BEIJING, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- China ushered in the lunar New Year Wednesday night with indoor and outdoor parties, television specials, fireworks and celebrations.
It is the year of the monkey, a positive sign in Chinese astrology for business and growth.
More than a billion people were expected to be on the move during the two-week holiday, prompting the government to set up checkpoints looking for people who may be infected with the SARS virus, the BBC reported.
Travelers were subject to spot health checks and anyone with a temperature over 100.5 F was banned from boarding planes, trains or buses.
Many Chinese spent New Year's Eve at home, eating traditional foods, playing games and watching a variety show on state television, this year starring Yang Liwei, the nation's first man in space, the BBC said.
