In pictures: Chinese lantern festival

After the lunar new year, Chinese people have been ushering in the lantern festival. It falls on Thursday, the 15th day of the first lunar month.

As well as viewing lanterns, people take part in riddle guessing games, and watch stilt walking and other performances.

They also eat rice dumplings, symbolising unity. In Taiwan people queued to buy rice balls at a market in Taipei.

In Changchun, people gathered at a temple to pray for good luck in front of burning incense.

This year the Olympic Games, which China is hosting, has been a major theme.

In the north and west of China, people take part in folk celebrations dating back more than 400 years. Here actors dress as ancient officials at a village in Shaanxi Province.

People of all ages take part, both as performers and spectators.

Here two adult performers in Changchun take a cigarette break...

...while their younger counterparts - dressed up as historical or legendary figures - wait to perform.

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