A fire worshiping ceremony was held on Jan. 17 in Zhenglan Banner, Inner Mongolia autonomous region in north China, to celebrate the traditional Chinese Xiaonian Festival which starts the countdown to the Chinese New Year. The ritual is held to pray for good harvest and fortune for the next lunar year. (Photos: Guan Yongxin/China.org.cn)

A fire worshiping ceremony was held on Jan. 17 in Zhenglan Banner, Inner Mongolia autonomous region in north China, to celebrate the traditional Chinese Xiaonian Festival which starts the countdown to the Chinese New Year. The ritual is held to pray for good harvest and fortune for the next lunar year.

A fire worshiping ceremony was held on Jan. 17 in Zhenglan Banner, Inner Mongolia autonomous region in north China, to celebrate the traditional Chinese Xiaonian Festival which starts the countdown to the Chinese New Year. The ritual is held to pray for good harvest and fortune for the next lunar year.

A fire worshiping ceremony was held on Jan. 17 in Zhenglan Banner, Inner Mongolia autonomous region in north China, to celebrate the traditional Chinese Xiaonian Festival which starts the countdown to the Chinese New Year. The ritual is held to pray for good harvest and fortune for the next lunar year.

A fire worshiping ceremony was held on Jan. 17 in Zhenglan Banner, Inner Mongolia autonomous region in north China, to celebrate the traditional Chinese Xiaonian Festival which starts the countdown to the Chinese New Year. The ritual is held to pray for good harvest and fortune for the next lunar year.

A fire worshiping ceremony was held on Jan. 17 in Zhenglan Banner, Inner Mongolia autonomous region in north China, to celebrate the traditional Chinese Xiaonian Festival which starts the countdown to the Chinese New Year. The ritual is held to pray for good harvest and fortune for the next lunar year.

A fire worshiping ceremony was held on Jan. 17 in Zhenglan Banner, Inner Mongolia autonomous region in north China, to celebrate the traditional Chinese Xiaonian Festival which starts the countdown to the Chinese New Year. The ritual is held to pray for good harvest and fortune for the next lunar year.

A fire worshiping ceremony was held on Jan. 17 in Zhenglan Banner, Inner Mongolia autonomous region in north China, to celebrate the traditional Chinese Xiaonian Festival which starts the countdown to the Chinese New Year. The ritual is held to pray for good harvest and fortune for the next lunar year.

A fire worshiping ceremony was held on Jan. 17 in Zhenglan Banner, Inner Mongolia autonomous region in north China, to celebrate the traditional Chinese Xiaonian Festival which starts the countdown to the Chinese New Year. The ritual is held to pray for good harvest and fortune for the next lunar year.