Ritual and performances at China's New Year temple fairs
Ritual and performances at China's New Year temple fairs

Thousands of Chinese mark the start of the new year by flocking to a huge temple fair in Beijing's Ditan Park to watch lively performances and a re-enactment of a Qing dynasty ceremony.

The fairs are a tradition that stretch back to the Liao Dynasty (907-1125), providing entertainment and traditional snacks to revellers.