Folk dance from northwest China's Shaanxi Province was performed at the 2008 Chinese New Year Parade in the city of Sydney, Australia.(Photo: gb.cri.cn) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Jan. 20-- Every year since early 1990s, the city of Sydney holds a Chinese New Year Festival, the largest celebration of its kind outside Asia, attracting tens of thousands of people every time.

    Among the many great Festival events, the Chinese New Year Parade is the most outstanding. I was there last year and stunned by the procession of costumes, lanterns, floats and various art performance such as instrument playing, dancing and martial arts. The dazzling parade was like no other, and I had never seen such a parade in China, in the spring festival.

    This year, it's said that this famous parade will make its first ever move to twilight. Hearing the news, I am excited, as well as worried. Excited and worried about the same question: how it would be like at night, with those lights and illuminations, but obscure face expressions and the color? I just miss the happy expressions on everyone's face and the marvelous color of those costumes.

    Fortunately, there is still the highly-expected performance by artists from one of China's provinces. Last year was Shaanxi, and this year is Henan Province. It's said around 500 talented dancers, musicians and martial artists from Henan will showcase the very best local arts in the Parade, and definitely the martial arts spectacular by Shaolin monks.

    And there will be a fireworks display following the Parade, since it's at night, in celebration of the start of the Year of the Ox, which I am also looking forward to seeing, following the spectacular New Year Eve's fireworks display in the harbor area.

    Guess what? You might even encounter Jackie Chan, the world-known Hong Kong actor in the Parade, who is one of three Festival Ambassadors for this revel.

    Please, don't forget the Parade will start at 7.45 pm, on Sunday 1 February, making its way from Town Hall to Chinatown, Sydney. Come and experience the joy and excitement of the Parade.

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com)