Passengers make long distance phone calls to their families at Chengdu railway station. Local China Mobile opened 12 free long distance telephones for passengers during "Chunyun" (Spring Festival travel period). [Xinhua]
"Lucky gourds", with images of rats painted on, are displayed at the Chinese New Year market in Singapore's Chinatown February 4, 2008. Chinese people all over the world usher in the Lunar New Year on February 7. According to the lunar calendar, 2008 is the "Year of the Rat". [Agencies]
A girl holds up a Chinese paper umbrella during festivities to welcome the Year of the Rat for the upcoming Chinese New Year in Buenos Aires' Chinatown neighborhood February 3, 2008. China will usher in the Chinese Lunar New Year on February 7, according to the lunar calendar. [Agencies]
Two Mickey Mouse lanterns are decorated to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Singapore's Chinatown February 5, 2008. The Chinese New Year will fall on Thursday, February 7 this year. [Xinhua]
Red lanterns are decorated to celebrate the Lunar New Year on Erqi Square of Zhengzhou in Henan Province February 5, 2008. The Chinese New Year will fall on Thursday. [Xinhua]