In pictures: Chinese New Year

A midnight firework display near an ancient timekeeping bell tower in Beijing, ushers in the New Year.

Families thronged Beijing's temple fairs and set off firecrackers to ring in an auspicious Year of the Dog.

A girl dons a colourful dress to take part in festivities in the Chinese capital.

In Hong Kong, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse join the festive mood at the Disneyland park.

Worshippers line up to pray and throw their incense sticks in an incense burner in Taipei, Taiwan.

Elsewhere, ethnic Chinese burn incense sticks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Chinese dragon dancers entertain onlookers through the streets of Chinatown in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo.

An ethnic Chinese worshipper prays at a Buddhist temple in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Performers carry out a dragon dance through the streets of Chinatown in Manila, the Philippines.

Chinese in South Africa perform a dragon dance at Nau Hua Temple in Bronkhstspruit, 100km north of Johannesburg.

Dancers perform a dragon dance in Trafalgar Square, in London, UK.