Heavy fog continued to shroud China's capital city of Beijing on Saturday morning and visibility was reduced to less than one kilometer, with some areas even being below 40 meters.
The Beijing Meteorological Observatory continued a yellow alert for heavy fog at 06:00 on Saturday morning.
Affected by the dense fog, Beijing Capital International Airport is scheduled for 1,218 flight departures and arrivals, and will handle 194,400 passenger trips on the day.
Meanwhile, Beijing Daxing International Airport also experienced heavy fog. The airport initiated relevant procedures and is fully committed to ensuring flight operations and passenger services.
Due to the thick fog, 22 sections of expressways in Beijing and Hebei, as well as 457 toll stations in Shaanxi, Tianjin, Shanxi, Shandong, Heilongjiang and Jilin had been closed by 09:00.
Dense fog envelops Beijing with poor visibility
The Year of the Horse is inspiring a fusion of Chinese tradition and British creativity across the UK, as one of London's most celebrated Chinese restaurants has brought this blend to life in the kitchen.
Head Chef Zizhong Zhen has put together a Spring Festival tasting menu to celebrate the Year of the Horse. A fusion of Cantonese and British flavors.
Dishes like the octopus salad, complete with a golden horse for prosperity, capture the passion and energy of the zodiac sign.
"We come from China. If we come to the UK and we bring our understanding about cooking to create the food, and let the London customer to enjoy our chefs' dishes," said Zizhong Zhen, head chef of the Hakkasan Mayfair, a Michelin Guide restaurant.
And this is a key part of the dining experience at London's famed Chinese restaurant Hakkasan.
"I don't think there's anything else more important than how food can bridge cultures and bring people together. As long as people remain curious and are not afraid to try and taste new born flavors, it's the best way to connect people," said Yavus Pehlivanlar, CEO of the Hakkasan Group.
Guests from a variety of backgrounds have been invited to a New Year celebration, which includes themed cocktails, red envelopes and a special lion dance.
"I think living in London is such a cultural smorgasbord of every kind of ethnicity, background, culture. So we love to celebrate them all," said a diner.
"It's really my first experience of an event like this. And I love Chinese food. So, Yeah, what a great opportunity. I'm delighted to be here," said another diner.
London hosts some of the world's most vibrant Chinese New Year festivities. Many places in and around the UK's capital have created New Year experiences for customers.
"There has been a huge uplift in social media influences wanting or cooking Chinese food at home or restaurant chefs, whatever, whoever they may be. In that sense, actually a relatively new age wanting to share what we know about our culture with others. That's exploded," said Jeremy Pang, a British-Chinese chef and founder of School of Wok.
The growing global influence of Chinese culture, fueled by tourism and the creative industries, is also inspiring more people to learn more about Chinese New Year.
"One of the things I love about life at the moment is that everyone seems to want to experience everything else. And so Chinese New Year isn't confined to people from China in the same way that New Year's Eve, in the traditional sense, isn't confined to people from our country," said a diner at the Hakkasan Mayfair.
London Chinese restaurant blends tradition with creativity to celebrate Spring Festival
