Snapshots

Cascade of fire: A shower of fireworks lights up a traditional dragon dance in Chongqing on Feb 13, expressing hope for a good harvest in the new year. Chen Shichuan / for China Daily

A divine ensemble: Performers rehearse a ceremony to worship the god of heaven at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing on Feb 13. The dance performance will take place from Feb 19 to 23. He Junchang / Xinhua

Appetite for love: Two goats nuzzle a rose on Yuhuang Mountain in Huai'an, Jiangsu province, on Valentine's Day. Zhou Haijun / Xinhua

Bad penmanship: A sea lion practices writing "good luck in the Year of the Sheep" with the guide of a trainer in Ningbo Youngor Zoo in Zhejiang province on Feb 15. Zhang Peijian / for China Daily

Stately gifts: Two Mongolian horses are offered during a handover ceremony at a frontier defense inspection station in Inner Mongolia autonomous region on Feb 12. Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj promised to give the horses to President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan during the couple's visit to Mongolia from Aug 21 to 22 in 2014. Guo Pengjie / for China Daily