The annual lantern festival at Yuyuan Garden will last for 31 days starting from February 1. The center piece of this year's event is the legendary Monkey King and his Flower and Fruit Mountain. gao erqiang / china daily, Photo provided to China Daily

The most significant aspect of the Spring Festival is not simply about celebrating the start of a new year according to the Chinese Zodiac. Rather, it is a time when families unite under one roof to eat, drink and be merry.

This winter may be China’s coldest in 30 years, but one can rest assured that familial bonds, celebratory toasts and sumptuous home-cooked food during this festive period will no doubt provide some much needed warmth.