An indoor Lunar New Year's Carnival has opened in Hong Kong, and is scheduled to last till this Saturday, the Chinse Lunar New Year's Eve.

Valentine's Day, originally a western holiday, has enjoyed increasing popularity in China, especially among young people.
 
The carnival, the largest of its kind, provides a relaxing occasion for celebration, shopping and recreation for families and tourists.

The organizers say the five-day activity will be divided among women's day, the elder's day, children's day, families' day and lovers' day, one for each day, so as to ease the flow of revelers.

One of the shoppers there expresses her feelings.

"I feel much more comfortable shopping in the carnival this year. It's not as crowded as in the past few years."

To prepare well before the Lunar New Year, Chinese people usually stock a huge variety of festive confectionery, dried marine products, souvenirs, etc. for their own use and as gifts during the festival.

(CRI.cn February 15, 2007)