A new virus that started in China and is popping up around Asia and the world hung over the first day of the Year of the Rat.
Workers dismantle a carnival built for a canceled Lunar New Year temple fair at Longtan Park in Beijing, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020. China's most festive holiday began in the shadow of a worrying new virus Saturday as the death toll surpassed 40, an unprecedented lockdown kept 36 million people from traveling and authorities canceled a host of Lunar New Year events.
Temples and parks were decorated with red streamers, paper lanterns and booths, and some places started dismantling the decor amid the cancellations. In an annual tradition, a press of worshipers jostled for position to try to be first in line to plant their incense sticks and say prayers. Some touched a large rat statue decorated with a big red bow.
It's a ritual all over the country to lay flowers and bow to portraits and statues of the Kims, father and son, on public holidays.
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