U.S. West Coast kicks off annual Chinese Lunar New Year celebration

The largest shopping center, South Coast Plaza on the West Coast of the United States kicked off its 12th Chinese Lunar New Year celebration with a spectacular Year of the Dragon display on Thursday. A photography exhibition was presented by the Consulate General of China in Los Angeles and the China National Tourist Office in Los Angeles, titled "Happy Chinese New Year". 

As part of an annual tradition at the huge shopping mall, a dramatic Lunar New Year centerpiece has been on display since Thursday -- a large dragon, symbolizing power, nobility, honor, luck and success. Chinese Lunar New Year festivities are always the largest and most extensive of any retail center on the West Coast and drawing visitors from throughout California.