China's Unique Spring Festival Event -- The Online Spring Festival Gala Evening

BEIJING, Feb. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2013 online CCTV Spring Festival Gala Evening, a truly unique event, was aired on China Network Television (CNTV) on February 9, 2013, the eve of this year's Spring Festival holiday, drawing an audience cutting across every segment of Chinese society.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130222/CN63993)

This year's Lantern Festival -- the 15(th) day of the first lunar month and the day of the year's first new moon -- falls on February 24, and marks the official end of this year's holiday.

2013 is the Year of the Snake, according to the Chinese zodiac. Snakes are viewed as symbols of rebirth and longevity. It is a common belief that snakes will bring good luck and health. In a similar way to how Christmas is celebrated in the West, the Spring Festival is the event that welcomes the arrival of the new year. As an important part of traditional Chinese culture, the celebration of Spring Festival is spreading around the world.