Millions around the world celebrate Lunar New Year and ring in the Year of the Snake

BEIJING (AP) — Firecrackers popped, incense was offered at temples and dancers and drummers paraded Wednesday in Asia and farther afield as millions around the world celebrated the Lunar New Year.

From Beijing to Havana, the holiday — known as the Spring Festival in China, Tet in Vietnam and Seollal in Korea — is a major festival celebrated in many countries. Wednesday marked the start of the Year of the Snake, one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac.

Throngs of people in down jackets filled a Beijing park for a “temple fair” on a sunny but chilly day. Some rang bells and tossed coins into containers in the shape of gold bars for good luck, while others ate traditional snacks from food stalls and took photos with a person dressed up as the God of Wealth.

The Lunar New Year is a time to wish for good luck and prosperity in the coming year for oneself and others.

“The past year was a very busy one for me, because I had to take care of both my kid and my work,” said Beijing resident Jiang Hecang. "In the Year of the Snake, I wish my kid will grow healthily and my work can remain stable. Then I can be happy enough.”

In Malaysia, the crackling of firecrackers greeted the new year outside Guan Di temple in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, followed by lion dances to the rhythmic beat of drums and small cymbals.

Ethnic Chinese held incense sticks in front of them and bowed several times inside the temple before sticking the incense into elaborate gold-colored pots, the smoke rising from the burning tips.

Hundreds of people lined up on the eve of the Lunar New Year at the Wong Tai Sin Taoist temple in Hong Kong in a bid to be among the first to put incense sticks in the stands in front of the temple’s main hall at 11 p.m.

“I wish my family will be blessed. I hope my business will run well. I pray for my country and wish people peace. I hope this coming year is a better year,” said Ming So, who visits the temple every year for the late-night ritual.

Online, Google joined in with the festivities Wednesday by featuring the classic snake game on its homepage.

Many Chinese who work in bigger cities return home during the eight-day national holiday in what is described as the world’s biggest annual movement of humanity. The exodus turns Beijing, China's capital, into a bit of a ghost town, with many shops closed and normally crowded roads and subways emptied.

Traditionally, Chinese families gather for a festive dinner at home on New Year's Eve. On the Lunar New Year, many visit temples to pray and attend temple fairs to watch performances and buy snacks, toys and other trinkets.

“I bring my children here to experience the atmosphere, because the New Year atmosphere ... is fading,” Beijing resident Wang Xinxin said at a temple fair at Ditan Park, the former Temple of Earth in the Ming and Qing dynasties.

“Children like mine don’t have much idea what New Year was like in Beijing before, but here we can still see some elements of it,” Wang said.

The government has curtailed non-official celebrations, with major cities outlawing the noisy firecrackers that once reverberated around Beijing and left some blocks enshrouded in smoke.

Many Chinese take advantage of the extended holiday to travel in the country and abroad. Ctrip, an online booking agency that operates Trip.com, said the most popular overseas destinations this year are Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, the United States, South Korea, Macao and Vietnam.

In Moscow, Russians cheered, waved and took smartphone photos of drummers, costumed dancers and long dragon and snake figures held aloft in a colorful procession that kicked off a 10-day Lunar New Year festival on Tuesday night.

The Chinese and Russian governments have deepened ties since 2022, in part to push back against what they see as U.S. dominance of the world order.

Visitors shouted “Happy New Year” in Russian and expressed delight at being able to experience Chinese food and culture in Moscow, including folk performances and booths selling snacks and artwork.

Cuba’s small Chinese community celebrated the Lunar New Year on Tuesday night with a parade of glowing lanterns and dragons winding their way through the narrow streets of Chinatown.

The island was once home to one of the largest and oldest Chinese communities in the Americas. Now, a much smaller community celebrates major holidays with a Cuban twist, blending rum and cigars with traditional Chinese cuisine.

Associated Press video journalists Wayne Zhang in Beijing; Alice Fung in Hong Kong; Syawalludin Zain in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Vladimir Kondrashov in Moscow; and Milexsy Durán and Ariel Fernández in Havana contributed to this story.

A visitor offers prayer at a Chinese temple to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year which marks the Year of the Snake on the Chinese zodiac Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, at China Town in Yokohama, south of Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

The usually busy stairs at a train station are empty as most people working in Beijing have left to celebrate with their families at home for the coming Lunar New Year in China on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

A usually busy road is almost empty as most people working in Beijing have left to celebrate with their families at home for the coming Lunar New Year in China on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

People burn incense as they offer prayer on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year at the Dongyue Temple in Beijing on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

People touch during a lion dance performance at the Dongyue Temple on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year in Beijing on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

People write wishes on a red cloth roll as people visit a temple fair held at the Dongyue Temple on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year in Beijing on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

People tour by stores as they visit a temple fair held at the Dongyue Temple on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year in Beijing on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

A man cheers a child with a wooden windmill toy as people visit a temple fair held at the Dongyue Temple on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year in Beijing on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

A woman touches bells for luck as people gather at the Ditan Temple Fair on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year in Beijing on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

People place incenses at Quan Su pagoda on the first day of the Lunar New Year in Hanoi, Vietnam Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

People pray on the first day of the Lunar New Year at Quan Su pagoda in Hanoi, Vietnam Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

A performer juggles plates during a presentation at the crowded Ditan Temple Fair on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year in Beijing on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

People watch as an artist performs an acrobatic lion dance at the Dongyue Temple on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year in Beijing on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

An artist shouts as he performs an acrobatic lion dance at the Dongyue Temple on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year in Beijing on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Chinese artists perform a lion dance at the Dongyue Temple on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year in Beijing on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Worshippers visit a temple to pray on the first day of the Lunar New Year celebrations in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)

