Vibrant celebrations across China are ushering in the upcoming Year of the Dragon, with booming sales of festive decorations setting the stage for a joyous and prosperous start to a new lunar year set to begin Feb 10.

Among the 12 zodiac animals of the Chinese lunar calendar, the dragon is a mythical creature that symbolizes prestige and power, and is widely considered an emblem of auspiciousness and good luck.
In anticipation, Shanghai has been ramping up for its Yuyuan Garden lantern show, scheduled to open in mid-January next year. With preparations still ongoing, the exhibition is already taking shape with the emergence of life-sized and elaborate lanterns.
Within the landmark garden, a magnificent blue-indigo dragon lantern takes center stage. Adjacent sits another colorful lantern that at first glance resembles a horse, but is adorned with dragon horns and whiskers. The intricate craftsmanship of these lanterns has already captivated the attention of throngs of visitors coming to share the festive cheer.
The lantern show's true splendor unfolds at sundown, with the lights illuminating the night sky. On one shopping street in the area, schools of multicolored "fish" gather and intertwine overhead, forming a mesmerizing dragon that gracefully meanders between eaves and arches.
"I was amazed when I saw the lanterns. They took my breath away. I am really looking forward to this year's lantern show," exclaimed a local resident.
"It feels like being transported to the prosperous Tang Dynasty," said another resident, referring to a culturally rich period in Chinese history spanning the years 618 to 907.
As the Year of the Dragon approaches, sales of festive decorations have soared. In east China, the bustling Yiwu International Trade Market in Yiwu City, Zhejiang Province, has welcomed purchasers from all corners of the country, flocking to find trendy Chinese New Year and dragon-themed products.
"In this day and age, people's living standards have improved, and they yearn for more exquisite and captivating New Year decorations. So, we need to put more effort into the design, crafting ever more beautiful products," shared Lou Baojuan, president of the Yiwu Chinese New Year Paintings and Calendars Association.
The market hosts the largest distribution center for New Year wall-hanging decorations and calendars in China. This year, the center has experienced a remarkable surge of about 20 percent in transaction volume compared to previous years, with many of its products exported to countries with a large Chinese diaspora, such as Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia.