceful new year. They also gather for the Spring Festival Eve meal and stay up late or all night on New Year's Eve together.

(By Yang Jiming/Qi Qian)