Chinese New Year Parade in Hong Kong February 8, 2006

One of the best places in the world to celebrate Chinese New Year has to be the island of Hong Kong. Dragon dancers are the star attraction this year, as the annual Chinese New Year Parade hits Wan Chai Harbourfront with a cavalcade of colourful floats, accompanied by performers from all over the world. The forthcoming year (2006) is the Year of the Dog.

Decorated floats, performers, street entertainers, music and dance take over the picturesque harbourfront, spilling out into the streets throughout the city, which is festooned in its finest garb every year. The skyscrapers are bedecked in thousands of glittering lights and you'll see a spectacular variety of seasonal symbols which confer good fortune and happiness, while the sounds of "Kung Hei Fat Choy" and other warm wishes reverberate through the streets. Fireworks over Victoria Harbour mark the end of the parade.

There are also amazing flower displays all over the city, with other parades and markets taking place in Victoria Park on Hong Kong Island and Fahui Park in Mong Kok on Kowloon.