Residents and tourists packing streets in Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui cheered and applauded as floats, dancers and musicians joined the Lunar New Year parade on Wednesday night, delivering a rousing welcome to the Year of the Snake.

The Lunar New Year parade took place in Tsim Sha Tsui on Wednesday, with Chief Executive John Lee opening the event. In his speech, the Chief

Millions mark Lunar New Year with celebrations in Hong Kong Lunar New Year festivals and prayers marked the start of the Year of the Snake around Asia and farther afield on Wednesday — including in Moscow.

Mainland Chinese guests are staying for shorter periods and continue to prefer cheap local eats, hoteliers say Hong Kong's hotels are reporting occupancy rates of more than 90 per cent over Lunar New Year,