Hundreds of millions across Asia welcome the Year of the Snake

Devotees rushing to plant the first joss stick at the stroke of midnight to usher in the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Snake in Leong Nam temple in Singapore on Jan 28, 2025. - Reuters

BEIJING: Hundreds of millions of people across Asia celebrate the Lunar New Year with their families on Wednesday (Jan 29), as they bid farewell to the Year of the Dragon and usher in the Year of the Snake.

The Chinese enjoy eight consecutive public holidays for the 2025 Spring Festival, an opportunity to share meals, attend traditional performances, and set off firecrackers and fireworks.