(XINHUA)

People in New York City marvel at a traditional Chinese dragon dance costume at the Lincoln Center Square on January 24, the second day of the Chinese Lunar New Year.

2012 is the Chinese Year of the Dragon. A dragon dance was staged at the square as part of the celebrations for the new year, also known as the Spring Festival, China's most important holiday. The festival traditionally lasts half a month, beginning on the first day of the first month according to the Chinese lunar calendar and ending with the Lantern Festival, 15 days later.