(WEI YAO)

A huge fir tree goes up at the north end of Qianmen Street, south of Tiananmen Square in Beijing, on December 18.

Many shopping malls and restaurants across the country are decorated with Christmas trees, with Santa Clause greeting customers at the entrance and songs such as Jingle Bells gracing their ears. Even a few Chinese are buying Christmas decorations to adorn their homes for the Western holiday.