Worshippers visit a temple to pray on the first day of the Lunar New Year celebrations in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)

Chinese artists perform a lion dance during a Lunar New Year celebration at Chinatown in Yangon, Myanmar, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw)

A lion dance head is displayed to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year which marks the Year of the Snake on the Chinese zodiac Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, at China Town in Yokohama, south of Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Malaysian ethnic Chinese pray on the first day of Lunar New Year at Guandi Temple, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

A woman in a traditional costume prays on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year at Lama Temple in Beijing on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

A man holding incense sticks prays on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year at Lama Temple in Beijing on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Chinese people offer candles and pray at a temple during their New Year day of the Snake at Chinatown in Yangon, Myanmar, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw)

People holding incense sticks pray on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year at Lama Temple in Beijing on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

An Ethnic Chinese Thai lights joss sticks at Trai Mit Temple to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Ethnic Chinese Thais pray at Leng Nuei Yee Temple to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Worshippers burn incense sticks to pray at a temple on the first day of the Lunar New Year celebrations in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)

Ethnic Chinese Thai lay down candles after praying at the Leng Nuei Yee temple to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

People bow to respect for their ancestors in North Korea, on the Lunar New Year near the military barbed-wire fence at the Imjingak Pavilion in Paju, South Korea, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

A woman takes photos as she visits the Ditan Temple Fair on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year in Beijing on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

A Malaysian ethnic Chinese family takes picture on the first day of Lunar New Year at Guandi Temple, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

A performer dressed in a lion costume scares a girl as he dances the traditional Chinese Lion Dance at the start of Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Havana, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

A man holding incense sticks prays on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year at Lama Temple in Beijing on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

An Ethnic Chinese Thai prays at Kwong Siew Shrine to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers know their high-powered offense will need to carry the load if they are going to make a deep playoff run.

The performance in their first game back from the bye week was just the kind of game the Niners will need.

Brock Purdy threw three touchdown passes and the 49ers started the stretch run of their season with a 37-24 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

“For us every single game, with the guys that we have on the field, that’s our standard is to go out to move the ball, put up points, regardless of who we’re playing," Purdy said. "We know that we’re talented and we have guys across the board — receiver, tight end, running back. For us, that’s always going to be our standard.”

The 49ers (10-4) came back from their bye week and looked extremely sharp on offense against the overmatched Titans (2-12) by scoring on their first five possessions of a game for the first time since the 2021 season.

Purdy threw two touchdown passes to Jauan Jennings, another on a 1-yard jump pass to George Kittle that coach Kyle Shanahan said he usually gives his quarterback a hard time for trying.

“But when it works, we call him Michael Jordan,” Shanahan said. “We like cleats and being able to drive the ball like that. But sometimes he’s got to use another club and it’s cool that he’s got that.”

Purdy finished 23 for 30 for 295 yards and converted four first downs with his legs, including a 26-yard scramble that was the longest run of the season for the Niners.

“Brock was awesome today,” said Christian McCaffrey, who scored on a 1-yard TD run. “He did a great job commanding the huddle, made some plays with his feet, which were great. He threw the ball downfield well and guys made plays. Brock was Brock.”

Rookie Cam Ward threw a touchdown pass to Gunnar Helm in the second quarter and another in the fourth to defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons. Ward finished with 170 yards passing as the Titans were unable to build on the momentum from a win over Cleveland last week and remained in a three-way tie for the worst record in the NFL. Tennessee hasn't won back-to-back games since November 2022.

The Titans blew a good opportunity late in the first half when Ward missed a wide-open Van Jefferson on a deep shot and then Joey Slye missed a 50-yard field goal on the final play of the half to keep San Francisco's lead at 17-10.

The Niners extended the lead to 14 points when Purdy connected with Jennings for the second time on the opening possession. Tennessee went three-and-out on its first two drives of the half and never had a chance at a comeback with the Niners controlling the ball by converting 9 of 15 third downs.

“You’ve got to be able to get off the field,” interim coach Mike McCoy said. “When you convert at that high rate, that percentage, it’s tough. That’s when you give up all the points. So you’ve got to be able to get off the field on third down.”

Simmons put together an impressive stat line in a losing effort.

He recorded a strip sack against Purdy early in the fourth quarter and then caught a 1-yard TD pass on the ensuing possession for his second career touchdown reception.

This marked just the sixth time since sacks became official in 1982 that a player had a sack, a forced fumble and a TD catch in the same game with J.J. Watt doing it twice in 2014 for Houston, with Mike Vrabel (2007), Jared Allen (2017) and Barry Krauss (1982) the others to do it.

Titans: Three safeties left with injuries in the first half and didn't return: Xavier Woods (hamstring), Mike Brown (ankle) and Kevin Winston (hamstring). ... G Kevin Zeitler (groin), WR Van Jefferson (back) and LB Cedric Gray (concussion) all left in the second half.

49ers: DT Jordan Elliott was scratched after injuring his knee before the game. ... WR Ricky Pearsall hurt his ankle on the first play from scrimmage, but returned to catch six passes for 96 yards. He left the game late with a knee injury that the team is hopeful is just minor. ... OL Spencer Burford hurt his ankle, but returned.

Titans: Host Kansas City on Sunday.

49ers: Visit Indianapolis on Dec. 22.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) escapes pressure from San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Kalia Davis, right, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) makes a touchdown catch in the end zone during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) celebrates his touchdown with running back Christian McCaffrey, left, during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)