| The New Year's parade in Hong Kong is an | | | | towering skyscrapers are decked out in |
| event not to be missed! The city is | | | | glittering lights for the holiday. |
| dressed up with bright decorations and | | | | Throughout the three-day celebration, |
| colorful lights for its biggest | | | | dancers in colorful costumes perform |
| celebration of the year, and thousands | | | | lion and dragon dances in the streets, |
| pour into Hong Kong to take part in the | | | | malls and hotel lobbies. Traditionally, |
| festivities. | | | | people exchange small, red envelopes |
| Winding along Hong Kong's picturesque | | | | filled with money as gifts. Flower |
| waterfront, the New Year's parade is | | | | markets show up all over the city during |
| filled with colorful, lavishly decorated | | | | the holiday, selling plants and flowers |
| floats. Representatives from Hong Kong | | | | with special significance, and stores |
| and countries all over the world sing, | | | | and restaurants display flowers meant to |
| dance and play music. The songs of | | | | bring immortality and good luck. |
| marching bands fill the air along the | | | | The New Year celebration usually begins |
| parade's route as performers in bright | | | | anywhere from January 21 to February 19, |
| costumes prance along the streets. | | | | depending on the year. While the |
| The forthcoming year (2006) is the Year | | | | holiday officially lasts fifteen days, |
| of the Dog. No matter which zodiac | | | | in Hong Kong it is celebrated for three |
| animal is being celebrated for the | | | | days, with the New Year's parade taking |
| coming year, there are always plenty of | | | | place on the first day. January 29, 2006 |
| lions and dragons in the parade. | | | | is the first day of the forthcoming new |
| Energetic dancers wearing giant lion | | | | year. |
| heads leap in the air as long dragons | | | | The day after the New Year's parade a |
| held aloft by more than twenty people | | | | brilliant display of fireworks lights up |
| snake past the enthralled parade | | | | Hong Kong's famous Victoria Harbour. The |
| watchers. | | | | fireworks can be viewed from the |
| The New Year's parade is the biggest | | | | waterfront or from boats cruising the |
| event of Hong Kong's Lunar New Year | | | | harbour. On the third day of the |
| celebration. Close to 300,000 people | | | | celebration a large horse race takes |
| attend the parade and millions more | | | | place at the Sha Tin racetrack. This |
| watch it on television. In recent years | | | | lively race is a favorite for gamblers |
| the parade has taken place in the | | | | and horseracing enthusiasts. |
| evening, featuring vivid, dazzling light | | | | It's no wonder why so many travel to |
| displays. | | | | discover all that Hong Kong has to |
| The Lunar New Year is one of Hong Kong's | | | | offer, with the vibrant fusion of |
| most important and well-loved holidays. | | | | ancient customs and modern day fun at |
| Each year one of twelve different | | | | one of the world's biggest Chinese New |
| animals is celebrated, according to the | | | | Year celebrations. |
| Chinese zodiac. Many of the city's | | | | |